Nurturing Customer Relationships through Social Media for Startup Growth

Nurturing Customer Relationships through Social Media for Startup Growth

The stages of the marketing funnel may alter a little for each organisation, but the objectives are always the same: to attract potential consumers' attention, inform them of your company, turn them into paying customers, and maintain their loyalty.

Social media, which has more than 3.4 billion users globally, is an effective tool to reach new individuals and move them through the funnel. Additionally, it complements your other marketing initiatives, making it an important part of your integrated marketing strategy.

Here are a few strategies for using social media to develop and maintain relationships with your audience over the course of their purchasing process.

Boost awareness

The goal of the awareness-building stage of the marketing funnel is to reach as many individuals as possible. As prospective clients get more aware with your company, the likelihood that they'll consider you when they require the goods or services you offer increases.

• Promote your company by posting links to your website or online store on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms where your potential consumers may be, and by enlisting the help of your current followers to do the same. (Tip: Mailchimp allows you to immediately generate, publish, and schedule organic Facebook and Instagram posts.)
• Create tailored Facebook and Instagram advertising that cater to a particular audience, such as those who fall inside a given age range or reside in a certain area. With the help of these advertisements, you can introduce your brand to the people you're aiming to reach, familiarise them with it, and increase traffic to both your social media profiles and website.

Show the value of your product or service

A potential client will proceed to the contemplation stage of the sales funnel if they are aware of your company. Since they've already expressed interest in knowing more, now is the ideal time to demonstrate the benefits of your offering and win their business.

• Although social media ads increase the number of visitors to your website, there is no assurance that they will convert to paying clients right away. Fortunately, making retargeting advertisements that will lure them back when they're ready to buy is simple. Visitors will see your advertisement as they browse Facebook, Instagram, or Facebook's Audience Network if you add the Facebook ad pixel to your connected site (or landing page) and create a retargeting ad in Mailchimp.
• You can also use organic material, such as customer reviews, ratings, and testimonials, to expand your social media audience. Consumers read an average of 7 reviews before putting their trust in a company, according to a recent survey. Add reviews and testimonials to your Facebook page to help turn visitors into paying customers. According to the same report, Facebook is one of the most dependable review sites for local consumers. Find out more about the advantages of client testimonials.

Educate your customers

Whether your audience is still in the decision stage or they have already converted to paying clients, social media is a terrific platform to share instructive information with them.

• Create how-to videos and post them on social media to show prospective clients how simple it is to use your product or how effective your service may be. Don't overlook those who have already made a purchase; movies that provide setup guidelines and usage advice can assist clients obtain the knowledge they need to get the most out of your items.
• The requirement to provide customer assistance on all of your social media channels is increasing along with social media's popularity. When individuals have questions or comments, they frequently go to Facebook and Twitter first, so it's crucial you respond to them right away. Not only will you assist those in need, but you'll also demonstrate to future clients that you're quick to respond to their comments.

Keep customers coming back

When a customer makes a purchase and gains product knowledge, the customer journey is not over. Utilising social media will assist you in moving customers through the retention stage of the sales funnel and closer to becoming loyal customers or brand promoters.

• To keep your audience interested, produce and distribute organic material (such as articles, blog posts, photographs, or tips) on social media. By making your material more pertinent as you get more aware of their preferences, you may encourage more frequent page visits and interaction.
• Create a sense of community on your social media accounts by posting material that inspires audience participation. To share pictures of your items in use, you could start a Facebook group, run Twitter chats, or even make a Pinterest board. A vibrant social community will give your company a human face and give your clients a sense of belonging. Additionally, it can benefit your bottom line: According to studies, clients who identify emotionally with your brand are 306% more likely to lifetime value and are more likely to recommend your brand to others.