Business Improvement and Social media

I selected this article from Curatti written by Susan Gilbert because it provides information on how to increase engagement on social media.

In order to stay ahead of the competition it's important to effectively reach your target market.

Drive Up Your Social Media Sales

As you grow your audience on social media you will want to build trusted relationships with them. I agree that in order to attract new customers you need to focus on approaching your audience in an authentic way.

Gilbert explains how to best approach your social media marketing in a non-sales way.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Engage on Facebook -- especially in groups. This is still one the top places to build your brand and a community. Once you establish relationships there you can lead them to your Page.

• On Twitter take advantage of trending hashtags and engage in live chats and contests. There is still a viable audience who is interested in what your brand has to offer there.

• Get active with mobile marketing and start posting and engaging. Include SMS text messaging or push notifications as a part of this strategy.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/4dd530cpeIi

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Tony Zambito because it explains how outdated buyer insights can affect our B2B sales.

You can reach your prospects through a better understanding of why customers make a purchase.

Exploring the B2B Buyer Journey

The digitization of business has changed the buyer landscape significantly. I agree that your customers will respond as you reach them where they are at.

Zambito shows you several ways to gain better insights on your prospects and how to improve your B2B sales.

Here's what caught my attention:

• B2B companies have to come to the realization that they are living within their own digital bubble. This includes over-reliance on activity-based data intelligence.

• Digital transformation is felt mostly in channels and distribution. For example, the way consumers purchase a book is now far different than in the past.

• Cloud-based platforms are now affecting how people take action and make decisions. A new virtual dependence is emerging merging users and buyers into one.

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Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/JPQr30cap5v

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Scott Aughtmon because it provides insights into what can be overlooked in content marketing.

How a boy's hunger for a cheeseburger can teach us about a winning content strategy.

Content Marketing Success Story

Many marketers are not effective when it comes to publishing articles their audience will love. I agree that you need to have an understanding of the process for the reader.

Aughtmon explains how to produce a great content marketing plan.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Do everything you can to please your target market and customers. When you do this your results will be much better.

• A good marketer truly understands what marketing is and what it can do. They can reach their readers by appealing to their needs and desires.

• How you approach your audience affects the process of digesting content. This directly impacts a buyer's decision making process.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/Fm3h30ajBR0

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Andy Capaloff because it explains how to understand your customers from their perspective.

We need to provide the same level of customer service that we would want to receive.

Improve Your Customer Relationships

In order to be a successful business we need to reach our customers where they are at. I agree that you can create a better experience by understanding their needs and desires.

Capaloff explains how to get into the minds of your customers by putting yourself in their shoes.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Ask yourself the same questions a customer would ask. Things like, "would you buy from you?" and "do your own employees with discounts make purchases from your company?"

• We are ultimately selling to people, and so we need to humanize our brand. That means we take care of the buyer before and after the sale.

• The customer experience is important no matter what size your business is. Make it easy for them to make a purchase with a helpful attitude.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/QLcE30bApKv

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Patrick Foster
 because it explains the difference between B2B and B2C in eCommerce.

It's important to know how and why customers interact on your business website.

The Difference Between Buyer Journeys and Customers

When building a business in the digital age you need to understand how your prospects are making purchasing decisions and why. I agree that both B2B and B2C play into eCommerce websites.

Foster explains what causes your customers to make a purchase and how to improve your approach.

Here's what caught my attention:

• In B2B purchasing there is always a problem that needs to be solved within a business. Buyers in this situation want to look for the best deal and product or service for their employers.

• A B2C website is usually aimed at capturing the reader's attention right away. The next step is to convince them to make a purchase.

• It takes account management to make a B2B sale work along with relationship management. In B2C it's all about customer service and followup via email. 

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/qqty30bnrJ1

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Eleonora Zolotaryova
 because it shows you how to successfully redesign your website for better visibility.

Your website may need a major upgrade in order to stay current.

