1. Add Value to the Person
Adding value to the person is the best way to reinforce relationship marketing. Helping the consumer with whatever they need is a great way to add value. Connect them with helpful resources or contacts that could help them with their needs.
2. Create a Customer Club
Creating a customer club is a great way to maintain a close relationship with your customers. These clubs can be a place where you host private events or offer special discounts. Because you are gathering a group of your consumers together, you will be able to learn more about them and see how they interact with your product or services.
3. Start Solving Problems Right Away
The best way to transition consumers to being huge fans of your business is to be intentional about solving their problems quickly and contributing value to every interaction with them.
4. Share Your Strong, Passionate Point of View
It is important for your business to not only have a strong perspective and point of view on something industry related but also to share passionately with your audience. You want to share what your business believes and stands upon to convey passion and that your business is genuine.
5. Gamify Loyalty Programs
Gamifying your loyalty program is a great way to keep customers engaged with your business. Offering special discounts or exclusive information will help keep your customers loyal to your business.
6. Focus on Compassion and Human Connection
Your primary strategy should always be to increase human connection and build compassion. Going out of your way to connect with your consumers will help build loyalty and leave your customer with a positive experience.
7. Connect Seemingly Different Sectors for Mutual Benefit
Partnering with other businesses or nonprofits is a very successful form of relationship marketing. By joining forces with another business, both parties can benefit from each other’s resources and create a larger impact.
8. Stand for a Higher Purpose Than Profit
Being vocal about a higher purpose for your business other than just profit is inspiring for consumers. Many times, when a consumer sees that a company is passionate about something other than just gaining profit, it will earn the business more authority and respect within the industry.
9. Be There in a Moment of Need
The best way to gain customer loyalty in relationship marketing is to ensure you are there to help your customer in a time of need. Offering discounts when the public needs it is one example of this.
10. Use HCD to Design a Better Experience
Human-centered design, or HCD, places the users in the middle while offering solutions all around them. The better the experience the consumer has with the product, the greater chance they will love using it and share it with others.
Read more about Relationship Marketing at forbes.com