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Small Business Articles from Make-it-Fly®
 Ten
Tips to Keep in Touch—
Cultivate Loyal Clients
with Creative Communication
By Victoria Munro
Printable version
We know that marketing
to existing clients returns at least five times more
bottom-line profit than the same dollar spent on marketing
to acquire new clients. It just makes sense to
take excellent care of current clients. Keep in constant
touch with them and let them know you care. If you don’t,
your competitor will. Below are ten tips—ideas
to help you creatively stay connected with your current
clients and turn them into loyal fans.
| 1. |
Besides
your regular newsletters, send letters and emails.
Share something that will
be of genuine value to them (books, articles,
information and/or appropriate networking opportunities).
Knowing and keeping in mind what they are passionate
about will help you to be effective at this. |
| 2. |
Call
them sometimes with no sales agenda, just
to see how they’re doing. Maybe ask if they
have any needs you could help with. |
| 3. |
Occasionally,
arrange to meet in person. Ask
questions and listen, and always give your
undivided attention. Remember to turn off
your cell phone. Make them feel important and special. |
| 4. |
Make
an effort to understand your clients’ needs
and introduce them to others
who could be of help to them. |
| 5. |
Follow
up promptly on referrals they give you. Thank
them and keep them apprised of your progress. |
| 6. |
Ask
for their help. People like to help others. |
| 7. |
Schedule
a phone call a day or two after every service performed
to make sure that the client was satisfied with
the work. If you sell big-ticket products or services,
call and ask if you can offer any assistance, and
make sure your products and/or services are living
up to the client’s expectations. |
| 8. |
Host
client appreciation events. |
| 9. |
Give
gifts. No need to spend a fortune—be
creative. Use your imagination. |
| 10. |
When
you’re in their area, stop
by their office just to ask how they’re doing
and if there are any ways you can help. |
Be sure to
keep your promises to your clients! Follow through
on what you said you’d do. And always,
always, always be sincere! Be real, authentic
and true to who you are.
There are more ideas on how to turn
your clients into a dynamic sales team that will spread
the word about you and your business in the ebook, There’s
a Goldmine in Your Backyard.
(405 words)
© 2005-2007 Victoria Munro.
Click here
for printable version.
About the Author: Victoria Munro is
co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly®
LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for
small-business owners through creatively designed programs
and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different
businesses. To receive FREE business success articles
with tips to help you with your business, sign up for
their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,”
at: www.Make-it-Fly.com,
and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get
More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics
& Tips.
You’re welcome to “reprint”
this article in your ezine, print publication
or on your website, as long as it remains complete and
unaltered (including the “about the author”
info at the end). Please send a copy of your reprint
to info@make-it-fly.com.
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