Social media for startups: A tool for building better customer relationships

Faith Ocampo Published on July 1, 2016 Last updated on December 14, 2020

In today’s business landscape, making every conversation count is the key to success, and leaving social media out of the picture is not an option.

Many customers prefer to use Facebook or Twitter to contact brands simply because they’re easy to use. These sites are accessible with just a flick or a tap of the finger on an internet-enabled device.

people chatting calling talking inside smartphones

The mobile app versions of these sites, a feature that greatly adds convenience, attract millions upon millions of users. In fact, as of January 2020, the number of social media users around the world has risen to 3.80 billion, and more than five billion are using mobile as the point of access.

Brands of all sizes have started to embrace this trend. According to an article published on AdWeek, 91% of retailers juggle two or more social media channels to keep in touch with customers. By penetrating customers’ online social circle, businesses weave themselves into people’s everyday lives. For small businesses and startups, this is a great opportunity to create brand awareness and provide customer service.

However, although auspicious, social networking comes with big challenges particularly for budding entrepreneurs. If used the right way, however, it can be a powerful tool for building customer relationships that will last. For starters, remember these when interacting with your target audience on social networking sites.

  1. Engaging the audience in conversations

    businessman brand customer support agent speaking to demographic with bullhorn megaphone
    You may find yourself overpowered by social noise, and the challenge is to come up with a message that cuts through. This message should capture the interest of your target audience and make them want to talk to you.

    But how can you do that when you have hundreds, maybe even thousands, of competitors who are trying to do the same thing?

    Staying true to who you are as a brand and then showcasing what makes you unique can be a powerful strategy. Make sure that every detail on your social profile reflects the exact image that you want your target customers to see. If people feel like they know your organization at a deeper level, they’ll want to build a relationship with you.

  2. Responding to customers

    customer service team talking to customers on social media app
    Effective customer management is determined by your ability to respond to customers properly. All types of social media comments, be they positive or negative, warrant two things: acknowledgment and action.

    Instead of being aggressive, try to be assertive. And instead of projecting a spotless image, own up to your mistakes and show that you are striving to meet customers’ expectations. By creating a brand that people can trust, you can build better customer relationships.

  3. Monitoring and listening

    customer care team analyzing social media conversations
    Many, if not all, small businesses use social networking sites for two purposes: social media marketing and customer service. They can’t win at both without proper monitoring and social listening. In this context, monitoring entails tracking the interactions between brands and their customers. It also includes keeping tabs on the progress of your social campaigns as well as the feedback you generate from your followers.

    Social listening, on the other hand, is closely related to monitoring. However, it’s focus is on extracting insights and analyzing feedback trends so that managers can provide customer-centric services.

  4. Optimizing customers’ social media experience

    customer support agent helping consumer over social media smartphone
    Efficient and fast problem resolution is the key to optimizing the brand-customer interaction on social channels. Brands must also expand the customer service options of consumers by connecting social platforms to other communication channels like email, SMS, and voice calls. Widening the customers’ array of choices is one of the best ways to empower them.

Open Access BPO understands there’s often too much on a startup’s plate and a lot is riding on whether or not it can effectively market the brand while providing support via social media. So, get in touch with us and we’ll help you free up some time to concentrate on the more important functions of your business.

 

Faith is a digital media enthusiast aiming to become an active part of the tech world by sharing her insights. She likes to blog about everything digimarketing, technology, and social media.
Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
The holiday season is a double-edged sword for businesses. On one hand, it’s a golden opportunity to boost sales. On the other, it’s a daunting challenge to maintain exceptional #CustomerService amid the surge in inquiries and heightened expectations.

But fear not, brands, big or small! We know how to elevate your customer service game this holiday season: https://buff.ly/3OreCax

----------
You don't have to face the holiday rush alone.
Partner with a trusted #CustomerSupport call center that's powered the success of industry giants: https://buff.ly/40NMcP9

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #CX #CSat
#CustomerSatisfaction #CustomerExperience
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 is one of today's leading #BPO destinations, contributing to the #𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬' distinction as a premier player in the global #outsourcing scene. The city's economic strength proves its capacity to host rich #offshoring investments.

Its provincial rates, coupled with a population of highly skilled professionals make #Davao an ideal budget-friendly option for English language #BackOffice solutions.

Fuel your 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 with 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 delivered from 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐏𝐎 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨: https://buff.ly/3AMLpDq

----------
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐏𝐎
• Our Solutions: https://buff.ly/3YMscKj
• Our Other Locations: https://buff.ly/4evCh41

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 $𝟰𝟴 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿.
And this loss is expected to grow annually unless online retailers make a significant move to strengthen their #DataSecurity strategies.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁?

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀:
https://buff.ly/4hOEN8y

---------
For secure #outsourcing services trusted by global brands, elevate your business.
Contact us today: https://buff.ly/4fKNQpa

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#InformationSecurity #InfoSec
#InternationalFraudAwarenessWeek
#FraudDetection #FraudAwarenessWeek
Open Access BPO 8 days ago
𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲!

While internal security measures are crucial, there's strength in numbers.
Luckily, you don't have to face them alone.

#CallCenter outsourcing can be your secret weapon in the fight against these criminals.

Here's how #CallCenter outsourcing can be your reinforcement against these criminals: https://buff.ly/3Z0GZCa

----------
Partner with an #outsourcing partner that keeps #InfoSec a top priority alongside great #CustomerExperience: https://buff.ly/3YYV970

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#InformationSecurity #InfoSec
#InternationalFraudAwarenessWeek
#FraudDetection #FraudAwarenessWeek
Open Access BPO 9 days ago
It's crucial to meet your customers' expectations, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances can get in the way.

Here's a quick guide on how to handle those challenging moments and come out stronger with our #CustomerSupport strategy: https://buff.ly/3O7gYLa

----------
Let's turn mishaps into opportunities: https://buff.ly/3O26Bsc

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerExperience #CX #CSat
Open Access BPO 9 days ago
A positive word-of-mouth isn't the only benefit that #CustomerService has with your marketing.

It's a bit more complex than that, to be honest, but our blog can guide you through it all: https://buff.ly/3YZom1B

----------
Entrust your #outsourcing needs to a company that not only upholds your brand's message but propels you towards success.

Discover how we align with your vision: https://buff.ly/3UKZHLC

#WeSpeakYourLanguage