Customer advocacy programs have been on the rise among brands worldwide. It can attribute to the change in working methodology since the inception of social media.

Customer advocacy programs have gained such importance because of the results they deliver – such as an increase in business profits in less time. Without further ado, we will discuss four primary reasons why businesses use customer advocacy programs so extensively.

a. Low Cost of Customer Acquisition:

A brand makes considerable sales through references made by customers to their friends and relatives. It has become a viral integration system, as well as a sort of marketing strategy. The program helps the business grow by spreading awareness of products through hand-picked customers of the brand.

If customers do not see value in a brand’s work, they are unlikely to refer it to their friends and family. The brand also stands the risk of losing its customers forever. We know, for a fact, that customer advocacy programs heighten sales by motivating customers to send more customer referrals.

b. Competitive Edge:

A loyal customer-following goes a long way in generating buzz and creating a positive brand image. A brand entering a new market will most certainly face stiff competition. Even in a niche market, the brand will have to find a way to survive high prices and the need for quality supplies. Such situations can become huge problems for brands, making them lose valuable customers, credibility, and trust. 

However, customer advocacy programs help businesses by creating a promotional channel that runs parallel to your social media marketing strategy. They empower your most loyal advocates to actively promote your products and services to an extensive network of prospective customers on social media. 

It becomes easier to understand how customer advocacy programs work well when you hone in on people’s tendency to make snap judgments of a product based on feedback from someone they know who has had first-hand experience with a brand.

c. Increased Sales:

When you have numerous customers advocating on your behalf through social media outlets, your business stands a better chance of striking a rhythm within the market. Influential customers recommend a company’s products and services to their network, build trust in the market, and increase acceptance of the business’ offerings. 

Customer advocates generate demand in the market by spreading positive reviews of the brand through sharing their experiences. That is why it becomes imperative that customer advocates are chosen wisely. Influential customers can create a tremendous increase in demand and raise sales. 

Therefore, it is essential that the advocates are well motivated, which becomes easy when incentives such as exclusive offers, rewards, and points are given for referring your business to new customers. In turn, this generates engagement that leads to loyalty development and, ultimately, sales.

d. Better Customer Service:

The most important reason for businesses to use a customer advocacy program is the need to monitor how their customers feel that they are being treated. If a company sells one of the best products in the market but does not treat its customers the right way, it will ultimately lose customers. There is great value in excellent customer service. 

In other words, the customer’s focus on the product usually comes after their focus on the quality of customer service. Customers tend to feel offended when they are not given the attention they think they deserve, mostly when their inquiries are not readily attended.

The results are usually atrocious for the business. Customers start drifting away, end up choosing another brand, and rarely do they ever return. Customer attrition is, thus, a considerable concern. 

Conclusion

NextBee’s customer advocacy programs develop distinct touchpoints that help a brand address its customers’ queries through advocates.

The customer advocates also act as brand representatives, allowing the quicker exchange of information between customers and the brand. Brands that tend to their customer’s needs find their place in the market quicker, enabling them to grow faster. 

Of course, there will be resistance initially, which is why customer advocacy programs offer quick and reliable solutions. It helps a business to capture the customer’s interest and break down any customer apprehensions about the product.