Yesterday we talked about the value of turning customers into evangelists when using social media. I wanted to give you a few pointers on how to accomplish the task.
25 Steps to Turning Customers into Evangelists Using Social Media
1. First. Make sure you prepare yourself for the focused effort of turning happy customers to loyal promoters and evangelists. Prepare your mind. Maybe yoga?
2. You have an email list right? Use your email list to make sure you are connected to your customers on the social sites you use frequently.
Importing and Exporting Contacts Using:
Facebook, LinkedIN, Twitter, and Plaxo.
3. After you have imported your contacts into the social media sites of your choosing… make sure you add and contact them through the sites.
4. Once you have connected to most of your customers start communicating on a daily basis with them. We are not talking about sending sales information or product information but asking about their day… etc.
5. Create a list of your high level and value customers. It helps to have a list in place to set some goals toward customer evangelists. Start out with 5 people or companies.
6. Set up Twitter Searches for your valued client’s industries or services. For example, if you have an accountant as a valued client make sure you setup a Twitter search feed for accountant or tax advice. When someone ask for advice make sure you reccomend your client.
Disclaimer: You do not have to always monitor the Twitter search but it is good to have around. I know we all have about 5 mins of free time a day.
7. If the client has an event or seminar coming up in the area make sure you share that link with the multitudes of your followers online.
Share it on your Facebook Wall
Share it as a status update on LinkedIN
8. Recommend your client on LinkedIN. Why recommend on LinkedIN? It is simple. If you want recommended by a client on LinkedIN it is always better to recommend first. Do it and see the benefits.
9. Share an exciting story about your client’s business to your contacts. It is important to share the quality information even if it does not relate you your business.
10. Ask for the recommendation. It never hurts to ask. Encourage your best clients and friends to tell YOUR story across the masses.
Remember it is important to give before you receive. If you help your clients become thought leadership in their industries or grow their business using the Internet they WILL become your evangelists.
Stuart Foster
Like the usage of recommending your client on LinkedIN. It isn't done enough and could be greatly beneficial to the client who receives it. Thinking about doing that now with a few people…
Cindy Hartman
What a big, fat "DUH". Thanks Kyle – sometimes we just need people to point out the obvious. Love this info!
Neal Schaffer
It is an honor that you used a link to my LinkedIn blog site on your post. Thank you! I am impressed by your simple yet thorough advice on hand-holding people into the realm of social media. I would add that, just as in social networking, a pay-it-forward approach to social media will ensure a greater chance of success, so I totally agree with the give-before-you-receive approach. Hope my blog site will continue to be a resource for you and I am looking forward to your future social media posts!
Jeff Hurt
Great, simple and easy to use tips! Thanks Kyle.