Image from Pexels – CC0 LicenseThe benefit of loyal customers can’t be understated. It’s fantastic to have customers who trust your brand and will return to you again and again. It keeps your sales up, and it’s cheaper to maintain existing customers than it is to find new ones.But how can you capitalize on these customers and make sure they’re helping your business grow?With the right approach, you could turn your loyal customers into brand ambassadors. They can spread the word about your brand, using their enthusiasm to get new customers on board. You can use a range of methods to achieve this, rewarding your loyal customers at the same time.People always love free stuff, especially if it’s something fun or useful. Promotional items can make great giveaways, and they’re also excellent for spreading your brand image and message.Give your loyal customers things that they’re likely to use, whether it’s decorative items such as car bumper stickers or something with a practical use like a pen or T-shirt. These items deliver extra value for your customers and ensure your brand name is being spread far and wide. You can give them out at events or include them in orders when you ship them.Engaging with your customers online is key to turning them into brand ambassadors. When they connect with you using social media, they can share your content and help increase your brand visibility and recognition.They could also become part of a community on your website, or perhaps connect with you by leaving reviews. As you craft your online community, you can provide a useful and friendly space for your customers to talk about your products/service and related topics too. They’ll feel more connected to your brand and be more likely to recommend it to others.Set Up a Referral or Ambassador ProgramFormalizing your approach to referrals and brand ambassadors is another way to get your loyal customers to recruit new buyers.A referral program or ambassador program can offer your customers rewards for finding new customers for you. They could earn points that they can later redeem, or they could just get a straightforward cash reward for every new customer they bring on board.You might require a variety of things from them, from simply sharing a sign-up link to providing advice and guidance to new customers.Deliver an Excellent ExperienceYour loyal customers will often share the gospel of your brand far and wide without much prompting from you. But to get them to do that, you have to ensure you’re delivering a consistently excellent experience.Start by offering a great product or service. You’ll then need to ensure you’re providing amazing customer service too. By delivering a memorable experience, you can increase the likelihood that your customers will naturally recommend your brand to others and secure new customers for you.Loyal customers can become brand ambassadors, spreading your brand message, whether purely for the love of your brand or because they receive a reward.