There's no better way to market your company or to add some "pow!" to your credibility than to have your satisfied customers do the work for you.  When you give these happy customers the power to make a difference in your business, they automatically become more emotionally invested in the relationship and your company's success.  Everyone likes to know that their voice has been heard and that they have made a positive impact, so why wouldn't you capitalize on your biggest marketing asset- your current customers- by empowering them to help you to be better and to earn more business?

Here are three basic strategies that we believe are important for all businesses to embrace:

Desiree Scales, Owner of Bella Web Design, Inc., also has some great ideas that she shares in an article about customer empowerment (some that we too need to apply too!) which are:

• Offer a referral fee. You can bet that [customers who refer us will get 10% off] just for referring us. It’s a policy we’ve had since we opened our doors and our customers really respond to this.
• Ask them for help. Let your customers know what you’re up to first and ask their opinions. Empower them to become a sort of advisory board. People love to help companies they believe in.
• Make it easy to talk about you. Include your social media links on all emails to everyone. Include links to your website and blogs. Make it simple for people to click and share all of your articles online.
• Sing your customer’s praises. Talk about their business and share their stories online. Promote them on your website.
• Give them a reason to talk about you. Be consistent in letting people know what’s new and improved with your company. Share the news every once in a while.
• Let them know you love them. I enjoy sending customers helpful articles about their industry. I just surprised a relocation client yesterday with an idea one of their competitors had in their industry which I thought they could localize. He emailed me back with much appreciation. A little love goes a long way.

So what are you waiting for?  We all have some work to do on empowering our customers, and there's no better day to get started than today.  If you need some help kicking off your new focus on "customer empowerment," let us help you.