One of the easiest and most inexpensive marketing strategies is to provide outstanding customer service.
Although you may not know it, you hold a wealth of ways to differentiate yourself. Think of what can you offer that no one else is offering that will make customers go to you instead of your competitors.
- It is about the relationship. The bottom line is that you will be judged by what you do, not what you say. So make sure you do what you say. And more. In other words – underpromise and overdeliver.
- What can you do for your customers. Many entrepreneurs have realized that specialized customer service pay off in the long term. Collect information about your customers! Call your customers or send them a personalized card when you get new products in their favorite colors or on their birthdays. The more information you have about your customers, the better you will understand what they want.
- Give them something extra. Everyone loves to get something for free – even if it is just a genuine smile. If you have a clothing store and a customer buys a lot – throw in a pair of socks for free. If you sell cosmetics you can give a lip-stick or even a coupon for the next time. If you are selling services, focus on turn-around time. Rosa cleaned offices and built excellent relations with her employers by taking care of small, inexpensive details. She would bring a flower for a vase, or leave some cookies in the office’s kitchen. By word of mouth, her business is growing, all due to her “added touch”.
- Make a customer service list. Visit other businesses and see what they offer – and offer the same but better. Then make a list of ideas you have for better customer service and implement two new ideas each week.
- Talk to your customers. Ask you customers what they would wish you offered. Listen to them and offer to enter them into a raffle for customer service ideas and give a prize or a gift card at the end of each month to your clients. Learn your customer’s names and how to pronounce them.
- Be honest. Do not offer false advice or try to sell customers something that will not benefit them. Look at each client and find a way to make them come back again. This is how you measure the success of your customer service. custom stirrup socks