Written by Thomas Norris
As salespeople, it\'s essential to cultivate relationships with customers and turn them into advocates. Advocates are customers who enjoy your product or service enough to actively recommend it to their friends and contacts. They are invaluable because they can be your strongest source of new customers, and they can also act as a form of social proof to convince potential customers.
Getting customers to the point of advocacy isn\'t easy, but it\'s worth the effort. Here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Leverage Your Existing Customer Base
Your existing customer base is your most valuable asset when it comes to turning them into advocates. They already know and trust your product, so it\'s easier to convince them to spread the word. Start by surveying your existing customers to find out their opinions and feedback. Ask them open-ended questions like, “What do you think of our product?” and “What would you like to see improved?”
You can also offer incentives to your customers for referring new customers. This could be a discount or free product. Make sure the incentive is something your customers actually want and will use.
2. Give Your Customers a Voice
Giving your customers a voice is a great way to get them involved and build relationships. Ask customers to make product recommendations, submit reviews, or share their stories. This gives them a sense of ownership and makes them feel like they are part of the process.
You can also use customer feedback to create content for your website or social media accounts. This will show potential customers that you value your customers and their opinions.
3. Make It Easy to Share
Once you\'ve gotten customers to the point of being satisfied, make it easy for them to share their positive experiences. Provide them with easy-to-use sharing tools, such as social media buttons or referral links.
You can also create a referral program to reward customers for referring their friends. This could be in the form of discounts or free products. Make sure the incentives are attractive enough to entice customers to share.
4. Follow Up
Once you\'ve gotten customers to the point of advocacy, don\'t let them forget about you. Follow up with them regularly to thank them for their support and ask how they\'re doing. This will help to keep your customers engaged and involved.
You can also use this as an opportunity to ask them for feedback or ask them to refer new customers. It\'s important to make sure they feel appreciated and that their opinions are valued.
5. Make It Personal
Finally, make sure you\'re personalizing your interactions with customers. Try to get to know them as individuals and make sure they feel like they\'re more than just a number. This will make them feel valued and appreciated, which will encourage them to become advocates for your product.
Conclusion
Advocates are invaluable to salespeople. By leveraging your existing customer base, giving customers a voice, making it easy to share, following up, and making it personal, you can turn satisfied customers into advocates. It may take some effort, but it will be worth it in the long run.