Building Brand Advocacy: Unleashing the Power of Community!

What is brand advocacy? Brand advocacy is all about building a community of loyal supporters who not only love your products but are eager to spread the word to others.

Think of it as having a squad of cheerleaders for your brand… except instead of pom-poms, they have laptops and social media accounts.

Now, I know what you're thinking – “But why bother with brand advocacy? Can't I just rely on traditional marketing tactics like ads and email campaigns?”

Well, sure, you could stick to the status quo, but it's much more rewarding to have a community that really loves your brand.

Who wouldn't want a group of enthusiastic supporters shouting your praises from the virtual rooftops?

For instance, Lululemon's brand advocacy program led to over $4 billion in revenue in 2021 alone.

So, if you're ready to learn more about brand advocacy and how it can benefit your business, let's dive in!

Creating a Fun and Supportive Online Space

Creating an online space that embodies your brand and attracts like-minded supporters can be a daunting task, but we've got some tips to help make it a fun and successful endeavor.

First Things First, Your Brand Advocate Community Should Feel Like a Natural Extension of Your Brand

This means having a white-label community that matches your brand guidelines, from the color scheme to the fonts used.

The last thing you want is for your community to feel disconnected from your brand, so make sure it's reflective of your business and its culture.

Now, Let’s Talk About the People That Will Make Up Your Community

You want members who are active, engaged, and excited to be a part of your brand.

Did you know that Tesla has grown with zero advertising budget?

They have only used brand advocates and fans of the product to have more sales.

So, building a positive and supportive environment is crucial to the success of your brand advocate community.

So, how do you attract the right people to your community?

Start by promoting it to your existing customers and social media followers.

Consider offering exclusive benefits to those who join, like early access to new products or discounts on purchases.

Be clear about the purpose of the community and what kind of content members can expect to see.

And Speaking of Content, That’s the Final Key to Building a Successful Brand Advocate Community

Your content should be thoughtful and engaging and provide practical help to other members.

Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business, offer tutorials or how-to guides related to your products, and ask for feedback from members on new ideas or products you're considering.

You can even make the community feel exclusive to the advocates.

An obvious example of this is the Adidas Creator’s Club.

Be Real, Stay Committed, and Give Generously

When it comes to building a brand advocate community, there are a few key principles to keep in mind.

And don't worry, we're not going to get all business-y and corporate on you:

First Up, Authenticity

Your brand's values and behavior should communicate trustworthiness and honesty to customers.

You want to be real with your supporters and show them that you're not just in it for the sales.

Building trust takes time, but it's essential for creating a loyal brand advocate community.

Next, Think Long Term

This is all about prioritizing long-term gains and relationships over short-term sales.

Think about the big picture and stay committed to your goals, even if it means sacrificing some short-term gains.

You can even use brand advocacy platforms to build meaningful relationships with your customers… fostering loyalty, trust, and collaboration.

Finally, Give Without Expectation

This principle is all about creating value for all stakeholders and being generous with whatever you have.

It could be your time, content, information, or even physical space.

Give back to your community and show them that you appreciate their support.

Not only is it the right thing to do, but it'll also help you build a stronger, more loyal brand advocate community.

Key Takeaways

Well, there you have it, everything there is to know about building a brand advocate community.

From “What is brand advocacy” to tips and principles to keep in mind

Remember

• you need to be authentic,
• prioritize long-term relationships,
• deliver remarkable customer experiences,
• seek feedback,
• and give generously.

We know that it takes time, effort, and commitment, but it's worth it.

Having a community of loyal supporters can make all the difference in the success of your brand.