Welcome. I would like to share my thoughts and research on the new marketing approach - Social & Relationship Marketing.

Today, more than ever, customer loyalty is becoming more about relationships then deals. As eCommerce on the internet is expanding rapidly and the barriers to entry have dropped in many industries, the issue of trust is at the forefront of consumers minds. Scamming, Spamming and Shamming is everywhere - we cannot avoid it. People are not who they say they are... do I need to bring up identity theft?

My blog will focus on how to utilize social marketing and build customer loyalty. Social, or Relationship, Marketing is all about building trust in a very interactive way. As a business owner, it is vital to pay attention to your customer base to make sure you are servicing their needs. What better way than to interact and ask your customers what they want, how they want it and when they want it. Both parties want the same thing... their needs addressed. This does not have to be "online" all the time. Retail stores are essential to the shopping experience, relationship building and addressing consumer needs more than ever and, in my opinion, essential to servicing consumers - you cannot buy everything online. Retailers must embrace the online community to retain their share of mind with their consumers.

QUESTION: How can local retailers in smaller communities compete online? I will be interested to see what your thoughts are. Post your ideas or comments on my thoughts and we will learn from each other.