Make Your Website More Successful

To attract subscribers your website needs to stand out online. I agree that a new design can help improve your chances.

Zolotaryova provides the right steps to take to make the necessary changes.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Before getting started it's important to analyze and narrow down your niche. For this to happen you need to take advantage of the right tools to learn more about what the competition is doing.

• Use organic search methods to attract website traffic. Include a set of words and phrases that reflect your brand -- known as semantic core.

• Perform a technical audit such as your URLs, Meta tags and titles, any broken links, ect. Fixing these errors will help more visitors see your website in search.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/Wx9930baFZx

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Shelly Kramer because it provides insights on the way people interact on social media from their devices.

The world of technology has shifted in the way we conduct our marketing online

How Second Screen Social Affects Social Media

Most consumers use multiple platforms to get their information and make purchases. I agree that marketers should fully understand how their audience is viewing brands.

Kramer explains how we have evolved into using several different devices in our social interactions.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Americans under the age of 65 are watching less and less television each year. Television apps are now all the rage with over 200 new channels having been created.

• The heaviest users of social media are women ages 35 to 49 (the Generation X women). These people are more likely to make an online purchase than non-social media users.

• In order to reach your target audience you need to now have a creative approach. This means businesses can  market to both television and social media users.

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Featured image: http://blog.union.co/social-tv-is-now-how-second-screen-apps-connect-viewers-to-their-favorite-shows

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/pasA30aQEJb

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Tony Zambito because it explains the illusion of publishing too much content in order to stand out.

The right way to approach your audience is through high-quality content, not high quantity.

Correct Misguided Thinking for Your Content Strategy

The current thought is to put as much content as possible in front of your readers in order to grow online. I agree that we can lose focus on the quality of the articles by doing this.

Zambito explains the different misconceptions related to content planning and marketing.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Organizations have taken their eyes off of what is taking place in the digital world. The customer experience can get missed when we do not pay attention to this.

• The customer journey is not the same as the content journey. Businesses need to focus on the interactions and experiences instead.

• As content producers we need to move away from a broadcasting mentality. This includes how we personalize what we write.

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Image: Courtesy of 123RF.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/s6By30aDSSZ

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In our latest Curatti interview, Greg Cooper talks about the benefits of LinkedIn for business.

"This video is based on my original Curatti article titled “8 Reasons Why You Are Not Getting More Business from LinkedIn”.

LinkedIn is most widely used and credible online venue for businesses of all sizes. No other platform provides both the depth of information about your target audience and the ability to quickly find, connect and engage with that audience. Yet many businesses are failing to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Some of the areas covered in this approximately 20-minute interview include:

• The importance of creating a complete and compelling profile
• Why you need an All-Star profile
• How to build a relevant and opportunity rich network
• What is the right size for a LinkedIn network?
• Which types of content work best?
• How to use LinkedIn search to quickly find your ideal prospects
• Building a virtual team to support and share your content
• How much time to spend on LinkedIn
• Why little and often is the most practical strategy for most people

I also share several real-life examples of businesses who have enjoyed great success with LinkedIn, including one business which has turned LinkedIn into a lead generation conveyor belt.

The Curatti On Air LinkedIn Interview

In this interview, I discuss some of the reasons why so many businesses fail to take advantage of the benefits of LinkedIn.  It was a vibrant and enjoyable conversation with Curatti’s Andy Capaloff and host, Cheryl Tan."

Watch the full video here.

I selected this article from Curatti written by Susan Gilbert because it shows you great tools to help improve your business branding strategy.

Reach your full potential online with these great resources for business.

12 Great Business Tools for Branding and Email Marketing

With the right tools you can help your brand stand out online. I agree that in order to build a business it's important to take advantage of what's available.

Gilbert provides the best tools to help make your company a more successful one.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Find out what your customers are saying about you online. Go Fish Digital provides insights into complaints and conversations about your brand from over 40 different sources.

