As a creative studio that specializes in creating engaging content, we know firsthand how powerful customer stories can be in marketing. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, incorporating customer stories into your marketing strategy can be a game-changer for your brand. Here’s why…
Customer stories build trust
It’s no secret that building trust with customers can be a challenge, especially with so much competition and noise out there, but they’re a powerful tool in establishing trust with your audience. By sharing stories of real people who have had positive experiences with your brand, you can amplify your brand’s value, and build trust with potential customers. In fact, a survey by Salesforce found that 54% of consumers consider customer stories to be an important factor when making a purchase decision.
Customer stories create emotional connections
As humans, we’re wired to respond to stories that touch us on an emotional level. By sharing customer stories that demonstrate how your brand has made a positive impact on someone’s life, you can tap into this emotional resonance that drives customer behavior. In fact, a study by the Corporate Executive Board found that emotional connections are four times more powerful than rational connections when it comes to driving customer behavior.
Similarly…
Customer stories are more memorable than statistics
Let’s face it: most people don’t remember statistics and data points. But stories? Those stick with us. It’s rooted in empathy for people we “meet” – even if we just meet them through a screen. By telling customer stories, you can make your brand’s messaging more memorable and stand out in a crowded marketplace – leveraging compelling narratives to cut through the noise and leave an impression on your target customers. For example, Erin (on our team) doesn’t care a ton about baseball teams – but she likes the game, mostly because it’s a fun way to spend a few hours outside on a nice day, with snacks. When the LA Dodgers recently shared the story of former player Andrew Toles’ battle with mental health, and their decision to renew his contract for $0 so Toles could keep his health coverage, Erin bought herself a Dodgers hat.
You don’t need to be a do-gooder or have a heartbreaking story, though. Just telling a real, authentic, human story about your brand is compelling enough.
Customer stories showcase your brand’s values
Every brand has a set of values they stand for, whether it’s global sustainability, social responsibility, maximizing profits, or world-class customer service. By featuring customer stories that align with your brand’s values, you can “show-don’t-tell” your brand’s commitment to these ideals and differentiate yourself from competitors. For example, if your brand is committed to sustainability, you could feature a customer story about someone who chose your product because it’s environmentally friendly. Or, if you care about customer satisfaction above all else, you can highlight customers who had an absolute breeze overcoming the rare-but-still-frustrating issue they had in the purchase process of your product. Bam, empathy and values alignment all in one.
Customer stories drive customer loyalty
When customers feel like THEY are the priority, that their stories are being heard and valued, and that your company’s values align with theirs, they are more likely to feel loyal, perhaps even evangelizing on behalf of your brand (the holy grail of branding and marketing…) By incorporating customer stories into your marketing strategy, you can develop a sense of community and build long-term relationships with your customers. According to a survey by Ipsos, 72% of consumers say that positive reviews and testimonials make them trust a business more. By featuring customer stories that showcase the positive experiences people have had with your brand, you can build that trust and foster loyalty.
Square Customer Story – Spinning Bones
And last but not least…
Customer stories are high on ROI
Customer stories offer a valuable investment opportunity for businesses looking to create long-lasting marketing assets. While the production process for these stories may require an initial investment of time and resources, they have the potential to become evergreen assets that resonate with audiences for years to come. By focusing on high-level product benefits and brand value propositions, your stories will remain relevant even as products and services change over time. Additionally, customer stories offer a valuable return on investment by providing a wealth of content that can be repurposed across multiple channels. They can be broken down into shorter clips, used across social channels, and shared across various digital platforms, providing businesses with a variety of ways to connect and reconnect with their audience.
It’s definitely not true, but we kind of feel like we invented the “testimonial” style of storytelling on behalf of our clients. Lather, rinse, revise, repeat. It’s tried and true, tested and effective. Ready to get started telling your brand’s story? Give us a shout!