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Quick Tips for Getting (and Keeping) More Clients

April 19, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

As in any business, you live and breathe by your clients, right? Getting and keeping more clients are important to your success. Here is a list of five quick tips for getting and keeping more clients.

#1 Ask for referrals. There’s nothing wrong with doing this. In fact, customers are often happy to refer you to others, they just need to be reminded to do so. And, if you can create a referral program where your current clients receive a discount or credit for your services, then all the better.

#2 Be professional. If you’re an excellent person to work with, you’ll keep your clients – even if your rates are a bit higher or your timeline a little bit longer than others. The truth is, we place a high value on our business relationships, at least the clients you want to work with do. And if you can build a strong relationship with your clients, you’ll keep them for the long haul. They’ll also talk about you, and word of mouth is a great, and free, marketing tool.

#3 Communicate on a regular basis. You don’t have to have an opt-in list or an email marketing campaign, but if you regularly connect with your clients, you stay in the front of their mind when they have a need or when someone asks them for a recommendation. Here are two approaches to client communication that you can utilize to fit your business. They are:

- Promotional Email – Send your client list an email once a month, or more often if you like, highlighting a promotion. For example, “10% off any orders of $50 or more for the month of April.” 

- Informational Email – Send your client a note when you’re thinking of them. For example, “I saw this article and thought of you.” This helps build a relationship to them and it’s a great way to stay connected.

#4 Get Social! Participate in social networking, blog and be a guest blogger. Generate awareness about you and your services. One new client can turn into many new clients over the course of a year – just through social networking.

#5 Be helpful. Be willing to help and inform others in your community even when there isn’t any apparent reward. Whether you believe in the law of attraction or not, when you give to others, they give back. This doesn’t mean you give away your services; what it means is that you’re willing to help others by providing insight, information and a listening ear when they need it without expecting anything in return.

If your client is trying to resolve an issue and you can help them with your experience, help them. They’ll appreciate it and you never know when they’ll be able to return the favor.

Much of the art of keeping clients has to do with building relationships, and it’s also intricately linked with getting new clients. Word of mouth from satisfied clients is a wonderful way to fill your schedule with your ideal clients and projects. Connect!

Filed Under: Blog, Business Coaching, Customer Service, Tips for Success

Good Customer Service is More Important than Ever

May 21, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

In an ailing and uncertain economic future, businesses must be even more aware of customer service. Potential customers are limiting their spending and are less likely to spend if the do not feel appreciated.

Customer service had begin a huge decline in recent years. Fat wallets and fat bellies gave businesses a false sense of security. However, with the current financial climate, businesses need to up their customer service…big time!

Buyers are watching their pennies and will not tolerate poor customer service any longer. Companies, both big and small, better wake up if they want to stay out of the ever growing pile of fallen businesses.

Tips to go the Extra Mile in Customer Service

Happy Customer Equals Profitable Business. Never, never, under any circumstance let your customer walk away unhappy. Do everything in your power to earn each customers respect and loyalty. Kindness goes a long way.

Appreciate Your Customers. You need your customers way more than they need you. Make them feel appreciated. Have great sales and give freebies to repeat customers. Be creative and make sure they know that you appreciate their business. After all, they are spending their hard earned money and they deserve respect.

Proper Communication. Make eye contact with customers. Shake their hands. Walk them to the product. For Online companies, return emails immediately, call them, send thank you and/or Christmas cards. Keep in contact with your customers. Do not stalk them, of course. LOL!

Train Your Employees to be Customer Service Savvy. This is important. You can have the best customer service skills and still fall if your employees do not give customers the same level of customer service as you do. Train them. Make it a mandatory part of employment and do not tolerate anything less then the best from your employees. Period.

If we take our customers seriously, listen to them and make them feel like they matter, we will have a better chance of not only making it through this economic nightmare, we will gain a loyal customer base that will hold for a lifetime.

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Filed Under: Customer Service, Featured Tagged With: , ,

Should Your Business Have a Blog

May 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Blogging has become extremely popular in this modern society. We have even advanced to vblogging (video blogs). The questions is: should your business have a blog? The answer to this questions is simple. Yes, I think that all businesses that have a website should have a blog as well.

Why Every Business with a Website Should have a Blog

Update Customers. A blog gives you the opportunity to let your customers know what is going on. You can tell them and visitors to your website about new products, upcoming sales and events, and much more. It is a great tool for any business, and in most cases free with cpanel hosting. Or definitely free through Blogger. However, keep in mind that it is best to have it on your own domain. Or, at the very least a redirect.

