Market Your Business for Free: Find Your Brand Ambassadors
What’s the best way to market your business for free? Find your brand ambassadors. Brand ambassadors are people who love your product or service and will spread the word about your business without charge.
So how do you find these brand ambassadors? Here are tips for building a brand ambassador program that will keep your business growing.
Tip #1: Listen to your customer
Have you ever had a bad restaurant experience? You order an expensive entrée, it comes out wrong, and when you complain, the waiter or waitress ignores you. It’s frustrating. But a restaurant that sincerely asks for feedback and takes action to fix mistakes is the one you go back to and recommend to others. The same principle applies to running a small business. Your product or service will never be perfect, but if you actively listen to your customers and address their concerns, you’ll gain loyal customers who become brand ambassadors.
Tip #2: Empower your employees or sub-contractors
Southwest Airlines recognized early on that their employees were crucial to their success. They created a culture that values and appreciates their workers. By treating their employees well and making them feel important, Southwest Airlines created a dedicated workforce that naturally promotes the company both at work and outside of work. By empowering your employees or sub-contractors and making them feel like heroes, you can gain loyal brand ambassadors.
Tip #3: Offer delightful gifts
Even small gestures can make a big impact. For example, Umpqua Bank, known for exceptional customer service, offers a chocolate when customers make a deposit or cash a check. Umpqua Bank also creates a comfortable environment with living-room-style décor and freshly brewed coffee for everyone. By focusing on these small surprises, Umpqua Bank stands out in a crowded market. Finding ways to delight your customers, even with simple acts like saying thank you, can generate goodwill and create brand ambassadors.
Tip #4: Be unexpected
Innovation comes in many forms. For instance, Les Schwab, a successful tire company, noticed that clean bathrooms were important to their target audience—women. They made sure all their stores had fresh and clean bathrooms, and this simple innovation led to a legion of brand ambassadors. Likewise, Salt & Straw, an ice cream retail chain, offers bizarre flavors that pique customer curiosity and generate buzz. By doing the unexpected, you can create a memorable experience that encourages customers to become brand ambassadors.
Tip #5: Create a unique experience
IKEA stands out by offering a unique and immersive experience. From friendly signs to clever furniture vignettes to the smell of their famous meatballs, IKEA creates an environment that customers love and talk about. By reimagining every touch point with your customers, employees, sub-contractors, and vendors, you can make each interaction more memorable. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and think about ways to make every aspect of your business more inviting.
By genuinely listening to your customers, empowering your employees or sub-contractors, offering delightful gifts, doing the unexpected, and creating a unique experience, you’ll attract brand ambassadors who will help your business grow. That’s where the real excitement begins.
Hello!
I’m Andrew Brooks, a seasoned finance consultant from the USA and the mind behind phonenumber247.com.
My career is built on a foundation of helping individuals and businesses thrive financially in an ever-changing economic landscape. At phonenumber247.com, my aim is to demystify the complex world of finance, providing clear, actionable advice that can help you navigate your financial journey with confidence. Whether it’s personal finance management, investment strategies, or understanding the nuances of market dynamics, I’m here to share insights and tools that can propel you towards your financial goals.
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