Effective marketing requires constant contact with your client base. And one of the best ways to do this is to get your existing consumers thinking twice about your brand by using Web-based platforms.

First off, get out your list of customer contacts. You’ve got one of those, right? If not, get on it immediately. Nothing is more important than making a connection with the customers who’ve already been through your doors. Now, decide what you’re going to do with it. The possibilities are endless. Just remember, you’ve got to give your consumers something relevant and appealing to make them pay attention and react. Here are few ideas guaranteed to bring customers through the door again and again:

• Send coupons/promotions via e-mail with “Forward to a Friend” options
• Post photos of company staff or past events on Facebook or use Twitpic via Twitter to remind consumers about your brand’s personality
• Start a blog that your customers would be likely to read and respond to, with weekly or daily giveaways for those who share their responses
• Engage consumers with an online contest through your website or social media sites: Facebook and Twitter are our favorites
• E-mail menus, catalogs, or whitepapers to customers
• Text your customers about an upcoming sale or product release
• Create mobile applications for customers to download to their phones

These are just a few of the ideas to get your existing customers back into your stores and also to reinforce their satisfaction with their purchases. Ads and direct mailers certainly have their place, but building brand loyalty through Web-based platforms is a simple—and cost-effective—way to boost sales fast! Remember, repeated exposure to your existing clients can mean big returns for your brand. So don’t just focus all of your attention on getting new customers. Make some time to nurture the ones you already have.