The rules of retail were completely rewritten in 2020. Flea markets and swap meets shut down for a period of time, most consumers turned to online shopping, and brands had to figure out new ways to market to their customer base. Now that business owners have had time to settle in and get back on their feet, it is time to bring your products to shoppers and take that beloved in-store shopping experience online.
Live Social Media Videos
Simply having an online presence is not enough anymore, since 73 percent of consumers say a good experience is a key influence on their brand loyalties. In order to get their attention, many retail brands utilized their down time in 2020 to get creative and think of new ways to reach out to their customers at home — one of the main ways being through live social media videos. Brands are able to use these live videos to virtually interact with shoppers and show them new products.
“It is all about doing the homework and taking a holistic approach,” Melissa Gonzalex, CEO of The Lionesque Group and Principal of MG2m, said. “From fitness and wellness to beauty and apparel, live selling engages viewers in an authentic way and enables consumers to do everything from giving live feedback to making a purchase without leaving the stream. Step one is targeting the content to match the audience. Step two is being ready for two-way engagement and having a team or dedicated person on hand to answer immediate dialogue. Success is in the immediacy of the experience.”
Make Virtual Shopping Appointments
Just like if you were to show a customer around your booth and introduce them to new products, creating appointments through Zoom or Google Meet allows you to virtually show consumers around your booth or store and let them see your merchandise. This is a safe way to make personal connections with shoppers while also increasing revenue and loyalty. It also gives them a chance to see how products work, such as with a toy or seeing the texture of clothing items, that they would otherwise only be able to experience in person.
Continue the Personalized Experience Offline
When customers order your products from online, since you cannot thank them for their purchase in person, you can thank them by including a handwritten ‘thank you’ note inside of their package, a small little freebie such as a sticker or keychain with your brand name on it, or even a discount code to go towards their next purchase. Think of anything that you would give your customers in person to entice them to shop from you, and include those little goodies in their shipment. As small as the goodies may be, it definitely makes a personal connection between you and your customer and makes them want to buy from your booth again.