Keeping Customers

Second, three ways to make sure those customers remain loyal:

1. Communicate Continuously

• I can't say this enough, communicate, communicate, communicate. If you want to become THE resource for your clients in your area, you have to be 'top of mind' for them when that area is mentioned. A great product or service and excellent customer service help, but so do reminders. This doesn't mean bombard them with junk mail and spam, but some formal marketing/communication plan is recommended. Make sure the communication adds value, remind them of an upcoming sale, provide tips or an informative article...something that they'll look at and make a mental note of at least. (see more information on Customer Communication in the resources Box).

2. Ask for and Act on Customer Feedback

• This is one that gets overlooked, or only half done many ti
  Internet Businesses - Your Number One Cause Of Failure Or Success
  Have you ever seen someone without a strong opinion on anything? These people usually go through life getting swayed by other people's opinion and let others push them around. Unfortunately there are too many people who want to start an internet business are indecisive and that's what is killing their chances for success online and off…Let's say that you go to a casino and gamble on the roulette tables. And let's say you put $1000 on red. Once the roulette table starts spinning, what does your mind instantly do? It puts unnecessary stress (possibly excitement) onto your body and you worry and wonder for those few seconds, where the ball will land on.But for those few seconds, does worrying and putting further stress on your body do you any good? I mean, does it actually
  Getting Customers

  First, three great ways to get customers to come to you:

  1. Get Visible

  • Join a Local Business Association
    Many communities and/or neighborhoods have business associations. Investigate to see if your area has one and if it does, join it. Get your face and your small business known in the community and become one of those people and businesses everyone knows—remember people prefer to do business with those they know and trust.
  • Volunteer at and/or Sponsor Community Based Events
    Another way to get your face and small business' name out there is by volunteering and/or sponsoring community based events. Something as small as donating products or services to a local PTA event gets your business in front of hundreds of parents...parents who will know that you support their kids and the community. All communities have opportunities for your small business to give back, and since you reap what you sow, get busy sowing!
  • Donate Your Products or Services
    Get involved with groups where you can donate your products and or services to help others. Whether it be a group of entrepreneurs just starting out, or as a resource for those in the community that are in need. Not only is providing others a step-up a rewarding experience, but it also provides your small business with great PR material

  2. Get the Word Out

  • Write and send out press releases
    Using press releases is an excellent way to establish your small business in its area of expertise and it's free publicity. Press Releases are easy to write, but if you're not comfortable writing them, hiring a professional is also an affordable option. (see the Resources Box for more information on Press Releases).
  • Offer Discounts to Current Customers for Recommending New Customers
    Word-of-mouth advertising is not only free, it's the best kind. When your current customers give live testimonials to their friends and associates, your small business is more likely to reap the reward of new customers. Offering incentives to your customers only makes them want to share the joy of doing business with your small business even more.
  • Write Informational Articles
    Yes, more writing. Why? Because it's an excellent way to get the word out! Writing informational pieces on topics that are related to your business should be relatively easy—if you have a scrapbooking store, write something on scrapbooking; if you're a plumber, writing about plumbing—just make sure to make the piece informative, useful and timely. Again, if you're not comfortable writing the piece yourself, work with a professional, it is more affordable than you might think.
    
    Once you've written your piece, submit it to publication's that would be interested in the topic. Associations are great resources for this and most of them have newsletters that are always in need of useful content. For example, if your own a dog grooming business, sending your article for consideration to a Dog Owners Club or Association for inclusion in their newsletter is a place to start. If you're considering trying to get into a magazine, make sure to check out their article submission guidelines—this avenue will be more difficult, but you can always try – I recommend sticking with association newsletters and submitting to article submission sites online. (see the Resources Box for more information on writing and submitting articles).