Build Traffic. Many people who obtain a website for their business think traffic is just going to come. Unfortunately, that is not true. Traffic is a fickle thing and requires patience, time, and the addition of good quality content on a regular basis. What better way to add content then with a blog? You can use it as a venue to write about your niche, product, targeted audience, etc.

Get Search Engine Attention. For some reason, blogs get crawled more and traffic just flows better to them. I know this first hand. I have actually transferred all of my websites from a CSS format to WordPress (self hosted). Since I did this, all of my sites are doing much better traffic wise. WordPress is a blogging platform that allows you to have all the benefits of a blog and and a website all in one.

Build Contacts. The blogging world is a huge and loyal community. If you run a good blog and update regularly, you will begin to have regular readers and people to exchange links with and who will tell others about your site/product. Free advertising.

Reviews. Trade reviews with other bloggers and business owners. You scratch their back and they will scratch yours. Keep it in your niche, but not a direct competitor. Make sure you will be benefiting each other not competing.

As you can see, a blog is a great way for a business to promote itself, stay up to date, get noticed, share with customers, grow more business, gain quality niche traffic and create a steady flow of readerships. You will be doing yourself and your business a favor with a blog.

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Filed Under: Blog, Blogging, Customer Service Tagged With: , , ,

The Power of a Sale

May 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

In this uncertain economy, a good sale may be just what your business needs to increase profits. Having a sale will attract more customers and make you a viable option for those potential customers that may be on a tight budget.

Tips for Making a Sale Productive:

Promote: Never assume that people will just find your sale. Send out fliers, postcards and use word of mouth. If the Internet is used in your business, take advantage of social networking, viral marketing, email campaigns, advertising, etc. The point is tell the world you are having a sale!

Make it a Good One: If you are going to take the time to promote and have a sale. Make it worth your time and your potential customers. Go all out. Buy one get one free. Half off. Freebies with purchase. Free stuff attracts everyone! LOL! Make it big.

Be Creative: A good theme for your sale can work wonders. Use events going on around you to help you. Some examples are; Tax Cut sales, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter sales. You can also have holiday and anniversary sales. Think about your product and how you can use life and events to work with your sales.

Know your Customers: In order to have a productive sale, you need to know your customers. What do they like? What do they need? If you have a mailing list, ask them for feedback. Find out what your customers want in a sale!

Time: The sale cannot go on forever. So, make sure your potential customers know that this is a “limited time” event and they should jump on it while they can!

A good sale can be just what your business needs to get back into the game. Be creative, set yourself apart and cater to your customers. If you do, I am certain you should have success!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Filed Under: Blog, Business Coaching, Customer Service, Featured, Tips for Success Tagged With: , ,

The Customer is Always Right

April 3, 2009 By admin

By: Anita DeFrank & Kara Kelso

One of the most basic rules of business, but often times forgotten. No matter what goes on we must remember – the customer is always right!

This tried and true statement stretches back to the beginning of the small business revolution. When customer service was the most important aspect of business, which set them apart from the big corporations.

Offering the best customer service possible is just as important today as it was more than 100 years ago. In today’s world there are just too many options. If you don’t treat your customers right, they will have no problem doing business with someone else.

Not only does poor customer service lose a customer, but negativity travels far. Most know a happy customer might tell a few people (if any) about your business, but an unhappy person will tell everyone they know. As a small business owner, can you afford to lose hundreds of customers due to one unhappy customer?

In the work at home mom community, when business is done with other business owners, it can get tricky. We are suppose to understand the hardships of running a small business, as well as show compassion to family emergencies. However, business is business and customers are customers. No matter what the social status of your customer, they are still just that – a customer.

The lesson here is to always treat everyone like a customer. No matter how mad you are about what they’ve said, keep your cool and make it right. Don’t argue with them, because they WILL spread the word on how hard you are to work with. If you lose money because of the situation, live and learn. There are situations where the customer will be in the wrong and just trying to scam you, but don’t ever assume they are. Learn from the mistake and put your own rules in place so it won’t happen again.

It’s inevitable, if you’re in business, at some point, you’re going to have to deal with a disgruntled customer. The protocol should be to apologize and get the issue resolved as quickly and painless for the customer as possible (within reason of course).

The bottom line which I feel needs to be said just one more time – the customer is always right! Remember it, and you will go far in business!

