3 ways to build your clientele without social media
Around 2010ish when social media started to get big, the corporate retailers were panicked to keep up. I worked for Hot topic at the time, and I remember the memo going out that we needed to create our store specific Facebook page and we were to fill it with memes (which were still in the early, not as hilarious stage) that related to teenagers we were selling to.
At first, all of this seemed exciting and fun. Instead of killing time on slow days re-straitening and re-folding, I spent my time on the meme generator, finding pictures of Metallica and adding in the big, white, bold letters “BOGO TEES 50% OFF – NOTHING ELSE MATTERS” on the photo for our 12 followers to gaze upon.
I enjoyed the silliness of it all and that we were connecting to others in a new way that, at the time, didn’t feel like an added pressure. But of course, cut to over a decade later, the world somehow decided that social media is the only way to reach people. We’re drowning in Instagram content that a computer curates for us. Images are stylized and filtered to absolute perfection, making us feel like we have to compete with what’s not real.We’re all staring, scrolling, posting, commenting, and waiting for validation from entities inside our screens, giving us constant FOMO, which also gives us elevated anxiety. And from a business standpoint, the pressure of keeping up is exhausting. Unless you can spend thousands of dollars on ads, you’re not going to be seen thanks to the dreaded algorithm.
Funny enough, businesses were able to build clientele before the rise of the socials but in our screentime haze, we all seem to have forgotten. If you have been feeling overwhelmed to keep up with the masses, put your phone down and take a breath. Because luckily for you, there are other ways to get your name out there while also retaining customers, both new and established.
#1) Marketing Emails/Newsletters
let’s lay down some facts. Based on Constant Consumer data, 21% of emails are opened within the first hour and 60% of consumers have said that have made a purchase as a result of receiving an email. Also, for every $1 spent on email marketing, you can expect an average of $36 return on investment in your business. Honestly, it’s a no brainer. if you’re interested in creating an email newsletter - give me a shout!
#2) Loyalty Programs
How many times do you go back to a place because you have reward to redeem. Whether it’s a free sandwich or 20% off something, you have to admit that loyalty programs are a great way to get you to coming back again and again. It’s also a wonderful way to say thank you to customers for their support. There are services you can sign up for like Fivestars or TapMango that will help you personalize your program. Or if you’re on a budget, a good old fashioned punch card can be just as effective.
#3) Reviews
If it’s a new movie, restaurant, or store, I always find myself doing a quick google search to check out what I’m about to get into. No one wants their time to be wasted, and the more positive reviews you have, the more likely people will want to check out your business. According to Globenewswire.com, surveys show that 95% of consumers read online reviews before they shop and 58% say they would pay more for the products of a brand with good reviews. Asking your clients to leave feedback through your marketing emails or even after you make a sale will boost your responses, especially if you offer them an incentive to do so. I know you don’t have to twist my arm to leave a review and get 15% off my next purchase.
Are you able to relax now? By integrating these three tools into your business, you’ll start seeing a steady growth that will be long-lasting and you don’t even have to fight an algorithm for it. As long as you show up and stay true to who you are, your clients will show up too.