At first, much like any other new public forum, Spencer has to spark conversation and ask a few questions. But what follows is usually a dialogue between users of the system, or newcomers. This allows people the opportunity to meet people behind the service, but also get an idea of what really goes on before taking the plunge and becoming a paying customer.

This is a great example of loading up the top of your sales funnel.
Started by this tweet.

By inviting current and prospective customers to talk together you are building a brand ethos.

The beginnings of these chat rooms are always tough, like any new group, but once the conversations get started the rest is easy. You have to seed the discussion with news, updates, offers, invitations, or even soliciting feedback. Soon the conversations will happen between others in the room and you have achieved your goal.

This approach may not work for all businesses and brands, but if you can get a handful of people to click through to a chatroom once a month – you know you have interested people.

Many companies have two way communication via blogs and comments – but there is something powerful about a real time chat where you actually get to interact with the folks behind a business.

Post from: Eric Friedman
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Talk to your customers – and let them talk to each other