The process of getting quality sales leads can be costly to your business and therefore, is in the best interest of your business that each lead that is converted into a buying customer is then converted into a repeat customer.
Would it surprise you to know that it is 5 to 6 times easier to re-sell your service to a satisfied customer than it would be trying to solicit a new customer? I'm sure that did not surprise you, but why are you still not getting the repeat business you should? In many ways, it is easy to maintain a buying customer but it takes a certain amount of well-planned effort and strategy to keep that customer coming to your service over and over.
Loyal customers are those who know that they always get what you promise and sometimes even more.
A customer who can receive service with a smile, promises that are delivered and products that are exactly what was expected is a customer you can depend on for many purchases.
These techniques are a great way to let the customer to know you actually care about their satisfaction.
Let's take a look at these simple steps to keep your customers coming back repeatedly to your business.
1.
Design a check list of strategies that will convert every buying customer into a friend.
Every business' demographics is going to vary.
Find out how much information you can gather from your customers at the time of the first sale or service.
Then collect as much information about your client as possible without being too intrusive.
Collect information such as email, mailing address, phone number, birthdays, etc.
Learn what works best in your selected area and then create an incentive to keep customers coming back that is molded around what your customers like and appreciate.
2.
Get a software system that will remind you of such annual data such as birthdays and anniversaries.
Also keep personal information, when you can, of when babies are born and their names.
This will allow you to interact every so often so that you remain in the mind of your customer.
3.
Send email updates on specials or announcements for repeat customers.
Make your customer feel special and rewarded when they purchase from you again.
4.
Send a small postcard or flyer to your customers to announce any deals, updates or announcements they can take advantage of when they buy again.
Keep this very simple.
A few text on a postcard is cheap and to the point.
5.
Implement frequent customer cards or programs.
This is great for the food industry but really would work for a multitude of businesses.
If you own a local hardware store, you could offer a percentage off of the 5th or 7th purchase within a certain time frame.
Coupons are great.
It is important for you to know the difference between reminding your customers of their value to you and remaining in the face of your customer as a pain or a nagging presence.
Reminding them you are a valued resource to which they can come back repeatedly will have them coming back because you have made them feel special.
Sending your customer emails and flyers several times each week is bound to annoy them and make them have a poor opinion of your marketing skills.
So, don't overdo it.
It will be a waste of your time and money if you turn off your customers.
You want to keep them around for years to come so keep it slow and steady to win the race.
Top named corporations operate in this way.
This will work whether you are talking about Ferrari or the restaurant that has great lunch specials right in your neighborhood.
Looking at these established businesses customer service strategy, you will see that they aim to treat each customer as a special and valued individual.
True, you cannot serve all the whims and desires of all customers, but you can make each person still feel special.
Even when turning them down for a request that can't be met, you can still make them feel understood and respected.
In some cases, you can even get them to pay more by up-selling and possibly customizing another product for their needs.
Many businesses, especially small and medium sized that use this approach, find these methods easy and inexpensive and well worth the effort due to the fact that they always have the guaranteed repeat business.
Of course it is important that you continue to get new customers to keep a fresh perspective for your business and continued growth.