The holidays are just around the corner, along with Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Holiday shopping stats from CMO estimate that total holiday season sales for retail in 2014 are expected to reach $863 billion, up from $822 billion last year. More sales mean it’s time to bump up your Social customer service to a higher level during the holidays.
Recently I tuned in to a Twitter and SproutSocial #SmallGoesBig webinar, Effective Social Customer Care for the Holidays. The webinar provided some great stats and insight as to why Social customer service is so important during this time of year, along with recommended ways to deal with customers on Social. Here are some of the takeaways, along with why these extra holiday efforts will benefit your brand as a whole.
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Source: Twitter & SproutSocial #SmallGoesBig Webinar: Effective Social Customer Care for the Holidays
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Be Prepared
During the holidays, shoppers will turn to Social to ask more questions than normal. For this reason, it’s a good idea to take the time to compile a list of questions your customers have asked in the past as well as questions you think they may ask. Think about questions that may arise based on your holiday sales, shipping times, limited-time items, and so on. Have answers for you and your Social team ready to reply for when consumers ask those questions so response time can be quick and customers can be happy!
Be Responsive
Positive Buzz: People sharing a positive experience or message about your brand on Social Media is a powerful thing. CMO’s holiday shopping stats reported that 50% of sales will somehow be influenced by digital interaction, such as browsing online. Seeing positive reviews and experiences with a brand helps build a consumer’s trust, which is why it’s important for your brand to show its appreciation. Take the time to RT, Like, Share, or engage with the positive buzz in some way.
Negative Buzz: Think you can just ignore negative feedback that comes your brand’s way? Think again! An Econsultancy study reported 72% of customers expect complaints on Twitter to be answered within an hour. Ignoring negative buzz or feedback about your brand is out of the question. Polite, timely responses are what are required to turn a negative brand experience into a positive one.
People reach out to a brand’s social channels for many reasons; to voice their opinions about your brand or products, to share a positive experience, general inquiries, or to share negative experiences. What’s important to remember is the old saying, “The customer is always right.” Whether you’re dealing with a happy or angry customer, always remember that even though you’re online, you’re dealing with a person. People are reaching out to your brand’s social channel for a reason, so be human and deliver the most positive customer service experience possible to turn them into repeat buyers.
Whether they’re positive or negative, don’t let your customer’s posts and Tweets to your brand go unanswered! Contact our team of Social Media Marketing professionals and we’ll help your brand cruise through the holidays!
