Keeping customers loyal to your program bolsters your reputation and keeps your business running steady.
By Jennifer Paulson
You probably think about using your social media channels to attract new customers. But they’re also key to keeping current ones. Be sure to consider each of these tips when developing your social media strategy and plan or when you speak with your social media manager about your goals and needs.
1. Show Your Customers as Heroes.
Featuring your customers and/or their horses makes them feel like an essential component of your business. It really shows that success is shared between the two of you, and you both understand your clients’ goals. This doesn’t have to be only win photos. It can be mini goals met at the barn, riding a new horse for the first time, or helping around your place. Showing a customer’s journey highlights their hard work and makes them feel like they’re part of your team and that you’re proud of them.
Side Benefit: By highlighting these journeys, potential customers see your results-driven process.
2. Give Thanks.
Take time to thank your customers—individually or as a group—on your social media. Showing gratitude goes a long way, especially when you shout it from the rooftops of Facebook and Instagram.
Side Benefit: Outsiders see your gratitude and emulate it by integrating it into their routines, which elevates the entire industry to a more mindful, grateful place.
3. Highlight Your Help.
Your help plays a huge role in your business, whether it’s day-to-day at home or on the road at events. Highlight the hard work they put in and express your appreciation for their effort.
Side Benefit: This increases employee engagement.
4. Start a Friendly Challenge.
Challenge your riders to a contest, and highlight their participation. Keep it fun, light, and easy so everyone is comfortable. It can be as simple as decorating a stall front or a bareback riding challenge.
Side Benefit: These efforts build camaraderie between your customers and make them feel like family.
5. Support a Cause.
Get everyone to put effort into supporting a common cause. This can be something reining-related such as the Reining Horse Foundation or something in your barn’s community, such as joining an effort to build a playground or work for Habitat for Humanity.
Side Benefit: Non-clients see that you prioritize efforts outside your barn that bring value to others.
