Think about the last time you set out to purchase a vehicle. How did you make that purchasing decision? You went through four distinct steps. First, you became aware that you needed a new vehicle. Second, you searched for information. Third, you evaluated the alternatives and lastly, you made a purchase decision.
Regardless of what your product or service is, understanding what your customers think of both you and your competitors is key. While you may have an idea of who your competitors are and what they do, ultimately you aren’t the ones making the purchasing decisions. Fortunately, there are many ways to scope out your customers’ views and one of the easiest ways is through the use of social media.
Social media is defined as the interaction of people through online networks and communities. Facebook and Twitter are the two biggest examples of social media, and both can be used to see what your customers are really thinking.
Building a relationship with your customers has several advantages. From increasing perceived value to enhancing the overall customer experience, building relationships with your customers is crucial to your business’s long-term success. Unfortunately for most businesses, they are neglecting to consider the impact that customer relationships have on their business and ultimately their bottom line. In an interesting study conducted in the 2013 Customer Satisfaction Report, clients of over 200 IT companies were questioned about their loyalty. The study showed that one in six clients were “at risk” of leaving or cancelling their contracts because of customer service issues.
Differentiating your brand can be a seemingly difficult task in a world that is quickly globalizing. Social media, blogs, email, and search engines in general have broken the barriers in the business world as we know it. Target markets now have access to millions of companies that offer the same services or products that you do. So how do you distinguish yourself and set your brand apart from your competitors?
We’ve all heard of how companies achieve high rankings and exceed annual goals but then reach their decline. Several have experience the “fall” in terms of decreased performance, lower customer satisfaction, and unhappy employees. It is a seemingly never ending push to get out of a long-term slump. So how do you avoid this fallout?
To maintain an active leadership position in your particular industry, your peak performance has to be sustained to maintain the competitive edge that set you in that position in the first place. Consider these three ways to avoid potential fallouts and stay on top of your game.
Previously, we talked about how to separate your business from others in an extremely competitive world. Part of this process starts with knowing your brand voice. By having a distinguished brand voice, you have successfully began the process of building your brand to a whole new level. But what exactly is a “brand voice”?
Previously, we defined what your brand voice is and how it can benefit you. From simply being consistent and clear to showing your personal spunk, your brand’s voice can be what sinks or saves your business. But the next question that comes to mind is, “How Do I Develop My Brand’s Voice?” Here is the step-by-step process of developing your brand’s voice and taking advantage of what it has to offer:
As a business in the 21st century, you touch your customers in many ways and through many platforms. They’ll see your catalog, e-mails, postcards, social media posts, website and even press releases. So how are you supposed to maintain your brand’s voice while trying to reach your target market on so many different platforms? Here are three tips to maintain your brand voice through all of your touch-points.
Now that you understand who you are and what your brand image consists of, it is crucial to be sure that your brand is attracting the target market that keeps you in business and that fits your product or service. Fortunately, with technological innovation, it has become increasingly more efficient to attract your business’ ideal customer. Remember, your target market will be looking for you, so it is extremely important to be found easily when they need you most! Here are a few ways that your brand can attract your ideal customers and provide them with the product or services that they need.
There’s a lot that goes into running a business, from payroll to product creation to sales and more. With all of those occupying your attention, it’s tempting to slap together something for your marketing and call it a day.
Sadly, diving in without any planning or branding is a good way to cripple your marketing and miss out on a lot of business. You need a marketing plan, and that starts with brand guidelines.
When your company’s a valuable resource, you become more than a supplier. Your customers and clients will see you as someone they respect, someone they can go to for advice, and someone they can rely on to be there.
In short: They see you as an ally. Companies will include you in their strategy, and individuals will make you a key part of their life.
How do you become that valuable resource? Just like the phrase sounds, you need to become a go-to source from information, advice, and other things that they value.
An Open Letter to Businesses:
Brand differentiation comes down to three simple components: idea, promise, and implementation. Each is equally important in your overall success and, like a tripod, if one leg falls short the structure will be unstable and collapse.
