Here's how you can foster customer relationships through social media.

Are your customers active on social media? Then you should be too. What should you share? Valuable information that makes them seek more from you.

• Respond promptly to customers comments and feedback. This shows customers that their feedback and enquiries are valued. • Start conversation to attract audience by asking questions, running polls, contest and quizzes, and encouraging discussions relevant to industry/brand. • Be consistent and post regularly to keep audience engaged. Share content that educates your customers about the industry trends and attractive at the same time. • Take negative feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve. • Always respond to negative comments to show your customers that you are providing solution also. • Don’t miss to celebrate milestones, achievements and special occasion with your customers to build sense of accomplishment.

Stories are the currency of human connection. They engage emotions, build empathy, and create lasting memories. On social platforms, stories are a powerful tool for fostering authentic, personal relationships with your customers. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your team, your process, and your purpose. Showcase customer successes and transformations. Invite your audience to participate with interactive polls, questions, and user-generated content. Most importantly, listen to your customers' stories. Engage with their posts, celebrate their achievements, and show genuine interest. When you make your customers the hero of your social media storytelling, you build the trust and loyalty that drive long-term business success.

To further foster client relationships through social media: Ensure consistent branding across platforms. Monitor conversations using social listening tools. Surprise clients with gestures of appreciation. Share valuable educational resources to address client needs. Encourage clients to become brand advocates. Host interactive Q&A sessions to engage clients directly. Organize contests or giveaways to incentivize participation. Stay informed about competitor activity and industry trends. Provide regular reports and insights on social media performance. Seek feedback from clients to continuously improve your approach.

An example of Social Media Story. It personally helped me as a conversation starter for a prospect, as I asked about a Photo of 3 Generations together on Facebook, which he shared History of his Father starting business and how his Son left a Fortune 500 company job to take his father's business grow multi fold which he achieved.

A simple act of resharing posts and articles goes a long way in supporting other individuals in your network. Give first, it will come back to you 10-fold. But the key is to be genuine in making and maintaining these relationships.