  3. Offer Incentives

  • Offer Discounted rates for new customers
    For service based small businesses, offering discounted rates to first time customers is a great way to let them "try you out." Once they've experienced how valuable it is to work with you, they'll be coming back for more—and referring others!
  • Sales and free gifts with purchase
    Sales are another great way to get customers in the door for the first or second or third time; as are free gifts with purchases. New customers can be more comfortable trying out new things at discounted rates and everyone likes a gift. If their experience is positive (and it will be!) and they are communicated with (see "Keeping Customers" below); they will return and become regular customers.

  Keeping Customers

  Second, three ways to make sure those customers remain loyal:

  1. Communicate Continuously

  • I can't say this enough, communicate, communicate, communicate. If you want to become THE resource for your clients in your area, you have to be 'top of mind' for them when that area is mentioned. A great product or service and excellent customer service help, but so do reminders. This doesn't mean bombard them with junk mail and spam, but some formal marketing/communication plan is recommended. Make sure the communication adds value, remind them of an upcoming sale, provide tips or an informative article...something that they'll look at and make a mental note of at least. (see more information on Customer Communication in the resources Box).

  2. Ask for and Act on Customer Feedback

  • This is one that gets overlooked, or only half done many ti
    Technology Tips To Make Life Easier
    I'm feeling good. Actually I'm feeling great.My three weeks of dealing with neurotic computer systems had a happy ending.I'll briefly explain - but first a sidebar.In my last newsletter, When Your Stress Meter Makes You Want To Scream, I recapped my frustration with the technology stuff I was dealing with.Since this letter is dedicated to No-Brainer Selling Tips I shared four tips on how to handle stressful situations. Obviously, selling can be stressful.So what happens - I got dozens of e-mails from you. All but one shared similar experiences, words of encouragement, and some of you even said you changed your plans to buy a new Dell computer.But one angry dude sent an e-mail saying he didn't want to hear about my computer - he wanted selling tip
    rvices
    Get involved with groups where you can donate your products and or services to help others. Whether it be a group of entrepreneurs just starting out, or as a resource for those in the community that are in need. Not only is providing others a step-up a rewarding experience, but it also provides your small business with great PR material

  2. Get the Word Out

  • Write and send out press releases
    Using press releases is an excellent way to establish your small business in its area of expertise and it's free publicity. Press Releases are easy to write, but if you're not comfortable writing them, hiring a professional is also an affordable option. (see the Resources Box for more information on Press Releases).
  • Offer Discounts to Current Customers for Recommending New Customers
    Word-of-mouth advertising is not only free, it's the best kind. When your current customers give live testimonials to their friends and associates, your small business is more likely to reap the reward of new customers. Offering incentives to your customers only makes them want to share the joy of doing business with your small business even more.
  • Write Informational Articles
    Yes, more writing. Why? Because it's an excellent way to get the word out! Writing informational pieces on topics that are related to your business should be relatively easy—if you have a scrapbooking store, write something on scrapbooking; if you're a plumber, writing about plumbing—just make sure to make the piece informative, useful and timely. Again, if you're not comfortable writing the piece yourself, work with a professional, it is more affordable than you might think.
    
    Once you've written your piece, submit it to publication's that would be interested in the topic. Associations are great resources for this and most of them have newsletters that are always in need of useful content. For example, if your own a dog grooming business, sending your article for consideration to a Dog Owners Club or Association for inclusion in their newsletter is a place to start. If you're considering trying to get into a magazine, make sure to check out their article submission guidelines—this avenue will be more difficult, but you can always try – I recommend sticking with association newsletters and submitting to article submission sites online. (see the Resources Box for more information on writing and submitting articles).

  3. Offer Incentives

  • Offer Discounted rates for new customers
    For service based small businesses, offering discounted rates to first time customers is a great way to let them "try you out." Once they've experienced how valuable it is to work with you, they'll be coming back for more—and referring others!
  • Sales and free gifts with purchase
    Sales are another great way to get customers in the door for the first or second or third time; as are free gifts with purchases. New customers can be more comfortable trying out new things at discounted rates and everyone likes a gift. If their experience is positive (and it will be!) and they are communicated with (see "Keeping Customers" below); they will return and become regular customers.

