Tips for Transitioning Customer Acquisition Into Customer Retention

Here's a couple of examples: "Remember, we're offering free shipping this week, but it ends Friday night!" or "We're giving our subscribers 15% off this week — use the discount code SB1007."

You'll see open rates for re-engagement campaigns of over 50 percent and revenue rates as much as 12 times the revenue generated from standard email campaigns. Website re-engagement is a home run when it comes to converting prospects to buyers and buyers to frequent buyers — and it completely transforms the way companies capitalize on daily web traffic.

Your viral acquisition programs should include social networks. Creating your own social media as a customer-centric community that lives within your own branding is essential to being able to be part of the conversations people are having about your product or service. This is where frequent buyers are converted to enthusiasts.

What are enthusiasts? They're frequent buyers who like your product or service so much that they become in essence salespeople for your company. They're customers who tell their friends and family all about your company and its great products and services, and encourage them to buy from you. Enthusiasts lower your acquisition costs and increase your revenue.

A good social media tool enables you to build a branded social community where your prospects and customers form their own personal discussion groups. They share content, files and photos, and unlike most social networks, your customers always stay within a branded community center that acts as a portal to your website. This community is a place where your company can post interactive topics to generate valuable ongoing feedback from customers and prospects.

As community members invite friends and family to join, your subscriber base grows virally at almost no cost. The enthusiasm is contagious as personal discussion groups and community memberships grow exponentially.