Top 6 Business Success Strategies

"The principal purpose of business is to create a customer." --Peter Drucker

Creating a loyal and respectful relationship with a potential customer builds the basis for all other areas of business success.

Simply stated, without customers, our businesses would all fail.

A satisfied customer is a customer who provides a continual income stream and refers others.

Business success starts with the customer. The following six strategies outline the best and most effective business success practices.

1. Customer Service. Typically 68% of a business' customers leave or go elsewhere for products and services because they feel they are under appreciated or unimportant.

The perception a customer has of his/her value to a business plays a very large role in whether or not the customer returns.

What can you do to improve on that statistic? Smile, ask questions, be friendly and say "Thank You".

Customer service is a seriously neglected facet of most businesses. As an owner you must set the example for your employees.

No one can do this for you. You can't pay an outside consultant to smile for you. If you aren't sure where to start, then pick up a copy of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.

2. Existing customers. Another neglected area in most businesses is the act of communicating with existing customers. I can't remember the last time a business I frequented sent me a coupon or note or anything for that matter.

Keeping in contact with customers does not have to be an extensive and time-consuming endeavor. A monthly newsletter, a quarterly coupon mailing or a special occasion or holiday is sufficient. The idea here is not to sell them something but to simply remind them that you exist and value their business.

3. Referrals. If you are not offering an incentive to your existing customers to refer new customers to you, you are missing out on a huge profit center.

Referral coupons are one way of enticing customers to refer. If a coupon makes it back to you with a new customer, then the referring customer gets a "spiff". A "spiff" can be a discount coupon, movie tickets, or a free item, anything that shows value.

It is important, however, for the "spiff" to be something of perceived value to the referrer. Cheesy doesn't work. The referrer needs to be excited or grateful for the "spiff".

4. Thank you. Simply but overlooked. The act of thanking people for their business. Sending thank you notes to customers who refer is an important practice.

Most importantly, however is the practice of saying "thank you" when customer leaves even if he doesn't purchase. How you say "thank you" is also important.

Many times I say something to the effect of "thank you for using our services we really appreciate your business". This says so much more than a simple "thank you" does.

Thank customers for information they provide to you, thank them for referrals, thank them for keeping you in business, whatever it is just remember to say "thanks".

5. Testimonials. Overlooked but critical to building credibility with potential customers.

If you are a brick-and-mortar business you should have customer testimonials posted where new customers can easily see them.

If you are an online business they need to be front and center on your web page. Do not hide them behind links, put them right on the home page.

Testimonials will do more for you than any other type of advertising. Sprinkle them throughout your mailers, on postcard mailings, in your office or store, on your web page, in your emails. Everywhere, you can't wear them out.

6. Rewards. Rewarding customers for their loyalty is a great way to drive repeat business and boost your bottom line.

I recently sent out a letter thanking customers for their loyalty, telling them that they had been added to my VIP customer list, and presented them with a thank you coupon.

In the letter I also covered new services and products. I had a 90% response rate. Some customers called just to say "thank you" and chat.

This form of relationship building is a critical success factor.

The reward program can be points like airlines currently use, a cash back program, tiered discounts, anything that motivates the customer to buy more to gain the incentive.

These six strategies are mandatory to building a customer retention program and for motivating new customers to buy.

Implement one a month for the next 6 months and watch your sales go up.

Customers need and want to be appreciated and respected; this should be standard operating procedure for every business owner.

Tired of watching others succeed? Discover how to achieve a more prosperous life.

Yolanda A. Facio is the author of an incredible new ebook that guarantees you a more successful and productive life.

Click Here Now => http://www.newrulesforsuccess.com

More success tips can be found at http://www.strategy-3.com

---

To Be is to Become

To make change effective, you have to BE what you... Read More

How Top Performers Use Built-In Technology To Stay On Top

Do you ever wonder how some people consistently get what... Read More

Affirm Your Intentions - Achieve Your Goals

Affirmations are emotionally driven statements of intention and faith that... Read More

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

I do! I want to be a millionaire! Do you?Judging... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Give Yourself A Gold Star

Give yourself a gold star Remember how rewarding it was... Read More

Become a Good Observer

We must never allow a day to pass without finding... Read More

The 5 Categories You Want To Succeed In

If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More

Can Anyone Become A Successful Business Person?

Can anyone become a successful businessperson? I am asked this... Read More

The Fuel That Drives The Ultimate Lifestyle

In a recent article (What is The Ultimate Lifestyle), I... Read More

Unlocking Human Potential

Before we can unlock human potential, we need to know... Read More

Millionaire Mind - Secret Of The Millionaire Mind Revealed

Hey Future Millionaire,There's so much value in reading about the... Read More

The Power Of Partnerships

Everything we have in life is because of the help... Read More

Do You Fear Your Own Success?

Noted author and self-worth teacher Eric Butterworth* says, "Poverty is... Read More

Have You Planned Your New Years Revolutions?

Revolution:a sudden, radical, or complete change a fundamental change in... Read More

Facts About the Art of Influence

All of us could work on our skills in influencing... Read More

The 101 Habits of Highly Successful People

Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More

Vacation Your Way to Success!

All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy... Read More

Plants, Herbs and Roots For Prosperity

Plants of all kinds (including trees), herbs and roots have... Read More

Empowering Other People

Everything you will ever have and accomplish in life will... Read More

Success Begins and Ends With You

Success is a word that is much used in our... Read More

Back-Planning For Success

Coming up with new dreams and passions can be fun,... Read More

Nitty-Gritty Reasons

(excerpted from the book Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness)Wouldn't... Read More

You, 5.0: How To Master Any Skill Quickly

So you want to expand your horizons by securing a... Read More

The Art of Adapting to Change

One of the main reasons that may hinder us from... Read More

Believing in a Better Lifestyle

How many of you have ever thought about the link... Read More

An Image Makeover that will Change Your Life Forever

Have you ever met people who exude charm and charisma?... Read More

I Don?t Believe in Failures

I prefer to call the challenges, obstacles, side-tracks, and barriers... Read More

There is a Technique that can Change Your Life, says Author

Do you feel like your stuck?No matter what you do,... Read More

3 Steps to Defining Success and Defining Your Future

Q: Are you a success?A: Its all in how you... Read More

NORPS

I thought this was unbelievable, but it's true.On average, security... Read More

Seven Steps for Success

"The secret of success is to make what you are... Read More

I Have Failed Before

Have you failed before and wished the earth could open... Read More

Imagine That

"See, I told you so," she emailed me, "it turned... Read More