A chatbot is exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a service that you can use and programme to respond to messages within a chat interface. Chatbots can be used in any number of situations and for various purposes, and can live anywhere in the main ‘chat-e-sphere’ (Facebook Messenger, Text Message, Skype etc.).
So they sound fun, but more like a novelty right? Wrong. Chatbots are now starting to come into their own as – and for the first time ever – people are using messenger apps more than they are using social networks. If you want to build an online business in 2018, you’re going to want to base it where the people are – and right now they’re in the messenger apps.
So why should I use a chatbot in the fitness industry – what’s in it for me?
1. Improved social presence on messaging apps
With so many people living by the way of the messenger app – you’d be irrational not to become engaged with the potential opportunity that you’re presented with the introduction of chatbots. Customers, clients or just about anyone else related to your fitness based company or organization can find you or the apps and fire a message your way.
It’s informal. It’s quick. It’s effective. It’s everything that the customer wants when they’re looking for convenience in customer service. No messing around with phone lines or attempting emails, just straight to the point, simple messaging.
2. Improved customer service
Robots don’t have feelings. People do. Bare with me here, there is a point to this…
If a member of your staff is having a poor day, maybe they’ve had a falling out in the morning before leaving for work or maybe you’re a one-person show replying at early hours of the morning. Feelings can often get the better of us. That means – for a lot of us anyway – a shorter fuse and worse customer service.
Chatbots don’t have this issue and everyone will receive a consistent and appropriate message regardless of the time of day, if they’re hangry or if they’ve just stubbed their toe. With a smart robot in charge of your messaging, you’ll not only have more time to do the more important things in your business, but the chances are that the bot will know even the smallest of details, even when they escape your own knowledge.
3. Increased customer engagement
The beauty of automation is that everyone can be replied to instantly, so at any hour of any day your bot can be chatting away, helping fitness enthusiasts around the globe while you’re training, in meetings or asleep at 3 in the morning. Instant is imperative for customer service and with a bot in charge, you can be sure that messages can be replied to within the same minute of sending.
With an increased customer engagement you’ll get a better rep, not only in the metric of social, but from the word of mouth from others and when it comes to fitness and training, word of mouth can be absolutely everything. If you’re a local business, or even expanding across a country, engagement can be the difference between a home run and missing the ball. You should investigate and jump into the world of chatbots.
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