{"id":37494,"date":"2024-09-25T11:10:48","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T15:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/?p=37494"},"modified":"2024-09-27T13:18:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T17:18:40","slug":"brand-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/brand-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Brand Love: How to Win Hearts by Connecting with Customers"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Be honest: when was the last time a brand <em>really<\/em> hooked you in?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For me, it happened a few months ago with Llamalife \u2013 a productivity time tracker that broke into my house (ok, not really, but it <em>might as well have <\/em>because it felt like it could read all my thoughts).\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcJzXznQWHDod2DVdT9xXj_FJ5AeE_dPyeHDBphXeTWbNBDxXP4IMDUFGqs4DoAaTnYBfaTANH8lJnxOIPKHDOUpi2I7WwnCw8OQ4U7-UGM9G7918NUsMlNRajREcP2OsVSfq5WUW2pZ25_Fw8du1oZ0kVn?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"696\" height=\"310\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Coming up for air from piles of never-ending lists, you <em>could<\/em> say I was a fan. Finally someone understood me! And it didn\u2019t just talk the talk \u2013 it actually organized my life and helped me stay on track. I couldn\u2019t wait to tell all my friends about it (I\u2019ve spared you from the other 5 paragraphs and 3 minute audio message):<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdVxKvY-dfls8ObqshV-GcFrtk3lhbXpXXbqqyIi5Bkeg77JuPBsstPg1DuzKBShCZZ8qmwmYD4PubaPfMZJhMXGKws9wvviB08aekLso10AVuI66PzQ9Q_wBQvRgRMhC5HsixdsJZeRxWVPf5jd6_rKj8o?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"669\" height=\"575\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When you feel so seen, you find yourself a self-professed sales rep: \u201cThis is <em>so you,<\/em>\u201d or \u201cThis is <em>so me.<\/em>\u201d That\u2019s the magic of <a href=\"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/word-of-mouth-marketing\/\">word-of-mouth marketing<\/a>: sharing the love!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So what makes some people rave about a brand, and others stay silent despite loving your product?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There\u2019s a whole art \u2013 and psychology \u2013 to it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And it starts with not being as *stale* as an 8 day-old piece of toast.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are some brands starting to feel bland?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve seen <em>those<\/em> LinkedIn posts, sales emails, or ad content that bored you to tears despite YOU being the target market.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>23 different brands all singing the same monotonous song:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cJoin our webinar to learn about the value of automation!\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cBoost team efficiency and revenue.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cHere\u2019s our new feature with a vague name that no one and their mother or their cat understands until you watch the 1 hour video or book a demo.\u201c<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I can\u2019t tell if I\u2019m the only one who can\u2019t scroll fast enough?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>It feels vague<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>It feels \u201csalesy\u201d<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>It\u2019s not relevant<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>It\u2019s doesn\u2019t feel helpful<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>It doesn\u2019t \u201cspark joy\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Without a crumb of originality or truly \u201cgetting\u201d the fears or anxieties of your customer, who would want to share an average brand that\u2019s so surface-level?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A tr<strong>\u00e9<\/strong>s tragique cautionary tale of what <em>not<\/em> to do.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you stand out in a growing epidemic of \u2018boring\u2019?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>To hook customers in, I like to be more specific. As a customer-obsessed marketer, here\u2019s how I approach it:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>What are they <em>actually<\/em> saying about you and your brand?\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>How can you show them you know exactly what they\u2019re going through?\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>What experience or feeling can you provide that competitors don\u2019t?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When you throw customer assumptions out the window, you can create a bridge between where customers are at <em>now<\/em>, and where they want to be. Show them you understand them. And that their perceptions matter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And in the end? You\u2019ll stand out in a foolproof \u201cun-copy-able\u201d way \u2013 simply by showing up for them in a way no one else can.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Companies shouldn\u2019t be afraid to show personality<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As consumers, we use endless products: printers, notebooks, phones etc. Maybe we even love them for their practicality.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But I don\u2019t have any particularly strong feelings about my Epson printer (who knows\u2026maybe <em>you<\/em> do?).