5 Buzz-Worthy Ways to Get Consumers Talking About Your Brand

You may already know when it comes to satisfying your customers, above all, you should focus on the quality of your content and message. Not only is this true in regards to the product or service you offer, but this should also prove to be true with the way you communicate and handle your audience. If this is done successfully, effective conversation with your audience can lead to gaining a better understanding of their needs, obtaining new ideas from them, and attaining brand loyalty. Don’t know where to start? Here are five tips on how to engage with your audience and create meaningful conversation with potential customers.

1. Host Friendly Competitions

If you’re struggling to engage with your audience, there’s no better way to get people talking than by giving them an incentive to do so. In other words, people love free stuff, so use it to your advantage. Holding a contest that encourages engagement and conversation around your brand can increase the amount of traffic up to eight times. Whether it’s a photo contest on Instagram, or a “share your story for a chance to win” on your website, there are countless creative ways to get your followers talking about your business.

Social media contests are also a way to gain more exposure to your business. Giving simple instructions, such as “tag three of your friends” is an easy way to gain word-of-mouth exposure for your company. This kill-two-birds-with-one-stone tactic is not only efficient, but with the right incentive, it can be extremely fruitful for your business’s awareness and consumer base.

2. Show Them the Love

How your brand is presented to your audience is the important thing you should be aware of. A recent survey suggests that 65% of customers say that being cared for is the top reason they stay loyal to a brand or business. Even though being conscious of their needs and opinions is expected, going above and beyond to assure your audience that they are a priority can go a long way. This can be done by simply making them feel special. If you create a positive, intentional brand reputation and culture, consumers will feel emotionally attached to your brand which makes them come back again and again.

Being special can mean that after their first purchase, they receive an “exclusive” email offering them VIP perks. Or simply offer them special promotions on social media. People who feel that their engagement with your brand is being heard and noticed will be more likely to recommend their friends to your business.

Going above and beyond means more than special offers. Treating your customers like royalty after they have filled a shopping cart can be the difference between being a one-stop-shop for someone and being a lifelong customer. Show them you care, and if they are dissatisfied with your service or product, always give them a way to express it. Whether it’s through a 24/7 customer service number or always offering means of compensation for their inconvenience, the care you give your customers is worth just as much as how you engage with your audience. Once your customers experience excellent customer service, they are more likely to tell friends and family about your business.

3. Get Social

If you’re stuck on how to engage with your audience, social media can be a cost-effective tool to engage with your customers on a personal level. Not only are they able to connect directly with your company through comments and direct messaging, but social media also gives your business a face. So make sure it’s a friendly one! Make your content unique to your product or service so that followers feel compelled to join the conversation.

When they do comment or send you a message, respond back in a timely manner letting them know that what they have to say about your business is important to you. Responding to followers also puts your account in favor of social platforms’ newest algorithms which prioritizes content with more user engagement. Either way, engaging personally with followers through social channels keeps you in the know with what customers have to say about your business, and will encourage them to maintain a relationship with your brand long-term.

4. Put a Face to the Name

A brand’s biggest asset is the people behind it, and face-to-face conversation is a dying breed in a world that’s constantly becoming more digital. Be sure you are not neglecting this effective and necessary tactic when it comes to communicating with your audience.

Get out there, and become a familiar face to your community. Current Orlando mayor, Buddy Dyer, is a perfect example of this. He frequently serves as the face of government announcements and is heavily involved in the community. By doing so, he’s become synonymous with Orlando. By participating in local events as sponsors or vendors, you are not only exposing your brand to potential customers, but you are also building relationships with other local businesses that may be willing to partner with yours.

Being involved in the community is also an effective way to stay in the know of the needs people in your community have that you may not have been aware of before. You’re also giving your brand the opportunity to have conversations with customers you normally wouldn’t get the chance to have. This is critical for digital companies or companies that operate out of a home where you may not experience any traffic flow coming in and out of your office or store.

5. Less About You, More About Them

It’s something we were all taught growing up; don’t make it all about you when you’re talking with someone. In this case, contribute conversation that isn’t sales focused. If all you’re doing is talking up your products, services or prices, you will experience a freeze with consumers wanting to talk with you and about you. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports National Research, 65% of the people questioned admitted to walking out of a store for the sole reason of being annoyed by a salesperson.

Although this is a well-known piece of advice for businesses, it is still all too common and stems from the framework of your brand. Holding true to simple values that define your brand will help you discover what else you can bring to the table when it comes to introducing yourself to customers whether on social media, in traditional advertising or other efforts of brand awareness.

Let your audience get to know your team with bios or meet the team videos, or rather than marketing your product or service, market the emotions or reward them when they choose your brand. No matter your method, be more than just a sales pitch. Connect with your audience, and they will connect with you.

Starting the right conversation can sometimes be difficult. Let us help you break the ice. Appleton Creative is an award-winning, full-service advertising agency in Orlando, Florida that specializes in delivering a strong, unified visual and verbal presence through branding and messaging. Appleton works with local, national and international clients to build a strong and cohesive brand that standardizes any company’s look and communications across print, web, social media and video. Your branding goals are worth a conversation: contact us at 407-246-0092 or info@appletoncreative.com.