Monday, November 30, 2009

The Art of (Client) Conversation

It can be tough to carry on a good conversation at a dinner party, social event, soccer game or online. Above all, it can be especially challenging in business. However, the impact of a productive, positive conversation with your customers can be very valuable.

I think it is an effective marketing tool that is underestimated and even often overlooked. The idea of give and take communication between you and your client has numerous advantages including building brand loyalty, encouraging first-rate customer service and providing another opportunity to promote your specialized services.

Whether it is via Twitter, Facebook, email campaigns, etc., keeping up a productive exchange gives you an ideal opportunity to learn about your customers’ likes and dislikes, preferences, buying habits, etc. The more you know, the more effectively you can sell and ramp up your own efforts.

So how do you engage your customers in discussion? Social networking is a great place to start. And, with its growing popularity and dedicated users, it makes communication an easy, non-invasive process. Email campaigning can be a successful vehicle as well. To be effective, be sure to be relevant, be a good listener, ask lots of questions and read between the lines.
Think about this when considering your current marketing efforts. Everyone likes to be heard and be understood. I believe it can do great things for your business. So, on that note, please feel free to pass this advice forward and email me back. I welcome your comments and am always up for a good chat.

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