Building a Relationship
It is easy to forget that the interaction between a business and it’s clients is suppose to be a relationship. Your company should be going out of its way to make the client feel special, needed, and cared for. If the customer feels like he/she is nothing more than just another dollar for your business, it will not be long before your clients start going elsewhere.
Three Basic Actions to Build Your Relationship
It is actually pretty simple to show your clients that you and your business value them; you just have to get in the habit of it.
1. Give Outstanding Customer Support
Your Company should be eagerly waiting to help any customer with any problem. It should bring you joy when someone calls, and you should do your best to make the process hassle-free for them.
Not everyone is comfortable talking to people on the phone so make sure that you offer several alternatives like:
- Live Chat
- In Person
2. Be Friendly
This is probably the most important way to build a business-customer relationship. Your company should be like the customer’s big brother. What I mean by this is that your clients should feel like no matter what the situation is that they can call you for help. They want to know that when they call or come into your store that they are wanted and that they will not be made fun of or treated like they are ignorant.
Let’s go off on this side note for a second because I find that it is easy to make someone think that you are above them. It actually is done all the time without you knowing it. When you are talking with someone make sure that:
- You do not seem like you are talking to them, but that you are talking WITH them.
- You do not say things like: ‘everyone knows’, or ‘it’s common knowledge’ even if it is in-fact true. Instead say: ‘I have come to find’, ‘I read/heard’, or ‘consider trying this’ as these words do not demean your customer.
3. Give Them Rewards
For some reason, which I have not quite figured out, businesses seem to only cover half of this spectrum. I see all the time businesses offering 10% off or buy-one-get-one-free coupons to NEW CUSTOMERS. What about your long-time loyal customers? Do not forget to offer special discounts or gifts to your clients that have been supporting you and your company for years. Remember, this is a relationship and you have to make your client feel special.
Offer your clients rewards like:
- A free promotional product. Mugs, bags, t-shirts are great items that everybody loves.
- Free plastic business cards. Yes, these cost a little bit, but some of your customers give your company a lot of money, and you offering to buy some cards for them will make them become more loyal to you. (and maybe even buy more of your products in the future)
- A Free one-day vacation. Take your client golfing or on a fishing trip (or some other attraction close to your area). This can be semi-expensive, but it is a great way to build your relationship with your client while showing them that you value them.
There are several other ways to grow your business-client relationship, but these few steps are a good start to becoming the business that you want to be. What is a way that you build your relationships with your customers?
Adam Conner, Print and Marketing Expert
Check out My1Stop.com for your plastic business cards.