In this internet age, businesses and customers have never had more access to one another. But with that access, there are also challenges. How do you engage with your customers when there are so many other businesses out there vying for their attention? Far too many business owners assume that spreading themselves out across the internet is the solution. But the key is to engage in smarter ways; to find ways to connect with customers online and commit to them. Here are a just a few suggestions for how to connect effectively with your customers online:

Social media

Let’s face it – social media is a must if you are to have any chance of being successful in business. New profiles created every second, and top-notch algorithms allow you and your customers to find each other quite easily. Facebook is still the most popular platform, but make sure you find the right social media channel for your customer base. Social media then allows you to communicate and engage directly with customers, therefore create value by producing engaging, and where appropriate, amusing posts. Don’t just spam customers with links and information and be sure to generate interest so that customers are motivated to engage with your social media accounts. Then use that engagement to increase interest in your business.

Webinars

Webinars, seminars held online, could not be simpler. The beauty of a webinar is that it allows you to engage in real time, virtually. This option will also enable you to provide links to your services as the webinar happens and generate sales, as an example. Not only do webinars allow you to conduct seminars any time from anywhere, but they turn presentations into conversations.

Email marketing

The most classic technique used to connect effectively with your customers is email marketing; still, a tried and tested method of customer engagement. This, however, does not mean you should be spamming your customers with irrelevant content. Create attractive and intelligent content for your customers so that they will want to read what you send them. If handled appropriately, email marketing can also build strong bonds of trust between you and your customers.

SEO

SEO is one of, if not the most crucial aspect of online marketing, however many businesses assume that SEO is going to be a lot simpler than it is. When that happens, they often end up disappointed. One of the best things you can do is to hand things over to a dedicated agency that knows how to best use all of the necessary techniques. SEO for franchises can be different from SEO for single businesses, and unless you’re well versed in it, you could end up becoming overwhelmed. Outsourcing SEO to an outside agency also allows you to focus your energy on other important tasks that you are better suited to handle.

The internet has changed a lot of things when it comes to engaging with your customers. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the importance of treating your customers as individuals. Customers want to engage with your business, and most want to engage with humans Creating an experience that feels personal is the best possible way to help them do that.

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