Archive for Client Building

Apr
22

Tips for Getting Enthusiastic Customers

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tips for getting enthusiastic customersAfter reading the blog post Secrets to Earning Passionate Fans, I wanted to chime in about some good customer relations tips. To summarize, the post talks about some of the things that set apart customers from fans, and why some businesses are simply liked, while others are loved. What sets these businesses apart? Is it what they are selling or what they are doing or a mix?

Well, it turns out that for the most part these are the businesses that go the extra mile and do it deliberately. They do things like giving away goodies, working to improve employee relations, and thinking of customers first. Notice, I said they do these things deliberately. An action, when done deliberately, is obvious to a customer base and people will sit up and take notice.

For example, one Canadian company is sending out “humble pies” for their mistakes to customers (yes, these are actual apple pies!). Another bicycle company in Connecticut lets customers test-drive bikes without any form of ID required. Other businesses, including my own, make donations to important charities, like breast cancer research.

When working to create a business that people love and rave about, some other important tips include focusing on reliability, good hiring and employee relations, and making sure that the employees understand the greater purpose of your business. These are some great customer relation tips to try out in your own practice.

You see, when you’ve got a loyal and enthusiastic fan base, you’ve got a surge of word of mouth marketing. This is basically free marketing and takes no time or effort on your part, other than continuing to provide great products that your fan base love and having a platform for them to interact.

What special things could you do?

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Social networking seems like a marketing must today. But, do businesses know how to socialize with their customers online in order to increase loyalty?

On September 16, MarketingProfs, an online resource offering beneficial information and products to marketers put on the Digital Marketing World conference to help entrepreneurs and business owners further develop their marketing knowledge and skills and learn about current marketing trends.  The fall conference was the second of two free conferences (the first Digital Marketing World conference was held in the Spring) in order to help people continue honing their marketing skills during an economical downturn.

With featured keynote speaker Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, publisher of Talk magazine and the founder of The Daily Beast , this online event had an array of professional, interesting guest speakers and insightful presentations.

While each presentation was impressive and delivered a great deal of information, the one that stood out to me was Building Customer Loyalty on the Social Web, presented by Becky Carroll, Founder of Petra Consulting and Michael Brito, Social Media Strategist with Intel.

This presentation detailed the importance social media plays in corporate branding today. The presenters pointed out that 60% of Americans use social media. Of those 60%, a staggering 93% believe companies should have a presence on the social web while 85% believe companies should be interacting on the social web. This was important to hear because these stats prove just how much of an impact social media marketing is having on consumers. Why is having a social media presence important? Because it:

  • Builds client loyalty.
  • Gets people talking about your business.
  • Creates an easy avenue for customer feedback.

Many of us who are already using social media to market our business realize the importance of a social media presence already, but how many of us know how to maintain that presence? Here are the steps I learned from the Building Customer Loyalty on the Social Web presentation to gain loyalty and keep it:

Listen to what your customers have to say. Browse social networking sites and read what your target market is talking about in order to gain some insight into what you can offer to help them or what you should be avoiding in terms of your service and/or product.

Talk with your customers. Be authentic and genuine when talking with your target market. Show them there is a real person behind the brand. Being engaging and real helps to instil trust and thus increase customer loyalty.

Energize your target market. Use social media to identify enthusiastic customers. Use their enthusiasm to promote your service or brand to others.

Be supportive. Make it possible for customers to support one another. Help your customers don’t spam or sell the product or service.

Embrace your target market. Use social media as a resource for turning customers into innovation.

Social media marketing is not just about listening but is also about engaging and acting. By being authentic , thinking long term rather than short term and posting information your target market is interested in, your customer loyalty will quickly begin to grow.

Categories : Blog, Client Building
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The number one question a new business owner or prospect business start up asks is HOW DO I FIND CLIENTS AND PROMOTE MY BUSINESS?

There are many ways to promote your business which will result in finding prospect clients.  This is not in any particular order.

