There are a lot of brands on social media. Some simply promote their own content, and RT positive news about their company. But, there are others who truly understand the value in social media. One such brand is DSW, and here are three reasons why they rock it:
1) They encourage interaction and participate in two-way conversations with their fans. If you tweet something, they respond. They thank you for compliments and make sure to answer your questions. They ask questions and facilitate conversations. This should be a given for all brands on these channels, but sadly it’s not. Engagement and interaction are not one-way streets. Responding to your fans and followers shows them that what they say matters. The more positive they feel about your brand, the more likely they are to be advocates for you.
2) They appreciate their customers and it shows. DSW has one of the best rewards programs out there. It’s free to join, and you rack up points every time you shop online or in stores. After you accumulate a certain number of points, you receive a $10 certificate in the mail. Plus, there are several times during the year when purchases garner double or triple points, and they send you a $5 certificate for your birthday. What’s more, you don’t even have to carry a card around. Cashiers can easily look up your account by phone number, and their newly redone website makes it super easy to track your purchases and your points. If you don’t want to spend money to get money, you can participate in DSW’s social media giveaways. They do at least one a week on Facebook and Twitter, and occasionally offer additional opportunities to get gift cards, just for interacting with them. A couple of weeks ago, I simply commented on a Facebook post asking what people liked about the new website, and I was sent a $5 gift card in the mail. It’s so nice to know that a brand truly appreciates customer feedback.
3) They’re not just a brand, they’re people who love shoes. It’s evident that the people in charge of DSW’s social media accounts are shoe-lovers, just like their fans. They’re passionate about their jobs, and really want to show the human side of the company. When I received that $5 gift card, there was a little note from a specific person thanking me for my feedback and support. Last year, I was one of the winners for “free shoes Friday,” their weekly Twitter contest. The person I emailed my address to was incredibly friendly, and seemed genuinely happy to be sending me my prize. Those personal touches only further endear me to the company because it’s much easier to relate to a person than a logo.
In case you were wondering, I was in no way compensated for this post. I believe that people and brands should be recognized and applauded when they’re doing something right. Other brands should follow DSW’s example, and if you love shoes, make sure to follow and like them!
Which other brands are rocking social media engagement?
