Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
However, in the world of business, this clichй 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 конкурсы 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 samsung i900 или nokia e71 just clients, b
ut 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 Samsung GE87HR 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 Aiptek PocketCam 4000 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, SIEMENS SN 65 M 080 EU 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 charter fishing inside new orleans 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 чай из листочков малины to keep in touch with them throughout the year. You need to send Philips BDL3011 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 Sony Ericsson W610i 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 Indesit IDE 1000 EU.2 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.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats - Except Those That Sink!
Clients often ask me how to motivate stodgy как сделать суши ‘old-timers’ to give better service, work more effectively on Sharp LC-37AD5RU teams or contribute to building a stronger learning culture. One company even asked me to help ‘crack нокиа 5800 в оаэ four tough nuts’ out of a staff strength of over five hundred!
My response to these situations is this: stop spending so much time and energy trying to convert the few who are ‘stuck in the mud’ and unwilling to change. Instead, put more focus and attention on staff who do want to learn, are willing to change and will improve their skills.
Over time, the ‘old timers’ will become uncomfortable with all the focused and positive efforts. They will wake up and get with the program, or leave.
Please note: I am not sayi