How To Interact With Customers Through Social Media

Social media offers us a variety of ways to engage our clients, contacts, and prospects. The idea is to have a current presence online. This means posting relevant information on a consistent basis.

Blogging

Let’s start with blogging. Having a blog is a great way to consistently maintain a presence online. You have the opportunity to share information and engage your audience. Blog posts can, and probably should, be brief. They should provide value. You can also encourage participation on the part of your readers by asking questions and inviting them to respond.

In a similar fashion you can comment on other people’s blogs. You want to be sure they are blogs that are relevant to your industry and area of expertise. When you find them, subscribe to them so you are receiving the posts in a timely fashion. When it makes sense to comment, do it. This is a great way to gain exposure.

Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn

Twitter is another great way to engage your customers. You can provide links to valuable information, coupons, specials, and information on new products. Whatever you want to share you can start with Twitter. Moreover, if you link your Twitter account to your Facebook and LinkedIn accounts that one post will hit all three venues. This makes it easy to have an impact.

Speaking of Facebook and LinkedIn, these are wonderful platforms for building relationships online. Your clients are most likely on one or both websites. Connect with your clients and contacts, join groups and participate in discussions, post your events, videos, and photos. This gives your customers an opportunity to get to know you and your business better.

E-Newsletters

Other ways to engage people through social media is to have an e-newsletter. You can send it out once a month, once a quarter, once a week, . . . It’s really up to you. An e-newsletter provides you with a vehicle for sharing your thoughts and ideas with your contacts. You can write an article that showcases your expertise. You can also post upcoming events so your contacts will know where you’ll be.

Business growth is all about relationships. Think of social media as a way to build on the relationships you already have – a way to make them stronger. Also think about where your clients and contacts are online and be sure you are there too. You’ll learn more about your customers this way, and they’ll have the chance to get to know you better.