Online communities are powerful tools to help you establish that million-dollar business!
Of course, certain products and services are more fit for building an online community than others. If you are selling a very straightforward, no-brainer product like printing paper you will have a hard time creating a dynamic community.
However, if your product is something that addresses unknowns and fears, concerns a rapidly changing area (e.g. search engine optimization) or involves a topic that people are passionate about, an online community could do a lot for your bottom line.
Let us explain the 5 major benefits.
1. Real Discussions
Online communities offer your prospective customers the ability to discuss their fears and inhibitions related to buying your product with real people that have had similar fears. Your current customers can reassure your prospects and in that way urge them to buy your product. An active discussion constitutes great word-of-mouth buzz which is a powerful viral marketing tool to spread the reach of your site. Online communities provide additional avenues for your name to reach customers who may not normally have known about the site.
2. Enhance Your Website
An online community will make your site feel alive and dynamic. If your product is currently discussed by a lot of people, you must be a 'hot topic' right now. Wouldn't you want to be able to join the discussion?
3. Create Relationships
Online communities are also great tools to create an ongoing relationship with your customers without having to do any work. By having your customer discuss with each other, they will be reminded of your website and products and will know where to go when they're ready for more!
4. Cut Down Cost of Customer Support
It can save you a lot of time in your customer service.
Let customers answer one another's questions. Instead of typing endless emails, you will only have to moderate.
5. Gather Testimonials
Online communities are an easy way to gather glowing testimonials from your customers.
If you find an enthusiastic posting, you can contact the customer and ask permission to use the text on your site or in your promotions. But these are only the benefits on your side of the fence.
Think about all the benefits for your customers! Because a community is anonymous, customers can openly share their concerns and thoughts without having to worry about judgement being passed.
A community satisfies the internal need to be listened to and share experiences with others. It creates a place where they can connect to like-minded people and feel connected. Because an online community creates this win-win opportunity it is a very effective tool to use.
Summary
Online communities are powerful tools to boost sales and free up your time from customer support. Because an online community creates a place to discuss your product as well as post and answer questions, both you and your customers can benefit greatly.
Use the great viral marketing that an online community can create to your advantage, and to that of your subscribers!
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Bjorn Brands is a successfull enterprenuer who transitioned from having his own building company to a great online business. Check out his site and see for yourself how his FREE course can help you do the same at
http://www.moneyacces.com
