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Chris Brogan on How to Build Deeper Relationships With Your Customers Online
In the 1990s, the internet was a bunch of banners and brochures. Now we have social networks, which allow for much richer two-way interactions. Instead of just signposts on the web, we have the opportunity to build outposts where people can be seen and heard. Here’s my advice on how to use both tools effectively.
Your main site is your home base There are two things your website should do well: execute a solid call to action and give people a way to connect with you further. Stop reading this article for a moment and bring up your own site. If you squint at it–or if I squint at it–will either of us know what you want me to do next? If not, fix it. That’s your first opportunity to do business with me. No matter how complex your business, your site should give visitors a really clear and obvious action to take.
Second, how easy have you made it for me to contact you? That’s your second chance to get my business. Rethink your contact options.
The purpose of a great home base is that people who talk with you on the various social networks will feel warm and comfortable about taking the next steps with you. Most people’s websites are cluttered, making it unclear what users are supposed to do next. Yours will be different once you have the top two items in hand.
Social progress Top social media accomplishments reported by small businesses in 2010 59 percent Identifying and attracting new customers 61 percent Developing a higher awareness of the business in a market 63 percent Staying engaged with customers
Social networks are outposts If you think of social networks as places where things other than your business happen, then you’re starting to get how this all works. People aren’t there to find you. They’re there for their own purposes. Your job is to have an outpost there and to listen, so that when someone expresses a need you can address, you’ll have the ability to start a relationship. This is what I mean by talking signs. Your outpost shouldn’t just contain a bunch of witty advertising. Your Facebook page should consist of more than well-crafted offers.
The real win is in making relationships that stick. At the outposts, the goal is not to talk about yourself and your offers. It’s about engaging with others, making relationships and being accessible, should the need arise. Some tips:
Connecting Matters In last month’s column, I talked about bridging your company’s on- and offline presence. These talking signs are my way of helping you bridge social networks to your main website of preference. With all this connectivity, your efforts to communicate and build relationships will translate to business faster. It’s how I do what I do, and it can work for you.
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