Zero cost consultations allow consumers to pick the brains of experts from the brand before making a purchase.
(See examples at the bottom of this email)
Whether it’s a quick phone call, video chat, or email exchange, these personalized consultations provide value upfront while showcasing the brand’s expertise.
For example, an interior design e-commerce site could offer 15-minute virtual consultations to discuss customers’ style and recommend specific products.
A boutique fitness brand could provide phone consultations to new prospects to understand their wellness goals and suggest personalized equipment packages.
Why consumers care?
For consumers, free consultations reduce risk, build trust, and help inform buying decisions. Getting personalized advice gives customers confidence they are purchasing the right products for their needs.
For DTC ecommerce brands, consultations capture qualified leads directly interested in their offerings while fostering meaningful relationships.
They allow brands to demonstrate thought leadership and steer customers toward tailored solutions that delight.
What’s the cost?
Consultations do require more upfront investment than simpler lead magnets like ebooks.
Brands need to dedicate staff time to conduct sessions and train employees on effective consultative selling techniques.
However, the high-quality leads generated typically convert at much higher rates and have higher customer lifetime value.
In essence, consultations enable brands to “pre-sell” prospects in a low-pressure environment prior to checkout.
Why it matters?
In an increasingly impersonal digital commerce landscape, free consultations can be a differentiating lead magnet for DTC brands to humanize their image and turn interested visitors into loyal brand advocates.
By combining expert advice with personalized customer service, consultations check all the boxes for lead generation and conversion.
Who else has done it?
Here are some direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand examples that effectively use free consultations as lead magnets that you could highlight in your training:
- Peloton for Business – The exercise bike company offers 30-minute video chat consultations with potential buyers to discuss fitness goals and make personalized product recommendations.
- Purple – The mattress brand provides phone consultations with their sleep experts to analyze customers’ sleep habits and match them to the right mattress.
- InsideTracker – This personalized nutrition service offers a free consultation with a health advisor to make diet and supplement recommendations based on biomarker testing.
- Everlane – The eco-friendly clothing retailer offers quick video chat styling sessions to get personalized outfit and sizing recommendations.
- Snow – The teeth whitening company has customers submit photos of their teeth for a free consultation and custom whitening treatment plan.
- Havenly – This online interior design service provides a free 30-minute video or phone consultation with a designer to discuss style preferences before matching with a designer.
- Framebridge – The custom framing site offers a free online design consultation to provide framing recommendations tailored to the artwork and decor.
- Lively – This women’s lingerie brand offers free video chat bra fitting consultations to help find the right size and style of bras for each customer.
On to you, now!
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