The new buzz words: Relationship Marketing
Everybody’s talking about it but what does it mean?
Here’s my take on it: It simply means you sorta/kinda/really get to know your customers and others who might be interested in your products. They not only put a name with a face, but they feel a connection!
There is one constant in business that never changes:
People like to do business with people they know, like, and trust. Period.
This has been true since the beginning of time and it’s not about to change now! There’s only one good way for people to get to know you (especially with your online biz). They have to see you often.
Of course, you hope they are visiting your site often but that is really passive behavior on your part. You have to be pro-active! You have to put yourself in the forefront of their minds.
You have to know how to keep your brand “out there”!
Use E-mails. Be sure and e-mail your customers and potential customers on a regular basis. In our business, that means use the autoresponders and “talk” to your list. Let them get to “know” you in a very friendly way through e-mail. Of course, be sure and let them know about special offers on your products and new content on your blog, but, you also want to give useful information in the form of tips or links to other useful sites. Be helpful!
Newsletters. This is a proven method that works! If you fill that newsletter full of great info, people will begin to know and like you. If your newsletter is beneficial to your target audience, you will be known in no time!
Social Networking. You knew I’d go here. It has been the catalyst that has driven my own business forward and I am a firm believer in it! Be visible! “Talk” to your customers on Twitter, “friend” them on Facebook, and connect with them on LinkedIn. The more places you connect, the better!
Be accessible. Make sure that people know you are easy to get in touch with. Now, I’m not suggesting you let any one dominate your time but you should try to answer your e-mails, respond to comments on your blog, retweet a good Twitter message, contribute to a FB thread, and recommend somone’s services on LinkedIn.
Are you starting to “get” what relational marketing is?
OK, get out there and shake some hands! Virtually, that is 
Peace,
-Martha
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I guess Relationship Marketing, is taking marketing to a more personal level. So many businesses don’t put there staff pictures on their websites, and I’m not sure why. People don’t buy from businesses, people buy from people. Well said Martha, great post.
Martha
Thanks for the reminder. This is what started it all for me. People start of thinking about doing business online then immediately go into sales mode. Sales will come automatically when you know how to treat potential customers and clients. That means taking time to find out what’s important to them and build relationship.
Martha, Yes indeed, relationships are at the heart of a growing business. Very neat roundup of what elements make a difference.
Thanks for your insights!
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru
Martha, I love this list of available avenues for reaching out!
For me, it is also important to remember the various styles of communication available. When someone requests info, I shoot it to them straight. When I’m just bantering with folks, I tend to be really informal. And, when someone wants to go to the crazy place, I’ll be wild and crazy. Only virtually, mind you!
Just another way to think about our choices.
Thanks, Martha! Great info.
Martha, Great Information. It is exactly what I tell people and practice when it comes to customer relations. You hit the nail on the head People like to do business with people they know, like, and trust. Period.
Thanks
Mike
Relationship Marketing is key to building and maintaining your biz, offline or online. From the looks of these comments, all of YOU totally understand this! And that is why YOU are all building a relationship with ME by commenting on my blog! Love it
Ah – Martha! You said it. Relationship marketing = Know, like and trust. Great tips on getting a solid foundation for that process. Excellent post.
Thanks for the reminders. Good relationships foster loyalty. Online marketing is certainly about building relationships. Some of the best business relationships I have formed is on Pat O Bryan’s forum, Milagroworld.
Kathy, you are so right! Pat’s forum introduced me to a wonderful, like-minded group of people. (I forgot to mention forums as a way to grow relationships! oops!)
Super relationship-building tips, Martha!
Let’s face it. Since it’s not possible to go knocking on everyone’s literal front door, shake their hands, or give them a hug, and sit down and chat …
We’ve got to utilize the venues we have available online to create as “personal” a relationship with others as possible.
I haven’t published a newsletter yet so that’s something I’ll want to get off my t0-do list as soon as I can.
Hugs,
Melanie
#blog30
I am still working on the email list thing I am not near as consistent with that as I am with blogging. I tend to use my page on FB as the way to keep my readers up to date with things because I get the way FB works. Same with Twitter. Maybe the reason I get Twitter is I am a conversationalist when it comes to the internet and I like to talk to like minded smart people
’s
Virtual Relationship building is different than face to face. You say be helpful….which I think is the key. If you are really interested in helping it shows.
Of course, we can never replace the face-to-face relationships, but I have found that my virtual relationships mirror many of my face-to-face. And, with the use of skype, we can now actually BE face-to-face. I think in the not-so-distant future, we will be able to interact more face-to-face through our computers and phones. All this typing will be a thing of the past! LOL
-And, you are right, being helpful is key
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