  Keeping Customers

  Second, three ways to make sure those customers remain loyal:

  1. Communicate Continuously

  • I can't say this enough, communicate, communicate, communicate. If you want to become THE resource for your clients in your area, you have to be 'top of mind' for them when that area is mentioned. A great product or service and excellent customer service help, but so do reminders. This doesn't mean bombard them with junk mail and spam, but some formal marketing/communication plan is recommended. Make sure the communication adds value, remind them of an upcoming sale, provide tips or an informative article...something that they'll look at and make a mental note of at least. (see more information on Customer Communication in the resources Box).

  2. Ask for and Act on Customer Feedback

  • This is one that gets overlooked, or only half done many ti
    Mailroom Solutions For The 21st Century
    Does this scenario sound familiar? Your print shop went two days beyond the promised delivery date of your promotional materials. Your freight forwarder did not deliver before the weekend but showed up on the following Monday. Your assistant and the mail room person both called in sick for the next few days. You are now 5 days behind on a crucial 6,000-piece mailing to your distributors. The mailing included an invitation to your company’s special events at the upcoming trade show that is costing your company thousands of dollars. With our manual mail processing system, how will we get it out on time? Could this project have been saved?Whether a small business or a large corporation, the new generation of mailing supplies, mailing equipment and mailing machines, are designed to strea
    new customers. Offering incentives to your customers only makes them want to share the joy of doing business with your small business even more.
  • Write Informational Articles
    Yes, more writing. Why? Because it's an excellent way to get the word out! Writing informational pieces on topics that are related to your business should be relatively easy—if you have a scrapbooking store, write something on scrapbooking; if you're a plumber, writing about plumbing—just make sure to make the piece informative, useful and timely. Again, if you're not comfortable writing the piece yourself, work with a professional, it is more affordable than you might think.
    
    Once you've written your piece, submit it to publication's that would be interested in the topic. Associations are great resources for this and most of them have newsletters that are always in need of useful content. For example, if your own a dog grooming business, sending your article for consideration to a Dog Owners Club or Association for inclusion in their newsletter is a place to start. If you're considering trying to get into a magazine, make sure to check out their article submission guidelines—this avenue will be more difficult, but you can always try – I recommend sticking with association newsletters and submitting to article submission sites online. (see the Resources Box for more information on writing and submitting articles).

  3. Offer Incentives

  • Offer Discounted rates for new customers
    For service based small businesses, offering discounted rates to first time customers is a great way to let them "try you out." Once they've experienced how valuable it is to work with you, they'll be coming back for more—and referring others!
  • Sales and free gifts with purchase
    Sales are another great way to get customers in the door for the first or second or third time; as are free gifts with purchases. New customers can be more comfortable trying out new things at discounted rates and everyone likes a gift. If their experience is positive (and it will be!) and they are communicated with (see "Keeping Customers" below); they will return and become regular customers.

  Keeping Customers

  Second, three ways to make sure those customers remain loyal:

  1. Communicate Continuously

  • I can't say this enough, communicate, communicate, communicate. If you want to become THE resource for your clients in your area, you have to be 'top of mind' for them when that area is mentioned. A great product or service and excellent customer service help, but so do reminders. This doesn't mean bombard them with junk mail and spam, but some formal marketing/communication plan is recommended. Make sure the communication adds value, remind them of an upcoming sale, provide tips or an informative article...something that they'll look at and make a mental note of at least. (see more information on Customer Communication in the resources Box).

