Customers are what makes a company profitable. Without the interest and finances of an individual or business (B2B), a brand cannot thrive. Ideally, this is why so many start a business and focus on lead generations and sales. Though it is appropriate to want to generate leads and reach a broader audience, if you’re not taking the time to invest in cultivating deeper relationships with each and every existing customer, your brand won’t go very far.
Fly By Night or Loyalty?
Anyone can find your site (physical or online) and make a purchase, but it is those customers who continue to make purchases, vouch for your brand, and send others your way that proves to be worth the investment in the end. To retain that types of customer, however, you have to go above and beyond just supplying a great product or service. Here are a few suggestions on how to carry that out:
Invest in Your Staff
Your staff is responsible for helping you put out quality products and services and cater to the needs of your customers. If your staff isn’t happy or isn’t being invested in properly, you cannot expect them to go above and beyond for your customers. Not only should you be providing thorough training, but you should be actively creating a positive work environment that reduces stress and increases productivity. This means making sure your team has the best software, hardware, workstations, and environment to give their best to your customers.
Give Customers a Platform
You can only improve your customer service if you know what improvements need to be made (or what things you’re doing well). If you want to develop a positive relationship with your customers it is imperative that you provide them with a platform to not only ask questions but to voice their concerns and give input. When customers feel that you’re taking their words into consideration they feel appreciated and are more inclined to stay loyal to your brand. Social media and newsletters are both great platforms for open communication from your target audience.
Tokens of Appreciation
How often do you tell your customers thanks for continuing to do business with you? It doesn’t take much to make a person feel appreciated and, therefore, committed. You can give out a free promotional item to every new customer, send out holiday food vouchers from sites like https://www.pfrcorporategifts.com/gift-certificates/turkey/, send birthday cards and coupons for their birthdays, host exclusive events and invite your most valuable customers, host giveaways and raffles, give out prizes for online quizzes, have contests and so much more to let your customers know they’re more than just a dollar sign to you.
Be Open and Honest
Here’s a big one that most entrepreneurs overlook – transparency. A customer can understand that things happen and that everything won’t always go according to plan. What they can’t understand is when a company does wrong and then invests a ton of time and energy into ignoring their actions or placing blame elsewhere. Customers are much more inclined to stick by a brand that says, “We’re sorry, this method didn’t work. However, we’re doing everything in our power to rectify the situation” as opposed to a brand that tries to push it under the rug by pushing more merchandise on clients or placing fault elsewhere.
Yes, having several new customers to your site or in your store is great and adds to your bottom line, but it is the loyal customers that help you stay afloat. Essentially, it is equally important that you do more to cultivate stronger relationships with your existing customers on a regular basis. Hopefully, this has given you some insight on where to start making changes.
