How can you identify potential brand advocates?

1 Define your ideal advocate

Before you start looking for brand advocates, you need to have a clear idea of who they are and what they value. Think about your target audience, your brand personality, and your goals. What kind of customers are most likely to share your brand story, engage with your content, and recommend your offerings? What motivates them to do so? What benefits do they expect from you? Create a profile of your ideal advocate based on these criteria.

2 Monitor your online presence

One of the easiest ways to spot potential brand advocates is to monitor your online presence. Use social media listening tools, Google Alerts, or customer feedback platforms to track what people are saying about your brand, products, or services online. Look for positive mentions, reviews, ratings, testimonials, or user-generated content that showcase your brand value. Identify the sources of these messages and reach out to them to express your appreciation and encourage further engagement.

3 Segment your email list

Another way to identify potential brand advocates is to segment your email list based on the level of interest and loyalty of your subscribers. You can use metrics such as open rate, click-through rate, purchase frequency, repeat purchases, or lifetime value to measure how engaged and satisfied your customers are with your brand. Segment your email list into different groups based on these metrics and tailor your communication accordingly. For example, you can send exclusive offers, rewards, or invitations to your most loyal customers to make them feel special and valued.

4 Create a loyalty program

A loyalty program is a great way to reward your existing customers and attract new ones. It can also help you identify potential brand advocates who are willing to join and participate in your program. A loyalty program can offer various incentives, such as discounts, freebies, points, badges, or access to VIP events, to encourage customers to buy more, stay longer, and spread the word. You can also use your loyalty program to collect data and feedback from your customers and use it to improve your products or services.

5 Ask for referrals

Referrals are one of the most powerful forms of marketing, as they rely on the trust and credibility of your existing customers. Asking for referrals is a simple and effective way to identify potential brand advocates who are happy to recommend your brand to their friends, family, or colleagues. You can ask for referrals in various ways, such as sending an email, adding a call-to-action on your website, or creating a referral program. You can also offer incentives, such as discounts, coupons, or cash rewards, to both the referrer and the referee to increase the chances of conversion.

6 Build relationships

The key to turning potential brand advocates into actual ones is to build strong and lasting relationships with them. You need to show them that you care about them, not just their money. You can do this by providing excellent customer service, delivering value, soliciting feedback, resolving issues, creating a community, or sharing your brand story. You can also leverage social media, email, or other channels to communicate with them regularly, provide useful information, and invite them to join your conversations. By building relationships, you can foster trust, loyalty, and advocacy among your customers.