# 10 Ways A Digital Engagement Strategy Can Improve Your Annual Profits Do you want your customers to come back for more? Then develop digital engagement strategies to target their loyalty, not satisfaction. *“There is a big difference between a loyal customer and a loyal customer. Never settle for satisfied”—***Shep Hyken**. ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Sk7tHWl3le.png) Smart companies understand that true customer loyalty grows from meaningful engagement. It’s the best sales and marketing tool they have. **Steve Jobs** is a prime example. His strategy was to create an ecosystem of continuous engagement and get closer than ever to the customers. So close that he could tell them what they needed well before they realized it themselves. His tactics have made Apple a **$3.47 trillion** company. This power of engagement is what sets big brands apart from the rest. Let’s find out how you can develop a digital engagement strategy to transform your profits. ## Why should you target digital engagement in your marketing? Your digital marketing success depends on how well you engage with your audience. With digital engagement, you get to know what your customers want from you. It fills the gap between your brand and customers. Well-engaged customers are: * More likely to create user-generated content (UGC) for your brand through reviews and referrals. That you can use for your on-page SEO. * AI-generated content can also complement UGC by creating personalized, scalable content that resonates with your audience. * They don’t simply recommend, they bring their friends along too. That increases traffic on your website, improving your SERP rankings. * Engagement increases brand loyalty and leads to higher conversions. You can see how crowded digital landscapes are nowadays. On average, more than **4.7 million businesses** start each year. With this much competition, customer engagement is your biggest weapon to stand out. ## How to improve a digital engagement strategy to get more annual profits? A well-rounded engagement strategy requires thoughtful planning. I have collected some digital engagement strategies that big names in the market follow. Include them in your workflow to improve your annual profits. ### 1. Display value for the customer in your campaigns [Content marketing](https://www.cisin.com/coffee-break/how-to-build-a-content-marketing-roadmap.html) does not mean you just have to create content. It’s more about creating value for the readers. Create something unique for them. Like providing case studies, templates, and best practices to do something. Just like what Slack does with “**Playbook**” on its website. By providing practical advice and tools, slack positions itself as valuable for businesses. When users get value, they tend to engage with the brand. Engagement strengthens brand loyalty and attracts new users. ### 2. Create interactive content to invite participation One-way content is a thing of the past. You need to create experiences for your audiences to remember and share with their fellows. Like polls, quizzes, and live Q&A sessions. They encourage customers to engage directly with your brand. **Airbnb’s** online forum is very popular for this. It has created a strong community through its forum. Users can share travel tips, ask questions, and connect with other travelers. User-generated content on the platform, such as reviews and photos, helps it build trust and credibility. ### 3. Maximize impact with multi-channel presence The audience nowadays is not limited to one platform. So you should be on multiple platforms as well. Research where your audience is, and be present wherever your customers are. Engage with them on every platform, using every type of content possible. Repurpose [content on one platform](https://www.apollotechnical.com/27-ai-productivity-statistics-you-want-to-know/) using AI according to the needs of every other platform. It will save time and effort or consider [hiring a virtual assistant](https://www.wishup.co/hire/virtual-assistant) to handle content adaptation across different channels efficiently. Ever heard of Hootsuite? It is a social media management platform. They are active on every social media platform including Quora and Reddit. That’s how they reach a wider audience and establish themselves as a thought leader in social marketing. Need a concrete playbook? Here’s how to [optimize communication across digital channels](https://contentbase.com/blog/communicate-customers-digital-channels/) to keep messaging consistent and engagement high across social, email, and web. ### 4. Build a community presence to start real conversations Create spaces for your customers to share ideas, ask questions, and connect with you. Because real conversations lead to real engagement, which often brings more brand loyalty even more so when those conversations are sparked through carefully targeted outreach, such as emails of CEOs. When you create a sense of belonging for your followers, they become advocates for your brand. Notion is a popular note-taking and project-management tool. They manage communities on platforms like Reddit and Twitter. Where they actively engage with users, answer questions, provide support, and share tips and tricks. This direct involvement makes users feel heard and valued. ### 5. Provide excellent customer service to every customer Customer service is another opportunity for you to engage with your customers. You will be able to know what they expect from you. And by providing helpful responses, you will build trust. Use AI chatbots to provide 24/7 support, but do not forget the human touch. That is important to handle complex