4 ways to build a meaningful community.
How to build, scale, and leverage a collective of customers—authentically.
We know firsthand how challenging it can be to build an authentic community in today’s ever-evolving digital world. That’s why we’ve pulled together some straightforward and cost-effective strategies to help you establish a genuine community and boost customer loyalty. The key ingredients are effective communication, delivering genuine value, and acknowledging that brand and customer relationships are a two-way street.
Let’s start with something simple, yet effective—creating a newsletter. You don't need to be a design whiz to make it work. Instead, focus on delivering real value to your customers and fans. Share some useful information about the industry, teach them something new about your products or services, or offer up some creative ideas on how they can use your products. If you sell fitness equipment, what are some of the special movements you can do with the product? If you sell pots and pans, why not share some drool-worthy recipes?
Another great way to foster a sense of community is by seeking out customer feedback. You can do this right through your newsletter program! People love to share their opinions, and by taking the time to respond to their feedback, you can take your relationship with them to the next level.
Some great prompts for consumer goods customer feedback:
Are there any features you feel are missing from our product?
Are there any new colors or sizes you're dying to see?
What's the next product you'd like us to bring to life?
This brings us to another crucial element: providing top-notch customer service. Don't underestimate the power of promptly responding to your customers' emails, DMs, or voicemails. This one seems simple, but is often overlooked. If someone writes you an email, write them back! If they leave a voicemail, call them back. And if someone isn’t happy, do your very best to make it right. Think less about the cost of replacing an item and more about fostering loyalty and trust. Play the long game, as these people will become your customers for life.
Along with excellent customer service, it's also essential to engage with your customers on social media. Anyone on your team can do this! Respond to comments and messages and show your customers that you're there for them. A little bit of engagement can go a long way. Think of how good it makes you feel when a brand responds to you on Instagram. Be this kind of brand to your followers!
A brand that has a community rallied around it is really a brand that has a group of lifetime customers. With a few simple, yet thoughtful steps, you can create a thriving community of loyal customers who will keep coming back for more. Keep your content fresh and valuable and always be ready to respond when someone takes the time to reach out. Remember, building a community takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it.
Two years ago, we started Mvnifest: a company born of wanting to make everything easier for other consumer brands. We manage every aspect of the consumer goods brand lifecycle, from ideation to fulfillment, and are the swiss army knife in your favorite brands’ back pockets. We’re waxing poetic on some of our favorite industry trends, tips, and takeaways for consumer goods brand builders, founders, and the teams behind them. Subscribe to our substack for the bi-weekly blueprint for Consumer Goods founders.