• Stop putting off your tasks and stay on track with this handy tool. The Productivity Challenge Timer app for iOS will help you gain more focus on your important projects with its effective timer.

• Get more out of your emails with this powerful Gmail tool. FullContact helps you to find important precise company information as well as where the next meeting will be taking place.

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Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://curatti.com/business-branding/

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Need help managing emails & making your #business run more effectively?

I selected this article from Curatti written by Raymond Morin because it explains the latest results by PR Newswire in their study of CEO credibility.

How business leaders are perceived online today.

The All-Time Low of Trust in Leadership

Most people have come to distrust "the system." I agree that this raises questions on how we can better reach our community.

Morin explains the details of the study and sounds the alarm for business leaders to pay attention.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The public has generally lost confidence in all institutions of society over the last year. This is the case with 20 out of 28 countries.

• Some of the main culprits of mistrust are tax avoidance, overcharging for basic needs, and erosion of quality. There has only been a 7 point increase in the United States in 2016.

• The most credible spokespersons today are the employees. These are the people who spread the company messages and who handle customer service.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/HnQN309q97M

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to choose the right platform to handle customer service through social media.

Interacting with your customers takes attention to all digital channels where they are active.

Establish a Successful Social Customer Service System

Being attentive and involved with your customers is the key to growth and trust in your business. I agree that you can better provide for them by choosing the right management system.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your customer service on social media with the right platform.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Create a plan of action before choosing a platform. This enables your business to make the right decisions at the right time -- especially when a team is involved.

• When looking at various services you will want to take a look at their capabilities. This includes omni-channel support, in-depth analytics, and whether is it fully scalable.

• There are a few things that are essential when choosing a social customer service platform. Things such as CRM integration, tasks allocation, sentiment interactions tracking, and more.

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Image: Courtesy of Unplash.com.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/gVWd308Ky9M

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Timothy (Tim) Hughes because it provides insights on how to best approach buyers through persona marketing.

Many potential customers do not make a purchase decision due to a lack of information and too much confusion about a product or service.

How Persona Marketing Affects Your Bottom Line

People respond when we listen and help solve their problems in a clear and effective way. I agree that businesses need to understand what their leads are looking for and why in order to better reach them.

Hughes explains what exactly persona marketing means from the customer's perspective.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Selling today is about social -- this means that businesses need to connect with their audience and engage them in conversation. It's people who make decisions -- not companies.

• Top performing sales agents use both research and social media to reach their prospects. These people are change makers and influencers who are looked up to as a trusted source.

• It is not persona marketing that is to blame for a lack of interest. Businesses can mislead or confuse their potential customers through a lack of information and attention.

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Lead/Featured Image: 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/IgpI308oXi1

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Helen Miller because it shows you how to boost your brand with a stand-out website.

Branding and website development and design are not the same thing.

Promote Your Brand with a Strong Website

You can take your business image to a new level with the right design and content strategies. I agree that it's not just one method that will make this successful.

Miller provides examples and advice on establishing a brand identity that gets seen.

Here's what caught my attention:

• If your website is outdated there are new templates you can try in WordPress. Use a new design to help tell your brand story and establish your brand name.

• Before telling the story of your company find out first what your core values are, the strengths of your skills, what you want to be known for, the personality of your brand, and how you will stand out from the rest in your industry.

• Optimize your LinkedIn profile to make it more professional. Use a custom headline with a clear summary of what you have to offer your prospects.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/SGfX30chbO1

This post was sponsored by Template Monster (in case you hadn’t guessed!)

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Greg Satell because it provides insights on how industries are affected by innovation and technology.

Understanding the affect of innovation and the Internet of things in business.

How Technology Has Changed Companies

We are experiencing new technological changes like never before in Internet history. I agree that we need to understand this affect for our own business productivity.

Satell explains the various changes in technology, and which industries have been affected.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Agriculture is greatly impacted by innovation. Ecology is now data driven, which directly affects our water systems. This sector is now partnering with big tech companies like IBM.