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXd4eQy7J-1tptysplBfjolJ74KiJp500aGRvjq8hv1A9WF0g8Kz9HhMsK982t_HomS7-ismRaV4KctExPu12cdU9dtfxUWjeBnfeGN7iABIkx0ciCELQ9ntYtP8TADQVOwGXknLX2wvv3cVxsIvO-wdSQ3y?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"680\" height=\"527\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Why am I not obsessed with my printer might you ask? There\u2019s no story there. No romancing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I get it. Adding a little je ne-se-quoi to something so technical\u2026is HARD. But I would argue that\u2019s even more reason to do it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Let\u2019s say Epson did a campaign about fighting imposter syndrome in the workplace with a silly superhero costume.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I\u2019d laugh. I\u2019d relate to it. I\u2019d remember it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Now I\u2019m not saying everyone should go dress up in a superhero costume\u2026 of course at the end of the day you have a job to do with standards and checklists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But no one&#8217;s saying it has to be scripted word-for-word like a robot. You don\u2019t need to sound stiff and boring to still be professional. The devil lies in the\u2026connection. Because business <em>is<\/em> personal.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Try being relatable<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>If you are a big coffee-addict (like moi), let your customers know<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>If you&#8217;re passionate about your recent hiking achievement, share your pride<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>If you\u2019re nervous about your kid\u2019s upcoming recital, don\u2019t be afraid to share those butterflies<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>No matter how weird, funny, or quirky we are, people LOOOVE to match energies with one another. We become \u201csticky\u201d in their minds when they associate us with something.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And oh look: now you\u2019ve breathed life into the company with your interactions. It\u2019s not just a name now, it\u2019s a face with a story!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And a little fun.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Let your customer have their \u201cmain character\u201d moment<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Instead of sharing a laundry list of features, what if we actually made customers the hero of the story? This way, you read their minds and answer their always-on question:\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s in it for me?\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Llamalife wins my heart at this once again by:\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Talking to me in my own language instead of internal team jargon<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Acknowledging my pain and empowering attainable feel-good action<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Having me envision my life with the product or service (and feel the mind-numbing stakes of not!)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeolFbs1oUSUgNTnzNPN1NPmXkiGGW_b9CHCnNRI8qx4U5KxzLq21o7WxeTM6qYPACjZi0tT8dqcSh5U7xP-5ASpQmFnkaW9_ZmjdagZARLBKIjRw30jo2GwY_Z0TkpciicbK_TqSYGulyCU_7IKInQ47JB?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"675\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Let the customer woo-ing begin! Customers become obsessed with us because we\u2019re obsessed with them \u2013 it\u2019s a two way street! As long as that exists, the sign-ups, the clicks, the shares \u2013 they all inevitably come.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And btw I\u2019m having the time of my life with the Llamalife annual membership (no this isn\u2019t an ad\u2026but see what I <em>mean<\/em>?)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s more memorable than personalization?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>What can I say, we\u2019re all a bit narcissistic at heart. Dale Carnegie said: \u201cA person&#8217;s name is to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Starbucks is a perfect example of recognizing you by name. (At McDonalds, you\u2019re just a number.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But they don\u2019t stop there!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>They continue to attract a cult-like following of brand advocates with their rewards loyalty program. Talk about delighting your customer by sharing the right content at the right time. (Just try getting Starbucks out of your head \u2013 I dare you. You can\u2019t!)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>They hook you in with countless referral strategies like BOGO to <a href=\"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/starting-a-customer-loyalty-program\/\">up customer loyalty<\/a> and acquisition \u2013 is that not genius or what?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXd2gXRBR_F7ruPoEbO_dXV14neqkATj9MA6CTCVq8hjflph56fFHojbv0VzdiLfmJsNCTLBbrEt8Q6uLVx6u_KwEYojbDB1Y1X3PLnsJpZz9Wo47Ay3TIplXLqYBm_tU3zw1qdYvLOjaK8ZCbKk1O2iai14?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"682\" height=\"381\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Whether it\u2019s:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>personalized offers<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>relationship-building touchpoints<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>genuine curiosity to learn more about their life<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u2026you can make customers feel special by appreciating and recognizing them. (The bread and butter of obsession!).