Online shopping is all the rage these days, with e-commerce sales projected to hit a whopping $4.9 trillion by 2021. With so many online stores popping up, it's more important than ever to find a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new customers. And that's where customer referrals come in! Turns out, people trust recommendations from their friends and family more than anything else. Plus, when customers are referred to your store, they're more likely to make a purchase and spend more money - it's a win-win! In this article, we're diving into 10 fun and creative ways to use social media to get those customer referrals rolling in. Get ready to take your online store to the next level!
Social media has become an indispensable part of modern marketing, providing a powerful platform for businesses of all sizes to connect with customers, build their brand, and drive sales. And when it comes to customer referrals, social media can be a game-changer, allowing you to tap into the vast network of people your customers are connected to and drive new business for your online store.
Here are 10 proven strategies for using social media to get customer referrals:
- Encourage Sharing: Encourage your customers to share your products and services with their friends and followers on social media. This can be as simple as including social sharing buttons on your website and in your marketing emails, or offering incentives such as discounts or special offers for successful referrals.
Example: Offer a 10% discount on their next purchase for every new customer they refer who makes a purchase.
- Leverage User-Generated Content: Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your products and services on social media. This can include photos, testimonials, and even video reviews. User-generated content is highly trusted and can be a powerful way to showcase the benefits of your products and services.
Example: Run a "Show us how you use our product" social media contest and offer prizes for the best submissions.
- Host Social Media Contests: Run contests on social media that encourage your customers to refer friends and family to your online store. Offer prizes for the customers who refer the most people, or for the people who make the most purchases.
Example: Run a "Refer-A-Friend" contest on Facebook and offer a $100 gift card for the customer who refers the most people to your store.
- Create a Referral Program: Create a referral program that incentivizes your customers to refer friends and family to your online store. Offer rewards for successful referrals, such as discounts, special offers, or even cash bonuses.
Example: Offer a $10 credit for every new customer they refer who makes a purchase.
- Share Customer Testimonials: Share testimonials from your satisfied customers on social media to showcase the benefits of your products and services. Testimonials are a powerful form of social proof and can help build trust with potential customers.
Example: Share customer reviews on your Instagram page, using a quote and a photo of the customer.
- Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers in your niche who can promote your products and services to their followers on social media. This can be a highly effective way to reach a new audience and drive referrals.
Example: Work with a popular fashion blogger to feature your handmade jewelry on their Instagram page.
- Offer Exclusive Deals: Use social media to offer exclusive deals and promotions to your followers. Encourage them to share these deals with their friends and family. This can be a great way to incentivize customers to refer others to your online store.
Example: Offer a 10% discount code to your Facebook followers that can be used by their friends and family.
- Utilize Paid Advertising: Invest in targeted social media advertising to reach new customers and drive referrals. This can include advertising on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Example: Use Facebook's Lookalike Audience feature to target people who are similar to your existing customers and likely to be interested in your products.
- Engage with Your Customers: Respond to comments and messages from your customers on social media and engage with them on a regular basis. This can help build relationships with your customers and encourage them to refer others to your online store.
Example: A handmade pin and bead store could engage with their customers on Instagram by regularly responding to comments and messages and asking for feedback on their products. They could also create a fun and light-hearted Instagram story where they ask their followers to share pictures of their favorite pins and beads. By actively engaging with their customers on social media, the store can build stronger relationships and encourage their satisfied customers to refer their friends and family to the store.
By implementing these strategies and leveraging the power of social media, you can increase customer referrals and drive new business for your online store. And, as always, don't forget to have a little fun and keep things light!
In conclusion, leveraging social media to get customer referrals is a powerful strategy for online stores looking to grow their customer base and increase sales. With the right approach, you can tap into the power of word-of-mouth marketing and create a community of happy customers who are eager to spread the word about your store. Remember, the key to success is to be consistent, engaging, and responsive on social media. And if you need a little help along the way, there are a variety of tools, such as Hootsuite and Buffer, that can assist with social media management and scheduling. So go forth, get creative, and watch your referral business soar!