queries. If you’re considering adding live chat, don’t overlook the open-source options available. They’re not only cost-effective but also highly customizable. I recently read a detailed breakdown of the [best open-source live chat software for customer support](https://satisfyhost.com/blog/9-best-open-source-live-chat-software/), and it’s a good resource for anyone exploring this area. **For example**, Zappos is known for its exceptional customer service. It [encourages its employees](https://www.springworks.in/blog/employee-empowerment/) to make decisions that benefit the customer, even if it goes against company policies. This level of customer service creates positive experiences. That turns one-time buyers into lifelong customers. ### 6. Share compelling stories for transparency People connect with stories, not sales pitches. “Marketing is longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell”—Seth Godin. Therefore, let customers see the human side of your brand. Share your journey, the challenges you faced, and the system behind your successes. Tools like the [Iganiny](https://www.solutionhow.com/en-us/education/iganiny-the-best-instagram-story-viewer-anonymous-tool/) make it easier than ever to give your audience a behind-the-scenes look in real time. For instance, Buffer’s transparency reports are a perfect example. They share everything from revenue to the company’s culture. Their openness has created a strong bond with their customers. ### 7. Reward engagement to keep customers coming back When customers see the benefits of interacting with your brand, they are more likely to return. Create a reward system that encourages continuous engagement. This could be through challenges, contests, or special discounts. Dunkin’ Donuts runs a “DD Perks” program for this. They give points to their customers for every purchase, which can be redeemed later for free drinks and food. This strategy encourages customers to buy again and again from them. ### 8. Collaborate with your industry influencers [Look for influencers](https://impulze.ai/) who can showcase your products authentically. I prefer micro- and nano-influencers. Although they have less audience, their audience is more loyal and can be influenced much more easily. They will engage with the influencers, and through them, with your business. But be careful when choosing these influencers. Their values should align with your brand values and their audience should be your target audience. Thinx, an undergarments brand, partners with [micro-influencers](https://www.impulze.ai/free-tools/find-micro-influencers) who influence body positivity. With them, Thinx is trying to normalize conversations that normally sound odd. ### 9. Amplify brand reach with social proof (UGC) Have you ever used user-generated content for SEO optimization? Start using it! It is pure gold for SERP rankings. As search engines love authentic content. Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your brand and products. Showcase them on your website to improve your brand’s Google performance and get more reach. Just like REI Co-op, an outdoor clothing retailer. They always share photos and videos of their customers’ outdoor adventures. That’s how their website comes on the first page of Google whenever you search “outdoor clothing” or like [Cycling Coach AI](https://cyclingcoachai.com/), which features Strava ride widgets from real users directly on their site to build trust and highlight social proof. ### 10. Find out what your customers think about you to improve strategy Do not just sell something and say goodbye to your customers. Keep them in touch for more business in the future. Ask them to review your brand. Conduct surveys and monitor how people brand you on social media platforms. You can also use AI tools to analyze all that in much less time. You’ll be able to see what your customers think about you, so you know what to maintain and what to change in your strategy. If you're working with technical content or development-related material, an [AI code detector](https://codespy.ai/) can help ensure originality and detect any AI-generated code, maintaining quality and trust in your output. Take Figma, a popular design tool, for example. It actively seeks feedback from its users through multiple channels to continuously improve its product. They conduct in-app surveys and on community forums to collect feedback. And they frequently release beta versions of their app to get their users’ opinions on it. Customer feedback is also crucial from a marketing plan perspective. When you’re going to write the final marketing plan, this step will help offer clarity regarding your objectives. Here’s [how to write a marketing plan](https://insights.vaizle.com/how-to-write-a-marketing-plan/). ## Turn engagement into business growth Your presence online is not enough for your brand to grow big. You need to create meaningful connections with your consumers. You will be able to do that by implementing the strategies I have written above. You will get customer loyalty, improve conversions, and stand out in today’s competitive digital market. Keep in mind, that these strategies are not the end. You need to continuously analyze the results and modify them accordingly. Also, play close attention to having accurate [DMARC](https://dmarcreport.com/blog/what-is-dmarc-and-does-it-protect-email-recipients-from-fraud/), SKIM settings in your DNS to make sure your inbox rates remain high. The better you connect with your customers, the bigger your profits will grow. Like how the companies I have mentioned above grew. So, implement these strategies and become one of the big names in the market.