  1. Have a website (reading further will explain why it is so important)
  2. Link to other websites and trackbacks to your site.
  3. Submit listings on online directories
  4. Advertise in the Yellow Pages
  5. Having great Business Cards. 
  6. Flyers
  7. Brochures
  8. Post Cards
  9. Promotional Marketing (Pens, Hats, T-Shirts, Magnets, Golf Balls, Key chains, Candy Wrappers etc)
  10. Blogging
  11. Participate in Forums
  12. Social Networking such as Face book, Linkedin, Twitter, Biznik, My Space and many more
  13. Local Networking such as Chamber of Commerce, Country Club, Golfing, Gyms and attend Events
  14. Ask for Referrals (90% of your business will be from referrals)
  15. Press Releases
  16. Write Articles and submit to Article Submission Sites
  17. Write an Ebook
  18. Give away Freebies (Free ebook, advice or promotional items)
  19. Branding.  Be recognized by having a consistent brand like the Corporate Companies do like Pepsi, Best Buy, and Hp etc.
  20. Create Videos and post on sites like You tube
  21. Podcast.  Have your own radio show online.

By reading the above list you can see that if you don’t have a website you won’t have all of the opportunities to get your name out there.  You also want something they can go back to in the future.  A prospect can decide to use your services many days, months or years later.  Wouldn’t it be nice if you spoke to someone either online or at an event and they contact you 6 months later?  Better yet they can pass on your info to someone that they know that could use your services.  Spend the first 6 months to 1 year of your business getting your name out there like and then eventually it will payoff.  Make sure to leave them with something to remember you by such as a great website and great conversation!

Categories : Blog, Client Building
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Jun
12

What Does Your Handshake Say?

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There are many things a handshake can tell about a person. 

 

Have you ever noticed the way some people have shaken your hand and you want to yell out “OUCH” or their hand was so fragile you felt like they were as limp as a noodle?

 
Shaking hands are a sign of respect, trust and confidence. In the business world shaking hands is a must.  The first impression a limp noodle makes is a lack in confidence, fear and trust. There are not very many people who would like to do business with someone that seems to lack confidence. When you shake hands with people upon meeting you are most likely to be remembered. 

 

10 handshakes to avoid” rec’d by Career Builder

  1. The “macho cowboy”… is the almost bone-crunching clasp many businessmen use to shake hands. What are they trying to prove, anyway? There’s no need to demonstrate your physical strength when shaking another person’s hand.
  2. The wimp… is usually delivered by men who are afraid to “hurt the little lady” when shaking women’s hands. Modern female professionals expect their male counterparts to convey the same respect they’d show their male colleagues.
  3. The “dead fish”… conveys no power. While there’s no need to revert to the macho cowboy death grip, a firm clasp is more powerful than one that barely grabs the hand.
  4. The “four finger”… is when the person’s hand never meets your palm, and instead clasps all four fingers, crushing them together.
  5. The cold and clammy… feels like you’re shaking hands with a snake. Warm up your hand first before grabbing someone else’s.
  6. The sweaty palm… is pretty self-explanatory, and pretty gross. Talcum powder to the rescue.
  7. The “I’ve got you covered” grip… happens when the other person covers your hand with his or her left hand as if your shake is secretive.
  8. The “I won’t let go”… seems to go on for eternity because the other person won’t drop his or her hand. After two or three pumps, it’s time to let go. “It’s a lot like a kiss – you know when it’s over,” Brody says.
  9. The “southpaw”… happens when the person uses the left hand to shake because the right hand has food or a drink. Always carry your drink and plate with your left hand to keep your right one free for meet and greets.
  10. The “ringed torture”… occurs when the person’s rings hurt your hand. Try to limit the number of rings you wear on the right hand to only one or two and be mindful of any that have large stones.

Three steps to a proper handshake
some other things to keep in mind:

  • As you’re approaching someone, extend your right arm when you’re about three feet away. Slightly angle your arm across your chest, with your thumb pointing up.
  • Lock hands, thumb joint to thumb joint. Then, firmly clasp the other person’s hand – without any bone crushing or macho posturing.
  • Pump the other person’s hand two to three times and let go.

In my eyes confidence brings success.  If you are not confident you will not succeed.  There are many coaching and consultants that can help those who lack confidence.  Sometime all you need is a little push and advice and you will be on your way to success.

Categories : Blog, Client Building
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Jun
08

7 things to do with your business cards

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1.    Always have business cards on hand and extras in your vehicle.  You never know where people may allow you to leave business cards.  Some examples:

Business card rack at fast food restaurants.

Local retail shops & Hair Salons

Food Courts in malls, airports or hospitals

Check out my resources page for a free eBook on 43 places to leave your business cards. Read More→

Categories : Blog, Client Building
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