\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This of course only works if your interactions go beyond the regular, \u201cHi how are you? Good, how are you? Good\u201d customer service spiel. (That doesn\u2019t really <em>do<\/em> anything, does it.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If it\u2019s not genuine, customers will feel cheated. You have to really really care!\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Because no one likes being sold to.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why people relate to humans, not brands<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Look at popular brands with successful campaigns like &#8220;Real Beauty&#8221; or Airbnb&#8217;s &#8220;Belong Anywhere.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It was never about just selling soap or accommodation. It was about selling self-worth and belonging to a community. That\u2019s relatable! That\u2019s shareable!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Brands that master this strategic connection inspire their audiences to do all the sharing for them (Exhibit A: Llamalife \u2013 I can finally feel confident in my abilities!).\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Because you\u2019re in the business of making dreams come true through experiences, not products.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brand emotion is currency<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>No, but <em>literally<\/em>. A study in the Journal of Consumer Research showed that emotional responses to ads actually influence a person\u2019s intent to buy more than the actual content itself. And 71% of consumers say they are more likely to recommend a brand based on their emotional connection to it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeDhqcfa_-zfZ3142INEMWUpn3WLXWe7tN0hDxW_p1y9mkxPmEDSXP9LUE4QnH8-A7nQKzpvmG1xEaYwkh5NU0kbUkB1El11ub3SafLsafnkPMmuqvqXVLJp2Wwl2NB9VrCbKz39zdQSHbgAAXEnmkBYHdz?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"655\" height=\"446\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.customerthermometer.com\/consumers-connecting-with-companies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Our decisions orbit our emotions. So if you want the whole town talking about your product or service, you gotta make them <em>feel<\/em> a certain type of way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Here\u2019s how YNAB \u2013 a personal budgeting program \u2013 influenced my emotions:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfVrHBnHEX03trOl0Qsxnb5A9yavdZ2XHTqN6dPTKdHiQGC6_I_51VYdviiu7FaEvLFsSt6LpNk5J_adC9RG6g33lTCEDNLOw-gll_xsuD-4Tqcn5AKdhVv_3LguSwt1RALVfRuW5oPbJA-6wwxtfeXIOH_?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"395\" height=\"781\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><strong>They met me where I was at: <\/strong>They empowered the icky anxiety finances usually bring (maybe I <em>can <\/em>rise above it?) It pushed me to believe that I could reach my goals with their help.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><strong>An entertaining customer delight moment: <\/strong>They had a Disney princess reference (I repeat, a Disney princess reference! I actually laughed out loud!) It lightened the mood <em>just<\/em> when I needed it the most.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li><strong>My problem was also <\/strong><strong><em>their<\/em><\/strong><strong> problem:<\/strong> The \u201cimagine\u201d scenarios felt so niche, like they were (once again!) in my mind talking directly to me and only me (<em>how did they know?<\/em>) It made me feel at ease and cared for.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Even automated emails can feel human. And now I\u2019m sharing YNAB with you, so they must\u2019ve done <em>something<\/em> right.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Authenticity builds trust \u2013 who knew?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It might sound counterintuitive, but customers actually like hearing about your mistakes. So fail more often! (joking \u2013 unless?)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There\u2019s even a psychological phenomenon called Similarity-Attraction theory that suggest this very thing: people are drawn to people who they perceive are similar to them. And what makes us all so similar? Fear.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdQFleIIxZ_4-5JLRVVr-WsGjKzb2LgykSokWQTr_koIf6uUs6O-tAE8awu67vMEqszYPFe7rtwU1OHcbZt2g1YzRfxkQDw0gCMYSH5LXuPEOCodaqwdJPCRpiJs_LLv5k4nt1jufELSEwgEKRRUy1-7ews?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"646\" height=\"597\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Consumers want to support brands they see themselves in (<em>\u201cwow this person feels just as inadequate as me!\u201d)<\/em>. It\u2019s why TikTok influencers are so popular \u2013 they\u2019re regular schmegular people like you and me sharing their vulnerable, real journeys with audiences. And the internet goes wild because it\u2019s relatable. You find a friend \u2013 a hero to root for who reinforces your beliefs. (Minus the scam artists, of course.)\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When you offer something valuable, like helpful content, exceptional service, or meaningful connection, consumers feel a natural inclination to give something in return. Psychologically, this is called the Reciprocity Principle (sharing is caring).