One of the fastest ways to propel your business to the next level is to nurture and enhance your relationship with your existing customers. Satisfied customers are still the #1 best way of advertising. Studies show that it costs as much as five times more to win a new customer than to keep a current customer. Unfortunately, many business owners fail to promote repeat sales from their satisfied customers, and they fail to realize that without their satisfied customers, they have no business.

Keep in mind, a satisfied customer who is a happy customer typically informs five people about your products and/or services; while an unsatisfied customer will naturally inform ten to fifteen people about your poor service and inferior products. Your unsatisfied customer will begin to shop with your competitors. You not only lose the unsatisfied customer to your competitor, but even worse the unsatisfied customer will probably take ten to fifteen others potential clients with him/her.

Let’s talk about what you can do to keep your prime customers contented and long-term purchasers of your products and/or services. Always contact your prime customers after they have made a purchase to say “thank you” for choosing your business to do business. This should be done within twenty-four to forty-eight hours after their purchase.

This is also a good time to ask the prime customer if he/she is pleased with your products and/or services and to ask him/her what else your company can do to keep him/her as a prime customer. The information acquired from your prime customers can be utilized to develop a customer satisfaction program and will aid you in developing future growth strategies. While you have the prime customer on the phone, don’t forget to mention other products and services that you offer.

When corresponding with your prime customers, it is most important to keep it personal. Voice mail and e-mail are easy ways to communicate, but don’t forget---it’s the personal touch that can make a difference. It is also important to remember those special days of your prime customers (i.e. birthdays and holidays). Remembering your prime customers on special occasions is just another way to let them know how much you value their business. Just one thing--too much contact with your prime customers can become annoying; know when enough is enough.

When you keep in touch with your prime customers, they will not have a problem referring your products and/or services to other people. Prime customers can help you build new relationships by their recommending your products and/or services to their circle of friends or clients. You may even want to ask your prime customers if you can display your literature or brochure in their office or place of business. Prime customers can also help you distribute your information through their database contacts.

Every business should have a written customer relation’s policy. Your policy should be a guarantee to your customers/clients that you are dedicated to achieving customer satisfaction and that you stand behind your products and/or services. Be sure to display your policy in your establishment so that your customers can easily observe it. If your customer relation’s policy is worded correctly, it can become a marketing tool for your business.

Finally, don’t become an entrepreneur who is so engrossed in prospecting that you lose sight of your prime customers. Your prime customers, if nurtured properly, will generate larger sales more cost effectively than those prospects. No matter how you segregate it --- it is more cost effective to keep a prime customer than to prospect for a new customer. Prime customers will propel your business to the next level.

© 2005 Dr. Laureen All rights reserved
www.masterpiecesolutions.biz
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Laureen Wishom is a contagious and ebullient person who has touched the lives of thousands through her powerful seminars and workshops. She is the Founder and CEO of Masterpiece Solutions, LLC “business consulting at its finest”. This Houston and Dallas-based practice specializes in Business Development, Setup and Growth Consulting; Career, Life, and Business Coaching; Business/Life Success Training; and Empowerment/Enrichment Motivational Speaking.

Dr. Laureen is known as an electrifying motivational and inspirational speaker and a pulsating writer, mentor, trainer and strategist in the areas of non-profit development, for-profit business start-up, expansion and development, fund development, re-careering, workplace change, networking, brand identity and self-empowerment.

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