• Digital connectivity continues to transform physical machines. The age of the computer has evolved instead of gone away.

• Water is the new oil because of technological advances. This means that we can be more efficient commercially and that is good news for politics.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/ZyzB30bSXXk

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Michael Brenner because it explains how to improve your marketing ROI for more sales.

By measuring your results you can move toward a more profitable business online.

Solve Marketing ROI for Better Results

Many advertisers have dismal results when it comes to running an ad campaign. I agree that in order to attain your sales goals you need to first understand how to measure your results.

Brenner explains the first steps toward improving your marketing ROI.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Start by measuring the sales from your marketing campaigns minus the investment you put into them, and then dividing this number. This will give you insights on trade-offs of what works and what doesn't.

• It's important to differentiate between ROI investments and financial statements. Find out whether you are including things like corporate expenses in your measurements.

• Stick to the programs that you can measure. Digital content is something you can gather data on with proven results.

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Lead feature image: 123rf

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/zej030bC44A

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Orla Forrest because it explains how to run a smart SMS marketing campaign with better results.

You can reach your prospects through specific SMS strategies.

Exploring the Mobile SMS Marketing Method

When a business sends out a marketing text message it can get either get deleted or missed. I agree that your customers will respond as you reach them with the right approach.

Forrest shows you several ways to improve your SMS marketing strategy for more sales.

Here's what caught my attention:

• You will have more coupon redemption rates if you are sending a message to an email subscriber. On demand coupons have an even greater response.

• Because almost all customers own a mobile phone it is very easy to have them act upon a promotion sent via text. People can store these in their phone and easily access them for later.

• Tailor your coupons for every day consumer related products. Be sure to personalize the message and send 3 to 4 texts a month.

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Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/MtqX30btO8e

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Brian Zeng because it explains how to successfully engage your B2B customers with mobile marketing.

You can reach your business clients through specific mobile strategies.

Exploring the Mobile B2B Experience

Every business should invest in a mobile marketing strategy. I agree that your B2B customers will respond as you reach them where they are active.

Zeng shows you several ways to improve your marketing strategy through social mobile.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Most B2B clients use their smart phones as an extension of their laptops and desktops. Your business should consider them to be consumers also.

• Google now prefers websites that are mobile-friendly. This is why businesses and marketers need to update in order to expand their reach.

• You can reach your audience through automation. This provides a personalized experience for your clients whether you are a B2C or B2B.

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Image: Courtesy of Pixabay.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/wb4530bctVP

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Liaqat Ali Hamiya because it provides insights into how to effectively create a strong marketing plan.

It's important for your business to have an effective marketing plan in addition to your business plan.

Marketing Success Strategies

In order to move your marketing in the right direction you need to have both short-term and long-term goals. I agree that this enables us to know who our target market is and how to best reach them.

Hamiya explains the right steps to take in order to build a successful business marketing plan.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Use situation analysis to look into the market conditions. This provides insights on what to do, what to add, and what to avoid in order to make the best decisions.

• There is always a changing demand for products and services. Knowing about market growth can help your business anticipate future trends how to best meet your customers' needs.

• Your marketing strategy needs to be unique with a strong impact on your community. This should include both offline and online methods such as social media, email marketing, content creation, etc.

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Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/dzoN30b21KK

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Good blueprint for building an effective marketing plan from Curatti.

I selected this article from Curatti written by Raymond Morin because it explains the latest results by Nielsen on the habits of social media users.

The biggest audience on social media is not millennials after all.

The Changing Landscape in Marketing Online

People between the ages of 35 and 50 spend the most amount of time on social networks. I agree that this reveals the younger generation prefer to spend their time on mobile devices.

Morin explains the details of the study and explains how brands need to respect the values of their community with genuine interactions on social media.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The use of social media differs according to the type of platform that is used. For example, on Facebook 178.8 million users log on with their smart phone in the U.S.