Article Source: http://www.homebusinessresourcedirectory.com

Authors Bio: Anita DeFrank & Kara Kelso, authors of Direct Sales Success, specialize in coaching direct sales representatives to reach their goal of becoming successful in their field. Visit http://www.directsaleshelpers.com for free weekly tips

Note: You may use this article for reprint ONLY if you DO NOT change the article in ANY way, AND you keep the source and bio IN TACT with ALL links ACTIVE!

Filed Under: Customer Service Tagged With:

10 Tips to Providing Exceptional Customer Service

April 3, 2009 By admin

By: Cathie Garnier

In years gone by customer service used to be just common courtesy if you owned a business. If your friends and neighbors patronized your business you were only to happy to meet their expectations and treat them fairly and ethically. But customer service has recently become optional, almost a lost art, in the world of business. My dad was in retail his whole life and I remember hearing him say constantly “the customer is always right.” Whatever happened to that idea?

If you want to grow your business providing the best customer service possible is vital. In any business customer service issues will arise, there is no way around that. But how you handle those issues can make or break your business. The following 10 tips will get you headed in the right direction.

10 Customer Service Tips

1. Return phone calls promptly. You spend time and money on marketing to drive customers to your business so don’t drop the ball when they arrive at your doorstop! Be sure to return all phone calls promptly, preferably within 24 hours. Don’t leave people hanging for days on end! Since you are probably not the only person in the world that provides your particular service or product, and since no sense of loyalty has been established, potential new customers will seek out someone else in the same line of business and call them. If this happens you most likely will have lost them as a customer forever. If this is an existing customer, you run the risk of losing future business by not getting back to them in a timely manner. Whether it be a phone call from a potential new customer or a current customer, make sure to get back to them promptly!

2. Follow up. This goes hand in hand with returning phone calls in a timely manner. If you promise to follow up and get back to a customer, make sure you do so! If a customer calls inquiring about a specific product or service their interest is at its peak when they make the call. If you wait too long to get back to them you may find that their interest is not quite as high and you may lose a customer. The same is true if a customer has a customer service issue. When that customer calls regarding that customer service issue they are expecting resolution. If you do not follow up quickly with them they may become irritated or frustrated making it more difficult to resolve the issue. By following up quickly the customer will feel valued and be much more agreeable in resolving the problem.

3. Always go the extra mile. Always strive to wow the customer when resolving a customer service issue! Whether it is giving them free or discounted shipping, a discount off their next purchase, or a free gift, customers always remember those businesses that make them feel valued. So make sure to exceed your customer’s expectations. This will create a sense of loyalty and appreciation in your customers who will return again and again to your business and bring their family and friends as well. Whatever the cost of the small gift you offer it is it is a good investment that will come back to you ten fold.

4. Be ready to do whatever it takes. If there is a customer service issue, ask what you can do to make it right so that you can retain them as a valued customer. Ask them what their expectations are in handling this issue and then meet, or exceed, those expectations. Always follow up customer service issues with either a phone call, a letter, or email thanking the customer for allowing you the opportunity to live up to their expectations or make things right for them. In a world where customer service has become rigid and policy laden, being able to do what it takes (within reason of course) to make things right is a breath of fresh air!

5. Never argue with a customer. Arguing or getting into a conflict with a customer is never productive. So just do not do it! If a customer is particularly pushy or confrontational do what you can to diffuse the situation without creating more conflict. If this is not possible then you will most likely lose this customer anyways. Losing them without stooping to the level of arguing or name calling will at least let you walk away with some dignity. Sometimes knowing when to walk away is an important tool for a business owner.

6. Treat the customer as you would like to be treated. It sounds so obvious and you have heard it so many times before: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. But it is sound advice. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and look at their problem through their eyes. Try to think of a time when you were a customer confronted with a problem with a product or service and were treated as if your problem was not important. How did you feel? Try to avoid recreating that feeling in your customer.

7. Always be honest with your customers. If you make a mistake own up to it, don’t try to blame it on someone or something else. Likewise, if you don’t know the answer to their question, admit it and let them know you would be happy to find out the answer and follow up with them. Customers appreciate honesty much more than excuses or cover ups. Since we all make mistakes customers can relate to this and are much more likely to be forgiving, making them easier to deal with in resolving the conflict.

