Relationship Marketing - Why You Need it in Your Marketing Plan

Business owners everywhere incorporate marketing tactics every week and every month. Their purpose is to tell the world about their mission and their products or services. Without marketing and without millions of dollars in your advertising budget, not a single soul would know you have a business, never mind want to make a purchase with you.

Why? Because people buy from those who they know, like, and trust. They want to know that you’re a real person with real feelings instead of someone who only cares about the almighty dollar.

People want to know you’re not a scam artist who will steal their last dollar without providing a product. They want to hear recommendations from others who have purchased before them to be sure your product delivered what it promised.

People with purchase power want a relationship with you before they buy.

Relationship-based marketing gives you:

1. Marketing Visibility

In order to have a relationship with a single person or large audience, you need to interact with them. Get to know THEIR likes and dislikes, know what problems they are experiencing, and think about how you can help them solve their problem.

To learn this information, you’ll be forced to be consistent with your interaction, whether on social media or in real life, naturally giving you more visibility.

2. Authority

Do you share your knowledge with your audience, or do you save that only for paying customers? Sharing your knowledge, practical experience, and even case studies for free will position you as a knowledgeable authority figure and an expert in their field who cares about helping others. Platforms such as social media, podcasts, YouTube videos, or writing an ebook or short reports are all ways to both increases your authority rank and your visibility.

3. A stellar reputation

Can you see how Visibility and Authority build on each other and lead to a Stellar Reputation? As you interact with people and become an authority figure, your audience will naturally form an opinion about you. If you over-deliver with your products or your signature programs, your reputation will continue to shine. Overall, a stellar reputation will shorten the length of time it takes you to earn the trust of your audience or new followers.

4. Happy and enthusiastic fans

You’ll know you’ve made it when fans are clamoring for your latest product and tell all their friends how wonderful you are! This is the ultimate result of relationship marketing and worth all the time and effort!

One key to remember is to never stop the process of building relationships. Like gears in a clock, you must find a way to consistently interact, show your authority, improve your reputation, and take care of your happy fans. Keep these gears working to consistently grow your business for years to come.

Confused about How to Start Building Relationship?

Don’t be. Just remember - relationship marketing should be a solution where everyone benefits. You should gain visibility, authority, and happy fans. In addition, your audience should be thrilled with the value that you deliver to them!

Need help planning the social media marketing part of it? Check out our plug-n-play 24-month social media content calendar to streamline the process for you!