How to Build an Actual Relationship with Your Customers

Nowadays, people are becoming increasingly tired of being bombarded with perfectly polished product images and services. The public no longer wants well-crafted press releases and publicist-written statements from corporations and are not willing to overlook the fact that many corporations have turned a blind eye to their employees' plight. Customers have begun to investigate whether a workplace is toxic, whether workers are being paid fairly for the work that is assigned to them, and whether factory workers' working conditions are safe. Customers today are very aware of their surroundings and are looking for authenticity.

Customers can, in fact, use various social media platforms to express their opinions and demand more from their favorite brands as we move further into the digital age. They are becoming more vocal about their wants and needs these days. As a result, many brands have shifted their focus to authenticity in order to engage with their customers more actively. Whether your company has been around for a while or is just getting started, knowing how to use authenticity to effectively build customer loyalty is beneficial. Here are a few pointers:

Clarify Your Company’s Goals

Customers need to have a better understanding of a company's goals. They also need to know the people who run the company. It is no longer acceptable for any company to hide behind a polished image. Customers want to see brand founders being open and honest as well as transparent. There is a need to see integrity, values that are expressed rather than hidden, and understand a brand founder's beliefs which reflect the identity of the brand they are producing.

Utilize Social Media Platforms

There are many ways to gain trust in customers, like using social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest to share behind-the-scenes photos. YouTube could be useful to share videos of factory tours and employee interviews as well as messages directly from the brand founder.

With so many customers now turning to social media influencers for reviews and opinions, brand founders need to have a more human-to-human interaction with customers. Authenticity can be used in your approach to marketing. When your brand launches a new product, service, or simply has a new marketing campaign, you should post not only to your social media account but also allow some social media influencers to test out your product or service for their followers. This move could lead to a deeper connection between your brand and your customers.

Concentrate on Authenticity

Customers get the impression that their voices are being heard and that the company is listening to them when they engage with the company on social media. The use of social media has created a dialogue between the company and its customers, which is an effective use of authenticity that results in more loyal customers.

Customers want to support brands that give back to their community and the world at large. In the past, customers would see companies as cold, soulless entities. Evoke a sense of humanity by focusing on authenticity during marketing efforts by financially supporting causes through donations or by devoting time to worthy causes that positively impact communities. Too many brands focus on making a profit. Brands need to show that they care for their customers.

Sweet Tips from Ally:

Because your authenticity demonstrates your company values, you must follow these tips at all times:

• Don't talk too much about your authenticity; instead, show it.
• After making a mistake, accept responsibility rather than making excuses.
• Be sure to include the customers in all your stories and messages.