  2. Ask for and Act on Customer Feedback

  • This is one that gets overlooked, or only half done many ti
    The Benefits of Specific Advertising
    The great Claude Hopkins (Author of Scientific Advertising) once said, “Platitudes and generalities roll off the human understanding like water from a duck. They leave no impression whatever.” To say, "Best in the world," "Lowest price in existence," etc. are at best simply claiming the expected. But superlatives of that sort are usually damaging. They suggest looseness of expression, a tendency to exaggerate, a careless truth. They lead readers to discount all the statements that you make.--- A Dog & Pony ShowIt’s true that people accept a certain license in ‘sales talk.’ A person may say, "Highest quality" without seeming a liar, although you realise other brands are just as good. We expect a sales person to ‘sell’ and we excuse some enthusiastic exaggeration.
    art. If you're considering trying to get into a magazine, make sure to check out their article submission guidelines—this avenue will be more difficult, but you can always try – I recommend sticking with association newsletters and submitting to article submission sites online. (see the Resources Box for more information on writing and submitting articles).

  3. Offer Incentives

  • Offer Discounted rates for new customers
    For service based small businesses, offering discounted rates to first time customers is a great way to let them "try you out." Once they've experienced how valuable it is to work with you, they'll be coming back for more—and referring others!
  • Sales and free gifts with purchase
    Sales are another great way to get customers in the door for the first or second or third time; as are free gifts with purchases. New customers can be more comfortable trying out new things at discounted rates and everyone likes a gift. If their experience is positive (and it will be!) and they are communicated with (see "Keeping Customers" below); they will return and become regular customers.

  Keeping Customers

  Second, three ways to make sure those customers remain loyal:

  1. Communicate Continuously

  • I can't say this enough, communicate, communicate, communicate. If you want to become THE resource for your clients in your area, you have to be 'top of mind' for them when that area is mentioned. A great product or service and excellent customer service help, but so do reminders. This doesn't mean bombard them with junk mail and spam, but some formal marketing/communication plan is recommended. Make sure the communication adds value, remind them of an upcoming sale, provide tips or an informative article...something that they'll look at and make a mental note of at least. (see more information on Customer Communication in the resources Box).

  2. Ask for and Act on Customer Feedback

  • This is one that gets overlooked, or only half done many ti
    Cheap or Chic? Choosing The Right Promotional Pens
    Promoting your business means more than business cards and phone book advertisements. You need a promotional item or gift that will remind consumers you have something they want. One of the most effective and least expensive products that meet this need are promotional pens. With hundreds to choose from however, you should take some time to choose the perfect promotional pens for your business.How the ink reaches the paper is one of the first options you’ll find when searching for promotional pens. There are three types of ink delivery pens, ballpoint, rollerballs and gel. Secondly, you’ll have to decide whether your potential clients will prefer stick pens (the kind with lids), twist release or clicking. Would you prefer promotional printed pens with additional functions, like a clo
    e communicated with (see "Keeping Customers" below); they will return and become regular customers.

  Keeping Customers

  Second, three ways to make sure those customers remain loyal:

  1. Communicate Continuously

  • I can't say this enough, communicate, communicate, communicate. If you want to become THE resource for your clients in your area, you have to be 'top of mind' for them when that area is mentioned. A great product or service and excellent customer service help, but so do reminders. This doesn't mean bombard them with junk mail and spam, but some formal marketing/communication plan is recommended. Make sure the communication adds value, remind them of an upcoming sale, provide tips or an informative article...something that they'll look at and make a mental note of at least. (see more information on Customer Communication in the resources Box).

  2. Ask for and Act on Customer Feedback

  • This is one that gets overlooked, or only half done many times. Ask your customers what they like and what your small business could do better AND then, ACT on it. I don't mean every piece of feedback is worth acting on, but if you hear the same thing over and over, or if a comment rings true, DO something about it. You're in business because your customers pay for 'stuff', if you can improve the experience of them getting the 'stuff,' it'll only make them want to come back when they need more 'stuff.'

  3. Go Above and Beyond

  • Excellent Customer service is a given on this one, so why not take it a step further. Throw in something unexpected that fits your type of small business. It can be something small, but meaningful, something that the "other guys" don't do—your customers will remember and return.

  Following all or some of these steps will have your small business on the road to more new and returning customers who truly enjoy doing business with. Start your plan for getting 'em and keeping 'em now!