{"id":317,"date":"2021-10-07T14:28:20","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T14:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demosites.io\/neve-3\/?p=317"},"modified":"2023-02-11T20:37:51","modified_gmt":"2023-02-11T20:37:51","slug":"post-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/2021\/10\/07\/post-2\/","title":{"rendered":"10 ways to Connect your Business better!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1>How to Connect With Customers<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.business.com\/rc\/50x50\/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWFnZXMuYnVzaW5lc3NuZXdzZGFpbHkuY29tL2FwcC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjIvMDQvMDQwNzE5NDIvQklPLmpwZw==\" alt=\"Sammi Caramela\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sammi Caramela<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Business News Daily&nbsp;Contributing Writer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Updated Jan 23, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Follow these 10 strategies to strengthen your connection to your customers.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Connect with customers through customized interactions and active responses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You should reach customers where they are (e.g., face to face, phone, social media).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show customers that you appreciate them, and elicit feedback through customer surveys.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>This article is for small business owners who want to connect better with their customers.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your customers drive your business, which is why it\u2019s so important to note how they interact with your brand. Don\u2019t just reach out to them when you want their business; find ways to continuously show them you care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/09\/06105022\/Follow-these-10-strategies-to-strengthen-your-connection-to-your-customers.png\" alt=\"Graphic of a businessperson holding a magnet\" class=\"wp-image-20960\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Jessica Alba, founder and CEO of&nbsp;The Honest Company, believes brands can learn a lot by staying connected and listening to their customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think it\u2019s important for brands, especially brands [that] are really consumer-centric, to stay connected,\u201d Alba shared at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanexpress.com\/en-us\/business\/trends-and-insights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Express OPEN<\/a>&nbsp;Success Makers Summit&nbsp;for Business Platinum Card Members. \u201cCustomers tell you so much from their behavior and how they shop with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are 10 effective ways to connect with your customers and build lasting relationships that can&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/5833-how-to-keep-customers.html\">keep them loyal<\/a>&nbsp;to your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>https:\/\/widgets.business.com\/qt-widget-v2\/index.html?pubId=1001&#038;offerGroupId=16&#038;widgetHostPage=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessnewsdaily.com%2F10330-connect-with-customers.html&#038;isHeadlineVisible=true&#038;viewType=default&#038;hasBestPickBadge=false<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"1-dont-use-a-one-size-fits-all-approach\">1. Don\u2019t use a one-size-fits-all approach.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/15957-small-business-customer-relationship-management.html\">You want your customers to feel special<\/a>, and you can achieve&nbsp;this by approaching each one as an individual rather than just another customer. Grouping all your consumers together will only express inauthenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn our messaging, we will treat a heavy user of our app differently than a light user,\u201d said Jon Ziglar, CEO of&nbsp;ParkMobile. \u201cWe treat a new user differently than a veteran user. We try to make the messages as relevant as possible to that specific person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072253\/V1-Info-Navy-2.png\" alt=\"Key Takeaway\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Key takeaway:<\/strong>&nbsp;Customizing your user interactions improves relevance and authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"2-respond-to-concerns\">2. Respond to concerns.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/09\/06105421\/Respond-to-concerns.png\" alt=\"graphic of a smartphone with word bubbles popping out of it\" class=\"wp-image-20964\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t just be available when your business is doing well or your customers are satisfied. If you want customers to trust and respect you, you need to earn it by proving your dedication to making them happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, ParkMobile received a one-star review from a man who complained that the app was inconvenient and took time away from his date. Instead of ignoring the comment or making excuses, Ziglar said, they&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/9187-respond-to-online-reviews.html\">contacted the reviewer directly<\/a>&nbsp;to express their remorse and offered a gift card to the exact restaurant where he had been that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHe really appreciated the gesture, and we turned a \u2018hater\u2019 into a huge ParkMobile advocate,\u201d said Ziglar. \u201cHe even let us feature his story in a social media campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072250\/V1-Info-Navy.png\" alt=\"Tip\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Responding to customer concerns builds trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"3-go-above-and-beyond\">3. Go above and beyond.