However, in the world of business, this cliché may not necessarily be true. Sometimes it can be more like 'Out of Site, Out of Mind'.
Your existing clients are your most important business assets. They are already aware of the exceptional products or services that you provide and you have already built a trust with them.
These happy clients will be the first to recommend you and your business to others that may be in need of your services or products. It is essential to build a lasting relationship and keep in touch with these influential people?keep your name fresh in their minds. They have become 'business friends' and what kind of friend would you be if you didn't stay in touch.
There are several ways to build a loyal and lasting relationship with your clients, besides the exceptional customer service and support that you are already providing. You need to set yourself apart from the competition and give customers something that will keep your business in the front of their minds, thus producing repeat and referral business.
Your first step is to ensure that you make your client feel like they are number one. This should be something that you strive for with every client you acquire. Sure, there may be some that will take this to heart and put excessive demands on you when you are really needing to get work done for your other clients, but the majority of them will be just like friends and supporters and you need to show them that you appreciate them. You need them to know that they are not just clients, but that they are a value to you and your business.
A great way to get the ball rolling is to send a letter thanking the client for the chance to provide them with a quotation and let them know that you are here to help, if they need it. Include, with the letter, a copy of your brochure, any specials that you currently have running and, of course your business card.
Once the quotation has been accepted and you both agree on the details of the project, it's time to send a Thank You card. If the new client is a local business owner, send a card with a hand-written note and, of course your business card. If the quote is for an online client, you can send a hand-written note or try going to one of many greeting card sites and sending a personalized electronic card. My personal favorite is http://www.bluemountain.com. This is a nice touch as opposed to just a buttered up email.
After the project has been completed, I like to send a personalized, hand-written note on suitable stationery.
Now? where to go from here? Just because this particular project is finished, it doesn't mean that you should just put their file away and forget about them. On the contrary? you have to stay in touch with them. If they have used your services and are very happy with the outcome, they will probably need you in the future, or know someone who does.
If you happen to have the client's birth date, send them a nice card on their special day. If you don't have that date, there are still other ways to stay in touch. One is to send a card on special holidays, such as Christmas. With these special holiday cards, it is not recommended that you send a business card with it. These type of cards should show that you care and don't have an ulterior motive to your action.
So, what about the rest of the year? They say that you need to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of some opportunities. But if you aren't in the right place, the forefront of you client's mind when they may need your services, you may lose out. You need to keep in touch with them throughout the year. You need to send them something that they will hang onto.
The most cost effective way to do this is to send them a newsletter. If you have a business that is online and you have cyberspace clients, start an online ezine and send it out on a regular basis. Fill it full of great links and articles to help your clients. And, it doesn't hurt to mention their business in an issue. For local clients, put together a print version of your newsletter and keep them informed about what is happening with your company and your other clients. Again, putting a free mention about their business will be something that they will really appreciate.
Staying in touch with you clients and contacts is vital for repeat and referral business. When the time comes that they, or someone they know, are in need of your product or service, make sure that they remember you, your business and how you can help them.
About The Author
Janice Byer is a certified Master Virtual Assistant and owner of Docu-Type Administrative & Web Design Services (http://www.docutype.net). See this and other articles on her website.
Traditional marketing strategies encourage business owners to continually grow their... Read More
How often has your schedule been thrown out of whack... Read More
If you want to learn how to get your clients... Read More
Some businesses have slow paying customers or past due balances... Read More
What is one of the greatest ways to add value... Read More
7:00 a.m., the silence in the house is broken by... Read More
"Every company's greatest assets are its customers, because without customers... Read More
Are your company's call center services all that they could... Read More
Are wholesale buyers and retail customers really different? Frankly, there... Read More
Unless you are brand new to business, or have been... Read More
It's The Little Things That Make or Break a Small... Read More
The best way to explain this concept is to tell... Read More
Are you concerned about customer loyalty? Are your customers so... Read More
Every time my firm conducts communication skills training, we know... Read More
Improving customer service starts at the top - with us... Read More
One of the basics of acting taught to me in... Read More
It's bound to happen sooner or later ? yes, even... Read More
Having been in business a number of years, I'm amazed... Read More
Customer Service is a blessing and a curse; a blessing... Read More
We, as small business people, naturally dislike complaints from our... Read More
Recognize metaphors from every angle and round up more insight... Read More
Outsourcing seems to be the new-new thing and approximately 50%... Read More
Resistance has to do with putting up blocks that prevent... Read More
"Right, People. Let's blast out that mail campaign we've been... Read More
Traditional marketing strategies encourage business owners to continually grow their... Read More
It is important to remember that the customer doesn't necessarily... Read More
The salesman's job is to be well informed; extremely well... Read More
Businesses that fail, often forget to seek out the customer... Read More
These moments come when a customer or client?1. Hears someone... Read More
If you were a customer on the telephone with a... Read More
What I am about to tell you may seem very... Read More
You probably realise how the wrong tone of voice and... Read More
Do you remember the last time you went into a... Read More
In a strange juxtapositioning of articles, this month's UK '... Read More
Different people call their Customers by different names. If they... Read More
1. It's all about the customer. Some companies focus too... Read More
It may come as a surprise to you to discover... Read More
Sure, all clients are different. They have different kinds of... Read More
In a mobile detail or mobile car wash business you... Read More
With the growing number of people in every business sector,... Read More
Nobody likes to get complaints. They make you question your... Read More
1. Tis the SeasonRecognize that everyone is frazzled during the... Read More
The following are common mistakes that Sales Managers and Owners... Read More
There are two kinds of customer service we all experience... Read More
Have you ever walked into a store and things looked... Read More
Is your restaurant, bar or hotel clean? I mean really... Read More
The purpose of business is to create and retain a... Read More
We all know the old adage, "The Customer is Always... Read More
First let us specifically define customer service. It is the... Read More
One of the mantras we hear repeatedly in business is... Read More
Who was it that said - "The customer is always... Read More
It is important to remember that the customer doesn't necessarily... Read More
Every time my firm conducts communication skills training, we know... Read More
You probably think I am going to say something like,... Read More
Customer satisfaction is valuable, but customer loyalty is priceless. In... Read More
- Excerpt from Richard Saporito's latest e-book "How to Improve... Read More
It's bound to happen sooner or later ? yes, even... Read More
Good service is easy to spot and hard-to-find. Mediocre service... Read More
Running a successful business takes a lot of energy and... Read More
Wherever you turn these days you'll find articles covering every... Read More
Go into many businesses today and try and get service,... Read More
Many years ago, I was a first year apprentice assigned... Read More
Bad customer service is everywhere these days - unmanned front... Read More
Loyal customers are the foundation of almost every business. Going... Read More
The defintion of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) that I favor... Read More
When people ask, "What is CRM?" the literal answer is,... Read More
Customer Service |