Customer loyalty entails not only attracting but retaining customers for one’s business. It involves marketing tactics and strategies that leave your customers feeling satisfied with the service received and memorable experiences. Loyal customers are integral in spreading the word about your business, especially if they receive value for their money. There is a difference between attracting new customers for a business, and creating loyalty between you and them. It is also cheaper to retain a customer than acquiring another. Customers who are loyal to your business will also give you raw feedback on what you are great at and the area you need to improve on. A business can build loyalty with their customers through coming up with strategically written emails to improve customers experience, inform and educate them about the company.
Some of the critical features that such an email should contain include:
An Update to Your Clients
When your business has new deals, events and offers that you know a customer will like, take the first step and write them an email to inform them about it. Customize it such that each customer feels it was written for them alone. It brings about a feeling that the customer is treasured and that you took time to send them an email personally. It creates a sense of loyalty towards your business.
Welcoming New Clients
A welcome email sent to a new customer may make or break your dealings with them. Take caution in what you include in the email and be strategic in seeking for more business from them. A customer may be interested in acquiring a service or product from your company and ask for more information on it. At this juncture, the client’s interest is at peak, and it is up to you to send them a friendly, engaging and compelling email to win them over. The email should welcome them, explain how your business is best suited to their needs, share your mission statement and explain to them the goods and services that they will be receiving from you. Finally, you need to thank them for joining your company. By doing this, it shows a client that you are interested in them and are willing to communicate and assist whenever necessary. It will gradually boost your relationship, and eventually, they end up being a loyal customer.
Have an Auto Response Email
You need to create some emails which get sent automatically to your new subscribers or anyone making an inquiry. They are fast and create the illusion that your company is prompt in replying to customer’s queries. Automatic emails should contain information that is informative to what a client requires. It may include articles, product links or just a thank you for the client’s email. They should be resourceful and entertaining to the recipient. It may also be a follow-up email thanking customers for purchasing your products and contain useful tips on how to use it. Auto response emails should be tailor-made to reflect on the best that your business has to offer. These emails are powerful if used correctly and create a sense of loyalty from clients.
Segment Your Clients
Each customer has different needs and requirements from the other. While sending out emails, ensure that it is the right content for the targeted customer. Depending on the history of their purchase, you will be able to divide your customers according to their preferences maximizing the emails effect. Know how to target clients with emails that peak their interest, and they will feel that you care about them creating a sense of loyalty.
Exclusive Discounts and Offers
Instead of bombarding your customers with numerous emails of all the products that you have, come up with a tailor-made offer that suits particular clients. The email should sound like it was exclusively sent to them alone. They will, in turn, feel honored that you went out of your way to come up with discounts and offers just for them alone. Make them feel special by giving them coupons, inviting them to your company’s event or provide them with access to products earlier than other clients. They will then show their gratitude by remaining your loyal customers.
Know Your Clients
Emails are personal, and you should consider it an honor that a client trusts you with their address. Do not misuse this privilege by sending sales emails constantly without first establishing who your client is. Their location, gender, financial and marital status are essential. There are products that a single person will not see the need to purchase and vice versa. Sending client’s emails with products that they need while wishing them a happy birthday is a right way to go. Also, passing your warm regards to their families creates a personal touch between you and them.
Check-in Email
If you’ve not heard from a client for a while, check in on them to find out about their well-being and their experience using your product. Inquire if they enjoyed their last purchase and thank them again for doing so. Note that you hope to hear from them soon and if they have any questions they should feel free to ask. The feedback you get from these emails enables you to rectify areas where a client says they were unsatisfied with your service. Make sure that after readdressing the issue, you notify the client. It shows them that their opinion is valued.
Seek Referrals
When your customers are happy, they will refer other people to your business. They are your advocates and emails play a massive role in creating referral channels and programs. Strategically using emails to market your business and seek referrals from satisfied clients on your behalf will bring in more business for your company.
Conclusion
Email marketing gives you the chance to reach out to both prospective and existing customers. It increases your chances to retain clients as well as acquire new ones. As you go along with your business, ensure that you gauge how effective your email marketing strategy is. You can do this by checking the response rate from clients and the feedback that they give. If your emails lead to a new purchase by a client or renewal of purchase from previous clients, it shows that they are working. You can also set up an online survey and kindly request clients on your email list to participate and give their views on your products and services. You can also ask them to state the areas that they would like you to improve on. Such steps make a client feel that they are part of the business and this creates a sense of loyalty from them to the business.