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ziglar\u2019s story about his interaction with the unhappy-patron-turned-advocate leads us to our next tip: Go above and beyond for your customers. As a small business owner, you will likely have a close connection to your customers, and you can use this to your advantage. Offer special discounts for customer loyalty, recommend specific products based on what you&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/4890-customer-engagement-tips.html\">know about a customer\u2019s interests<\/a>, and always remedy an unpleasant experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some customers will have a negative experience with your brand. However, your job is to ensure your customer or client\u2019s experience ends well. Exceptional customer support will keep them coming back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSometimes, you have to go above and beyond to build raving fans of your business,\u201d Ziglar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072250\/V1-Info-Navy.png\" alt=\"Tip\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Going above and beyond for customers can increase their perception and loyalty to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"4-follow-up\">4. Follow up.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/09\/06105129\/Follow-up.png\" alt=\"graphic of a person on a laptop screen with a paper airplane flying in the background\" class=\"wp-image-20961\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Following up is an easy way to earn customers\u2019 appreciation. No one likes to file a complaint or ask a question, only to hear radio silence. Respond to customers throughout their buying journey so they build a connection with you. This is also a great way to keep your business top of mind for your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If an existing customer purchases a new or unique product, follow up with them to make sure they enjoyed it. Thank customers for doing business with you. Everyone likes to feel acknowledged. Follow-up is also a great way to identify unhappy customers before their unsatisfactory experience ends with a negative review online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072252\/V1-Info-Navy-1.png\" alt=\"Did you know?\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Did you know?:<\/strong>&nbsp;Following up with customers communicates to them that they matter and helps you identify poor customer experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>5. Keep it personal, not transactional.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Peelu Shivaraju, the owner and operator of a&nbsp;Money Mailer&nbsp;franchise in Michigan, says&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/15981-what-is-marketing-automation.html\">being more personal with customers<\/a>&nbsp;strengthens your bonds with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than being aggressive when selling, try to be more consultative and conversational so clients understand your intentions are pure, Shivaraju recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNobody likes a salesperson,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t go in talking about your product; go in and ask them questions about their business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072253\/V1-Info-Navy-2.png\" alt=\"Key Takeaway\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Key takeaway:<\/strong>&nbsp;Speaking to your customers in a conversational and personal tone can improve their perception of your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"6-focus-on-face-to-face-interactions\">6. Focus on face-to-face interactions.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/09\/06104924\/Focus-on-face-to-face-interactions.png\" alt=\"Graphic of two businesspeople shaking hands\" class=\"wp-image-20958\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s common to experience miscommunications when using technology as the primary source of contact. While emails and telephone calls are convenient, nothing beats face-to-face contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can understand your customers better in person than over the phone or through a screen. Shivaraju makes it a point to drop in on clients to introduce himself and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/15957-small-business-customer-relationship-management.html\">establish both a professional and personal relationship<\/a>&nbsp;with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI like to get to know my clients, what their businesses are all about,\u201d he said. \u201cI do a lot of research about their business and ask them lots of questions to genuinely show interest. I want to learn everything I can to know how best to help their business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easier to learn about a client by talking to them in person. However, some people feel more comfortable speaking to you from a distance. Shivaraju advised asking your clients what their preferred method of communication is and sticking with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072250\/V1-Info-Navy.png\" alt=\"Tip\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Use a customer\u2019s preferred method of communication to maintain a positive relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"7-be-active-on-social-media\">7. Be active on social media.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Companies benefit from having social media accounts; however, simply having a social media account is not enough \u2013 you need to be actively engaged. A recent survey shows that&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketingdive.com\/news\/90-of-people-buy-from-brands-they-follow-on-social-media-study-says\/577882\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">40% of users expect a brand to respond to them within the first hour<\/a>&nbsp;of connecting, and nearly 80% expect a response within the first 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many shoppers see whether a company has an online presence before they will do business with them. Customers are already&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/7832-social-media-for-business.html\">using social media platforms<\/a>&nbsp;to browse new products, leave reviews and share favorite items with their friends, and you should meet them where they are. Interacting on social media can help your company\u2019s brand shine, and it is a great way to stay on your customers\u2019 minds and feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Customers are constantly reviewing and talking about brands on social media, and there is a good chance your company will be the topic of discussion at one point or another. Actively engaging customers on social media and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/7832-social-media-for-business.html\">responding to social media comments<\/a>&nbsp;are great ways to direct the narrative about what is being said about your brand. It can also allow you to resolve negative comments as soon as they arise.