3 Ways to Turn Followers into Customers
There are many ways to connect with your ideal client. You might be a household name, or you might be brand new to them. Here are three ways to approach and connect social media followers so that you can turn them into customers.
The hello.
These are the potential customers who know little to nothing about you…. yet. You have things in common with this customer, you just have to show up and be yourself. We’ll call them the “hello” customer.
Think of it like the new mom who happens to meet another mom at the playground. This is the follower or fan of your social media who may not have made a purchase yet. They might just follow your page because you once offered a giveaway for giving your business a “like.” Or maybe one of their friends posted something about you, you looked interesting so they decided to connect.
If you nurture the “Hello” customer, you find out more you have in common and make plans to meet again.
The BEST ways to connect with the “hello” customer:
• Be yourself on your social media. Show the faces of the staff and leadership.
• Be the first to break the ice and say “hello.” Send a DM when they follow you.
• Finding common ground is key to connection. Share your likes and dislikes, even ones that do not necessarily apply to the industry you’re in. Are you an Aggie grad? Do you go all out to support your San Antonio Spurs? Is there a comedy series you’re totally hooked on and always quoting? These build connection and make you more memorable.
The playdate.
This is your “Let’s plan to be in the same place at the same time” customer. After the “hello” customer has found common ground, this customer seeks friendship and wants to hang out. Business is more than transactional or merely surface-level. You are close enough to call each other for a playdate after all.
These are customers who will buy from you and gladly recommend you to their coworkers, family, and friends. They will share your website, leave you an online review, and recommend your services when others are asking.
The BEST ways to connect with the “playdate” customer:
• Be intentional with nurturing. This is where you have the opportunity to celebrate their birthday with a special gift or coupon or invite them to exclusive deals for repeat clients only.
• Turn your “playdates” into growth opportunities. The more you give value to this customer, the more their referrals and support is amplified. Reward them for their referrals and repeat purchases.
The joint vacation.
This is the innermost circle of customers. The “joint vacation” customer is when the once occasional park playdate becomes an invested traveling buddy. This customer trusts your authority, follows your lead and is willing to invest in your products or services — even the ones you don’t sell but merely recommend — over and over.
“Let’s go on vacation together,” means you enjoy each other’s company so much that you like spending both time and money together. This is where partnering with like-minded, related businesses can be beneficial to everyone.
You don’t need to convince the entire world (or your entire Facebook fan list) to go on a vacation with you. You probably just need a handful a year. You don’t need thousands more to like or follow your business Facebook page, maybe you just need a few more “joint vacation” customers to make your year the best one yet.
The BEST way to connect with the “joint vacation” customer:
• Offer value-based referrals to related products or services. This not only increases your profitability without adding time/labor to your plate, but helps spread the word about other totally awesome businesses you know.
• Build your authority in your niche by sharing what you know. Ever been on a great trip and recommended a hotel or restaurants to visit? Think of yourself as the travel agent offering your best tips and advice about where you’ve been to fellow travelers.
Do you need help? We’d love to help you connect with your followers and turn them into customers! Let’s chat.