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The more you flood customers with authentic stories that show your character, they\u2019ll keep coming back for more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You might not know it, but you already <em>are<\/em> the very best influencer to your customers. Your influence influences them to become your influencers. (I think I just freestyled a new tongue twister.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">People trust faces more than \u201cfaceless\u201d companies<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But can you really do that if you\u2026don\u2019t know who you\u2019re talking to? We are wired to respond positively to faces, so it makes sense that only 7% of communication is expressed through words, while 93% relies on nonverbal cues. (Maybe it\u2019s time to invest in a selfie stick and ring light?)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Faces gauge emotions, intentions, and nuances that impersonal text or logos simply cannot:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Is the person sincere?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Are they trustworthy?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Will they steal my identity?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>That sort of thing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXevVaWvKDZ1VXYGAvNJkNLuw--uT3as8-PJs02LZGt3M4rp3Z34YIf1bbVfDXLJMQdTtK-b8QXZiOJjDAReCerdWad9Ikx9tcI9NQpUYs7uF78HbNv0F3O8DQpEz1jBWBv8rg419G8aFRYVLDpRIN4-E6oR?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"637\" height=\"637\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So content shared by employees will often outperform content from company or brand pages. Why? Employees give it that personal touch \u2013 a sincerity that resonates more deeply with audiences. They share the good, the bad, and the ugly: relatable experiences, anecdotes, company day-to-day operations etc. This \u201cinsider perspective\u201d gives you a peak of what the brand stands for. It builds trust.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Jonah Sachs, author of Winning the Story Wars, says \u201cYour brand is a story unfolding across all customer touchpoints.\u201d When done right, the shares and sales just rooooll in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXervxOtq1N-KRVNmwN2ueIGCI_kd78LqdwmX2BbfAp9kDoSRvlRrQWH8pYubXnxFjHrc9kB2JGpCXwf8lIT85QXxPU0CFhXiG0CmvpHrYHYRxPKX-sGbGsKOH33hxUw_xwmo_dff3inn8gIVTLzUmNCdRtk?key=3mwhWrJ4vDy6h6J_uscQyQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"439\" height=\"694\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The secret to brand love -&gt; creating a deep personal connection<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So it\u2019s safe to say I\u2019ll be a lifetime Llamalife customer (I\u2019m even using it now as I\u2019m typing!). When a brand treats you like a friend (not a dollar sign), it just hits differently.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I became obsessed because I felt like it knew me. It found me where I was at, it actually did the thing it said it was going to do\u2026and the rest was history.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Every interaction after that \u2013\u00a0 whether it was storytelling email product updates, behind-the-scenes social media posts, or empathetic blog posts \u2013\u00a0 made me just a <em>tad<\/em> bit more obsessed. I was texting everyone I knew because they just had to try it too \u2013 it\u2019s a ripple effect where sharing comes naturally.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And that\u2019s the real secret to <a href=\"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/how-to-create-brand-affinity\/\">brand affinity<\/a>: a great brand is simply great customer connections.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You might not be able to change brand standards or business KPI\u2019s as a whole, but you can do a lot of little things to reach that one person. The sharing potential becomes limitless when you reach that one person <em>well<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Whether it\u2019s:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>adding personality to your copywriting that makes them feel seen<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>taking a fun social media marketing risk that makes them laugh\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>sharing a bit of your health journey in a customer service call that helps them relate\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You\u2019ll build genuine relationships beyond the transactional status quo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Because no one likes to feel like they\u2019re just a number.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When was the last time a brand hooked you in? Here&#8217;s how to use customer connections to foster brand love, and create a brand they can&#8217;t stop talking about.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":16672,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5874],"tags":[5998],"class_list":["post-37494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brand-strategy","tag-_pov"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Josh Ho","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37494"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37765,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37494\/revisions\/37765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/referralrock.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}