&nbsp;<strong>[Read related article:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/7832-social-media-for-business.html\">Social Media for Business: A Marketer\u2019s Guide<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your specific platforms will depend on your brand and following (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072252\/V1-Info-Navy-1.png\" alt=\"Did you know?\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Did you know?:<\/strong>&nbsp;Create social media accounts on your customers\u2019 platforms. Respond quickly to questions and concerns that come in from customers through these channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"8-grow-with-your-current-clients-in-mind\">8. Grow with your current clients in mind.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/09\/06105256\/Grow-with-your-current-clients-in-mind.png\" alt=\"graphic of businesspeople in a presentation with a rocket ship on a screen in the background\" class=\"wp-image-20962\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If your customers are happy, your business will continue to develop. Shivaraju said not to get too caught up in quick growth, especially if it means giving less attention to clients and jeopardizing your customer service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI understand that business owners are always busy, so I always try to work around their schedules,\u201d he said.&nbsp;\u201cAll new clients get a follow-up visit after the first mailing goes out, as well as another in a few months to see how it\u2019s going. As long as [clients] give me a reasonable window of time, I\u2019ll always make myself available at a time and place of their choosing. My clients always come first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072253\/V1-Info-Navy-2.png\" alt=\"Key Takeaway\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Key takeaway:<\/strong>&nbsp;Prioritizing your existing customers over acquiring potential customers is a great way to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/15957-small-business-customer-relationship-management.html\">build long-term loyalty<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"9-show-your-appreciation\">9. Show your appreciation.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as you would with supportive friends and family, make sure your customers know you recognize their importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shivaraju appreciates two important groups of people: \u201cThe first is to my clients. They pay me money, so it\u2019s my responsibility to create the best possible ad I can for their business and get them high-quality new leads. The second is to the consumers of my product. I need to have my envelopes filled with quality hyperlocal content, filled with businesses that me and my family are comfortable doing business with so that they get opened and used.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shivaraju mails out envelopes to his consumers, thanking them for purchasing local goods and services. He also recommended sending holiday cards and discounts to show gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072250\/V1-Info-Navy.png\" alt=\"Tip\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Showing customers that you appreciate them can improve their connection to your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"10-survey-your-customers\">10. Survey your customers.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/09\/06105505\/Survey-your-customers.png\" alt=\"graphic of a businessperson pointing to a smiling face icon on a tablet screen\" class=\"wp-image-20965\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A great way to stay informed about your customers\u2019 wants and needs is by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessnewsdaily.com\/15948-types-of-business-surveys.html\">sending out surveys<\/a>. For example, your business can send out occasional customer surveys to elicit customer feedback on what products they like best, what changes should be made to existing products and what products should be added to your line. When your customers feel like they have input on what you are providing, it can help build loyalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, surveying your customers can help improve your overall product or service offering and cater to your customers\u2019 wants. This can result in higher sales, which means more money in your pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.businessnewsdaily.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/04\/04072252\/V1-Info-Navy-1.png\" alt=\"Did you know?\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"><strong>Did you know?:<\/strong>&nbsp;Use customer surveys to gain customer insight and improve your offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Skye Schooley contributed to the writing and reporting in this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Connect With Customers Sammi Caramela Business News Daily&nbsp;Contributing Writer Updated Jan 23, 2023 Follow these 10 strategies to strengthen your connection to your customers. Your customers drive your business, which is why it\u2019s so important to note how they interact with your brand. Don\u2019t just reach out to them when you want their&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/2021\/10\/07\/post-2\/\" class=\"\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">10 ways to Connect your Business better!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":349,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_ti_tpc_template_sync":false,"_ti_tpc_template_id":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[10,13],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/neve-demo-image-26.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=317"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":500,"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/317\/revisions\/500"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.buzzwing.net\/tap\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}