Build Relationships Versus Sell
Every business can stand to gain immensely from building a network of customers, partners, and distributors. However, most entrepreneurs spend more time focusing on adding to the networking than cultivating a robust relationship with existing customers. That’s a big mistake; relationship building can much more for your business than selling.
Here are a few benefits of developing trusted relationships with existing connections rather than concentrate on selling:
1. Relationship building promotes brand loyalty
Today’s tech-savvy customers are looking for value and experience from brands. In fact, most millennials are more inclined towards experience than quality or even the cost. They want a brand that reaches out and cares for them. That’s where relationship building can come in quite handy.
2. It bolsters you as the authority in the niche or industry
Becoming an industry’s thought leader is no walk in the park. You need to cultivate trust relationship with the customer, share insights, and provide more value beyond your product. If you sell beauty products, for instance, you can establish yourself among customers has the authority when it comes to skin care or skin vitality.
3. Relationships help you grow your brand
Selling doesn’t add to your brand visibility. Relationship building, on the other hand, can do wonders for your credibility and brand’s public image.
4. It’s a great way to generate referrals
Relationship building can help you get more referrals so you can build your business, enhance customer loyalty, and expand your territory.
5 Tips for Effective Relationship Building
1. Be a Good Listener
Customers have a lot to say about your brand and products. If given a chance, they can air our their concerns and give helpful feedback. That is why it is crucial to pay close attention to their opinions. In fact, when it comes to building customer relationships, it’s best to listen and ask questions accordingly rather than talk the whole time. This way, you will be able to address their concerns better.
2. Always Seek Feedback
In today’s highly competitive product market, feedback is the backbone of innovation and, thus, customer satisfaction. Seek feedback to find out if your brand is on-point, and what the customer is looking for. As such, you can figure out small changes you can make to better serve the customer.
3. Research Using Social Media
Social media is a melting pot of engagements, sharing, and connection. You can leverage the power of social media to learn more about the interests of your target market. Even better, use the opportunity to bond and create robust relationships.
4. Respond to Customer Concerns/Queries Pronto
By responding immediately, you’re showcasing that the customer is your first priority. It often fascinating to the customers to learn that you’re paying keen attention to what they have to say. Besides, faster responses help keep the customer in the loop.
5. Entice
Be prepared to add value to your relationship with the customer. It can be something as trivial as offering a small discount on the purchase or posting valuable blogs every now and then. You can even share links to resources that your ideal customer can find useful.