Regardless of what your business is, it’s quite clear that it is very challenging to compete with every other brand. From product selection, and pricing, to advertisement, today’s competitors can easily catch each other’s ideas. For such reason, many top brands nowadays shifted their focus to establishing an engaging online community that’s impossible to replicate.
This kind of marketing strategy takes a huge amount of effort, care, and time. It clearly does not happen overnight, making it hard for the competition to imitate it. If your brand doesn’t have one right now, this is the time to consider building an online community. To learn more about why you should do so, check out this guide.
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Reach a broader audience
One of the biggest priorities for any marketing or advertising campaign is reaching more potential customers. And you can do just that by using an online community engagement approach. Tons of marketers and businesses nowadays utilize online community apps or online platforms to encourage potential customers into engaging with them in the most convenient way possible.
Furthermore, with online engagement methods such as using mobile apps, more people can participate in community events or forums anytime and anywhere.
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Boost customer retention
Customers always love being listened to and talked to. They like it when they see and feel that they are important. By building an online community, you can create a place where your customers receive the support and entertainment they need to stay with you. You are giving them a positive brand experience, wherein they can feel like they are part of your brand. And that eventually leads to customer loyalty. The online community will provide your customers with the freedom to share their input and comments, and even build relationships with other customers. And the more time and effort they invest in the community, the harder they are to lure away.
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Create brand advocates
As you keep your community members inspired, happy, and satisfied, you are already turning them into your own brand advocates. People who love your brand and community can help you bring in more potential customers. They are likely to spread the word to their families, friends, and even on their social media pages. They can help create a better community experience and share the value of your brand with new customers.
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Help you save money
Let’s be honest, curating marketing campaigns is absolutely not cheap. Many small businesses even have limited advertising options because they don’t have that big budget. But by building an online community, you can execute almost every marketing strategy you have in mind. With a single community platform or app, you can talk to customers, share content, get real feedback and understand what your customers need the most.
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Build brand identity
Another great thing about the online community is that it can help give your brand a personality. Through the content or posts your share, you are showing your customers what your brand is all about. Your customers can have a clear understanding of your brand’s ethics and values. The members of your online community will identify with your identity and the business itself. You can further guarantee this by constantly conversing with your customers and generating dynamic and engaging content. And you can do all that in a cost-effective way and in real-time. No more budget blowouts or time delays.
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Gives customers a safer place
Sure, you can always opt for social media engagement since it can be cost-effective, too. But with things like a business page, the engagement and interaction are open to the public. With a specific community platform, you can create a more secure environment for your customer where the conversations are guided and feedback is monitored. It gives you the power to have a moderated and controlled place where your customers can feel safe to share their opinions or comments regarding your brand or shared content.
There is no doubt that building an online brand community comes with plenty of amazing benefits that can help you reach success. Not only you are creating a creative and safe space to engage with your new and existing customers, but you are also establishing yourself as a great brand. A brand that doesn’t only care about earning money, but a brand that genuinely cares for its customers and reputation.
If the things we’ve listed above sound great to you, you can now start finding an ideal platform or app to build your online community today. Maintain your community by showing your brand’s values, listening to your customers, and sharing valuable content. Mark your identity.