Believe it or not, the relationship between a company and a client has changed dramatically over a few years. They have pushed their boundaries and are no longer restricted to just making a simple purchase decision. Nowadays, they have access to numerous suppliers selling the same products but they ultimately end up buying from the one who they feel connected with.
This makes clear that consumers need to have a certain kind of relationship with the companies which they buy from. And according to me, this is what businesses can capitalize on. Making customers a part of their business operations, directly or indirectly, can prove to be extremely beneficial. The idea is to develop associations and connections with the clients and take it to the next level by making your creative client churn out unique content for you.
So, if you’re looking for developing a cost-effective content marketing campaign, consider collaborating with your clients, no matter whether they are end consumers or vendors. Setting up creative partnerships plays a significant role in developing customer satisfaction. This creative association not only helps them open up but also provides them with a platform to do something artistic. On the flip side, it gives an access to creative people who can contribute to your online marketing campaign.
Here are a few quick ways to identify creative customers and capitalize on a creative association:
1. Source Consumers/Clients with Significant Social Footprint
Not everyone can churn out creative content for you. First you will have to identify the customers that have significant and meaningful social footprint. Those who have an interest in writing or producing videos can be distinguished easily from their social media pages.
You can also organize trade shows or some creative events inviting people to participate and come up with a creative slogan or story. Such shows and contests can help you determine who can participate in your content marketing initiative.
If you deal with vendors, you must know about their creative skills. Analyze how they can help you out in creating content for your marketing campaign.
2. Brainstorm on How to Collaborate with Creative Client
Find out the areas on which your clients/customers would like to work on or are good at. For example, if you organize a writing contest, you will come across some people who are good at literature writing while some with an inclination towards commercial writing. Evaluate how and where you can use both types of content.
The next step is to identify the ways to collaborate with them. Whether you want them to work on part time basis for you or just create and submit content from their own location. You may also motivate them by rewarding them with gift hampers, coupons or any other thing that you want to. Crack down a deal where you could gain exposure online using their creative content and they can get a great product from you that fit their needs.
3. Tell Them You Would Like to Work With Them
So, after you have identified the creative client/customer, now you’ll have to approach them to let them know that you are interesting in taking them on-board Remember their willingness to work with you depends upon the experience they had with you. It also depends on the value of product and service they receive. Whenever you pitch them for co-creating, give stress on establishing good quality partnerships. You have to be passionate and make client believe that this will be a mutually beneficial association.
4. Keep in Regular Touch
No matter if your content marketing campaign is not intense and you don’t need content on regular basis. Keep in regular touch with your clients/customers informing them about the latest developments or asking feedback from them. This won’t let the association die or interest of your client in creating fade out. Continued relationship keeps them motivated to work for you whenever you need.
These are a few ideas using which you can create mutually beneficial associations with your clients and make them create content for you. What other ideas can you think of? Please share with us.