3. Derek owns a small bike shop in his town. Up until now he has only used social media to communicate with customers and hasn’t had much luck. Select two tools that you learned about from the unit that you think Derek could use to communicate with his customers. Your response should also include how Derek could use each tool.

Two tools that Derek could use to communicate with his customers are email marketing and online customer forums.

1. Email Marketing:
Derek can use email marketing to create and maintain a strong relationship with his customers. He can collect email addresses from his customers either in-store or through his social media accounts. With these email addresses, Derek can send personalized newsletters and updates about new products, promotions, and upcoming events. He can also segment his email list based on customer preferences, purchasing history, or geographic location to provide more targeted and relevant information. By using email marketing, Derek can increase customer engagement, drive traffic to his shop, and ultimately increase sales.

2. Online Customer Forums:
Creating an online customer community or forum provides Derek with a platform for customers to connect, share experiences, ask questions, and give feedback. Derek can set up an online forum on his website or through social media platforms. By actively participating in these forums and addressing customer queries and concerns, Derek can demonstrate his expertise and build trust with his customers. He can also use the forum to encourage discussions about biking tips, maintenance advice, and local cycling events. This not only creates a sense of community but also establishes Derek's shop as a go-to resource for all things related to biking.