• Depending on the nature of the social network, the nature of the users also changes. They will interact in different ways with brands.

• Generations also have differences. Millenials are most likely to follow a business to gather information about them and to be entertained. Gen X'rs tend to follow for promotions, and Baby Boomers follow for promotions and information.

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Lead feature image copyright: 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/JS2q30aKxiL

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I selected this article from Curatti written by John Jantsch because it explains how buyers are drawn to stories about them -- not the brand.

Create a story that will grab your ideal customer's attention.

New Customer Approaches for Content

Stories have the power to cause large groups of people to take action. I agree that in order to reach more leads you need to approach them on their level through targeted content.

Jantsch explains how to make the story of your audience core to your brand.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Begin by knowing what your brand represents. What is the one thing that you can offer over the competition? Your message should compel your audience to care.

• Create a picture of your ideal customer or buyer persona. This will help you to better visualize who your target market is and what drives them to action.

• Use story as a narrative to guide the customer through a journey. This will show them exactly how you can solve their problems.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/DBzS30aqelQ

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Michael Brenner because it provides insight on how to build an authentic brand that your audience will love.

Make your brand more attractive by humanizing the persona.

Effectively Reach Your Target Market

Trusted recommendations can help attract customers to your brand. I agree that you can accomplish this by creating incentives for influencers to share what you have to offer.

Brenner goes over how to improve the 'likability' factor for your business marketing.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Many people don't trust anyone trying to sell to them. You need to humanize your content in order to reach them in an trustworthy way.

• Talk to your customers in real-time, one-on-one. Answer their questions with helpful advice when they visit your website.

• We are not influenced by celebrities --- we take notes from each other. Encourage your community to make referrals and leave positive reviews.

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Read full article here: http://ow.ly/TFMX30acBBW

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to use social customer service to better connect with your customers.

Integrating digital channels can help you improve your sales and customer relations.

Make Better Connections Through Social Customer Service

You can nurture your customers each and every day. I agree that you can reach them through specific platforms and technology.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your social customer service with mobile and other social channels.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The use of smart phones has changed the way buyers interact with businesses. Mobile makes it faster and more comfortable to get the answers we need.

• Your brand can't afford to to waste time and money on the wrong digital platforms. It's important to carefully choose the best one for your business before taking on too much.

• Leverage live video events to answer your customers' pressing questions. This increases brand awareness and spreads the word about your business.

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Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/O1E0309EFxJ

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Ashley Faulkes
 because it shows you how to boost your website traffic.

Unusual methods that will attract visitors to your landing page.

4 Ways to Increase Website Traffic

In order to get more visitors online you need to have the right strategies in place. I agree that by paying attention to what Google is telling you and discovering any issues with your website can be very helpful.

Faulkes provides unique strategies you can use to improve your traffic.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Google will let you know what kinds of keywords you are ranking for as well as your page rank. This can help you discover what is working and what is not.

• Use your main keywords on your homepage. These will show up in Google's search results.

• Add amazing free images that Google will pick up on. This attracts more readers and visitors, and are very easy to find on places like Unsplash and Pixabay.

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Image: Courtesy of Pixabay.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/kALa309gFUL

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Martin Shervington because it explains how to successfully connect with your customers.

True marketing today is based on customer service online

Bring More to Your Clients

Being active and involved with your customers is the key to growth in sales. I agree that your business can better provide for them by staying on top of questions and feedback.

Shervington shows you several ways to improve your customer service strategy through relationship building.

Here's what caught my attention:

• When using social listening your business will need to pay attention to both the facts and the emotions of your community in order to be effective in meeting their needs.

• Evaluate your current sales process and how you are following up with your customers. Find out what results this is producing -- more than likely this can be improved upon.

• If your company includes a team or employees make use of their knowledge and expertise. This provides a friendly atmosphere for your clients.

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Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/Q9bV308yFKA

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