8. Let them vent. Often a customer is feeling frustrated about their problem and needs an outlet for that frustration. As unfair as it may seem they may take that frustration out on you without meaning to. Give them the opportunity to vent a bit. (Keep in mind that verbal abuse should never be tolerated in a customer!) Often in their venting you will hear something that might give you a clue to how to make things right for them. Most customers are not terrible people and are much easier to deal with once they have had the opportunity to be heard. Customers may even apologize for taking it out on you. If the customer feels that they have really been heard and that you are sensitive to their needs, it makes them feel valued. Never tell a customer their problem is not important or to calm down! This will only add fuel to the fire and escalate matters! Rudeness and a lack of sensitivity are never a part of good customer service.

9. Never make your problems your customer’s problems. You may have had a bad week and are feeling the stress but do not make your problems your customer’s problems. Your customer does not care if you car broke down, your Great Aunt Sally is in the hospital, or your dog is sick. Why should they? Don’t make the mistake of sharing your problems with your customers. Keep it professional.

10. Make exceptions when needed. Be willing to think outside the box when it comes to any particular customer service issue. Having standard business policies is great but not every situation is covered under standard policy. Be willing to make exceptions to live up to your customer’s expectations.

It is said that every person, whether they realize it or not, has a circle of influence of about 100 people. That is 100 people that could hear about your business from a single customer. Take steps to ensure that what they hear about you is positive rather than negative and your business will flourish!

Article Source: http://www.homebusinessresourcedirectory.com

About the Author: Cathie Garnier is an independent representative for the One Group, creators of the Miessence line, the world’s first extensive range of certified organic skin and body care product. Certified to international food grade standards, all products are 100% free of harmful synthetic chemicals. Her website is located at http://www.mihealthyoptions.com Ms. Garnier has written several articles on health and wellness and is branching out into writing business articles.

NOTE: You may use this article for reprint ONLY if you DO NOT change the article in ANY way, AND you keep the source and bio IN TACT with ALL links ACTIVE!

Filed Under: Customer Service Tagged With: ,

Second Impressions

April 3, 2009 By admin

By: Audrey Okaneko

You know the old saying “first impressions can last a life time”. Well, I believe that second impressions can be more important than first impressions.

I would like to share a couple of stories with you. Several years ago, I found myself looking for a new business opportunity. I knew many people involved with many different opportunities. I began doing some research and found two opportunities that I really liked. The first opportunity, I called the woman, and left a message with her daughter. I called again a few days later and left a message on her answering machine. I never heard back from her.

The second opportunity that appealed to me, I sent the girl an email. She phoned me 2 weeks later saying her computer had been broken. This did not sit well with me, but ok, things happen, so I called her back within 2 hours of her leaving the phone message. The next time I heard from her was about 3 weeks later with an email apologizing profusely for not contacting me sooner.

As you can see in the above 2 scenarios, while I was initially impressed with the people and the companies they represented, my second impression was so bad that I chose not to do business with either of them.

Follow up is so important that I believe more time should be spent on the follow up than the initial contact. Follow up is where the trust between you and the interested party begins. If you tell someone you will call Tuesday, then call Tuesday, even if you have to call from a pay phone, or cell phone. Let your contact know that they are important enough for you to follow through with your word.  Show them that you will stand by your word no matter what.

If you tell a customer you will be there on Monday between 10am and 12 noon, then do whatever it takes to be there on time. No one likes being left waiting.

This second impression is going to set the stage for the relationship between you and your contact. Following up and following through will show your contact that you are dependable, and reliable, two very important qualities in our very competitive society.

When you are happy with someone’s service and dependability, you are much more apt to refer your circle of influence to them.

Another part of second impressions is making yourself available.

I would like to share with you a portion of an email I received from someone I was looking into doing business with:

“I basically am unavailable on thursday, friday, saturday and sunday from 2:30 till midnite. Early in the day is fine. Also, Mondays I am unavailable from noon till about 6:00. Early in the day is fine. Tuesday is not good for me. Wednesday I am flexible/open all day. Please pick a time that works for you. Let me know, and I will call you.”

The hours she was free to do business were so unappealing to me, I took my business elsewhere. There was a two hour time difference between her and I, thus her asking me to call her prior to 9am my time, or on Wednesday.

If you want people to do business with you, then make yourself available to do business.

Second impressions are more than just follow up and follow through, they are your opportunity to show your contact why doing business with you is a good choice.

The next time you tell someone you will call or come over, don’t make excuses, just do it!!

Article Source: http://www.homebusinessresourcedirectory.com

Authors Bio: Audrey Okaneko has been working at home since 1983. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Note: You may use this article for reprint ONLY if you DO NOT change the article in ANY way, AND you keep the source and bio IN TACT with ALL links ACTIVE!

Filed Under: Customer Service Tagged With: