Personal touches, like sending a follow up thank you note or a small gift via snail mail after a purchase, go a long way toward customer loyalty.
Whether you’re at the head of a large corporation or a small, but sharp neighborhood operation, try these ideas on for size to increase customer loyalty and put the building blocks for success into place:
Always keep three business opportunities on your desk. This might sound difficult, but it’s not once you get started and keep the opportunity list top of mind.
Nothing matters much until money changes hands. “Nothing happens until we get the check,” is a mantra that can save you from having a lot of leftover inventory.
Follow the 2-2-2 Rule. Every day, do two things that will pay off in two weeks, two things that should pay off in two months, and two things that might yield results in two years. The beauty of this idea is that it sets up a success cycle, even in rough economic times.
Communicate regularly with current customerswithout selling at them. Send thank you notes, holiday cards, newspaper clippings, and emails with links that might help them in their businesses.
Figure outwhich customers will be good for your business and which ones won’t. This is not an easy task, but one that will save you time and money down the road.
Bonus Tip: Find experts who can actually help you with your business. Splurge on the best accountant, insurance person or business advisor you can find. They will help you in ways you would never expect.
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