Community-based Marketing
What is Community-based Marketing?
Community-based marketing is a people-first approach to marketing. It’s all about
bringing like-minded people together who have a common goal, need or interest. In everyday life people thrive in communities, and this is starting to become more obvious in the consumerism world. When people feel part of a brand community, it creates more awareness and trust of the business, eventually resulting in more sales and better customer retention. Not to mention, the cost of marketing to a new audience is six to seven times more expensive than marketing to your current customer-base…The value speaks for itself.
Prioritise meaningful relationships
The key to successful community-based marketing is prioritising meaningful relationships with your customers and business partners over transactional ones. By focusing on building relationships, not only do you save marketing dollars, but you also show your community that you stand for more than just profits; that a relationship with your brand is a valuable experience worthy of investment (in terms of both time and money).
It’s important to note that community-based marketing can’t be achieved overnight. It’s a long-term strategy that reaps long-term rewards – and loyal customers.
Integrate community-based marketing
If you haven’t already, consider integrating community-based marketing into your marketing activities. Getting started on social media is simple. Reply to comments, share user-generated content and thank customers for leaving reviews. Email marketing can be harnessed to nurture brand communities too. You could create a sense of FOMO by sharing exclusive information or behind-the-scenes content. Perhaps you could offer your database exclusive special deals and discounts, pre-sale opportunities and event invitations to increase their sense of belonging to your brand community. Ultimately, by actively acknowledging, interacting, and respecting your customers, you’ll gain their loyalty.
Community-based marketing is not only alive online. There is space for this strategy in the real world too. It is very important for your community to see you supporting their interests in some way. This can be achieved through brand events, collaboration, sponsorship and general support of your community. For small businesses in the Northern Rivers, supporting your local community, especially in times of need, is extremely important for successful community-based marketing.
What you put in, is what you get out of it when it comes to community-based marketing. The more you empower your customers, the more they will feel a valued part of your community, and the more loyal they will become to you and your brand.
As always, stay fruity,
Barefruit.
Related tag: email marketing gold coast