The way we use the internet is changing almost day by day. Just a few years back, social sites like Facebook, YouTube and others were just dreams in a few peoples minds … and today they feature in a very large percentage of peoples lives! I would guess, among my friends & family, probably 70% have a Facebook account … and given that many of them aren’t in internet-related businesses at all, I think that’s quite significant.
(Interesting fact: did you know that YouTube shows up more in Google’s top 10 results for searches than any other site?)
This is important, as it also means that the way people are doing business is changing. Old sales and marketing techniques are less effective than before; people are far more savvy about what’s available to them, and they want their purchases to make them feel better, or enhance their lives in some way. Customer service has never been more important – especially when it’s becoming so much simpler to switch loyalty if you’re not satisfied with a company.
Let’s face it, business has changed. Many business are turning to communities (also known as membership sites) to enhance their brands, increase customer loyalty and improve their bottom line.
Members enjoy exclusive access to events, info, special offers and other perks, and in certain instances are willing to pay for the privilege. Examples of popular membership sites include wine clubs, specialist meat suppliers, software creators, book reviewers and car manufacturers – the list is limited by good products or services, good value … and imagination!
———————————————–
If your business could benefit from increased customer loyalty, watch the first in a series of videos that explains how two companies are adjusting to what their customers want:
Is your business doing the same? Watch the video to find out.
Enjoy!
Tracey
P.S Don’t disregard this “trend”. As the video explains, it’s responsible for one customer spending over $80,000 during the last 5 years with one of the companies featured in this video:
NOTE: I am an affiliate for WishList Products.
Hi Angie,
You’re ahead of the game, having a community on the go already – well done
[I have a membership site for my "physical" website-building business (The Simple Web Company), where all my clients get free access, upon completion of their websites, to support videos, blog posts etc. It gives them value, helps with support (making it cheaper for them & easier for me
, and it's a great value-add to my website packages. Membership rocks!!]
Get in touch again if you need help with your membership site…
Best wishes
Tracey
I love membership sites and have been considering adding one myself in the near future. Right now I have a free community limited to only a small group of fellow bloggers I have built a relationship with. We share, collaborate, brainstorm. It has been such a growing experience for us all. I would love to add a paid membership option, I just need 24 more hours in each day.