We know that customers are fickle. They can be won over today only to have their attention diverted tomorrow. It is your job as a business owner to make sure that your customer relationships last for the long haul, and this blog post will help you do just that! We’ll discuss 7 steps on how to establish long term customer relationships and boost sales for life!
Tip #1: Be Kind And Listen
Customer Service is the name of the game. The easiest way to know what your customers want, is to simply listen to them! Ask them questions about their experience with your company and offer feedback. Brands are viewed more favorably by 77% of consumers if they proactively invite and accept customer feedback.
A smile and a kind word of encouragement can go a long way in establishing customer relationships that will last for years to come! It is no coincidence that companies that pride themselves on a uniquely friendly and personable experience for their customers are seeing continuous growth.
Tip #2: Be On Time, Everytime
No one likes to wait on hold for an eternity or have the time of day wasted. It is important that your customer service representatives are professional and courteous in their demeanor when speaking with customers over phone lines and via email correspondence! The last thing you want is an angry customer who has been waiting for hours to be left on hold because a new customer came in.
Get in the habit of confirming the start time of meetings, calculating travel time and adding it to your calendar, and making a point to leave your home or office in a timely manner.
Tip #3: Make It Personal
Customers are more than just numbers on paper or data entry; they’re human beings who deserve products and services that fit their specific needs. No one likes a business that is completely pretend. It’s important to show your customers that you care about them as human beings and not just dollar signs in their eyes. Use personal contact information, smile when they walk in, ask how things are going with life outside.
Personalizing every interaction with customers is an excellent way to get them excited about your company! You can also do this by having their name printed on the receipts, or sending a handwritten card thanking them for their order.
Tip #4: Be Honest and Clear About Your Strategy
It’s never a good idea to hide anything from your customers, especially when it comes to the future of their business with you! If there are any changes coming down the pipeline that might affect them negatively in any capacity, tell them about it as soon as possible.
Tip #5: Focus on Quality
It’s no secret, but quality always sells! If you are a small company with just one or two employees and little money to spend for advertising, focus all your energy on the product. Put in 100% of yourself into each project so that customers will notice the craftsmanship right away. You may find yourself wanting to shout from the rooftops about how great you are, but before long they will see for themselves.
You can improve your customer retention, build brand trust and boost your ROI by focusing on your product quality.
Tip #6: Be Accessible and Responsive
Customers want a speedy response, not days of silence. With the advent of social media and mobile devices, customers are able to contact you immediately with questions or concerns. Make sure that there is always someone available who can answer their questions or concerns.
Tip #7: Stay in Touch
This one seems obvious, but it is surprising just how many companies neglect this important step of customer service. Regularly post to social media and send correspondence or newsletters which highlight product and services your customer would want. This circles back to listening to your customers and what products or services they are interested in. What better way to keep them coming back for more, then updating your website blog, sending newsletter or email highlighting your newest offerings!