Every Customer Contact is a New Business Opportunity!

A Home Business Article Contributed by Donna m. Brown

Take This Business Opportunity to Let Your Customers Know You Care

You've hooked a customer with your great products and services -- you must consider every customer a whole new business opportunity. Now don't let him get away! Follow up is one of the greatest tools you can use to assure repeat patronage. Immediate follow-up will set the stage for a long-lasting relationship between your customer and your company.

A simple "thank you" at the end of a transaction will impress your customer and give you an opportunity to measure your customer's level of satisfaction. That's where the follow up begins, but if you want this business opportunity to be a business success, you won't let that be where your follow up ends.

Your Business Opportunity is Not Your Customers' Primary Concern

Your business opportunity is not your customers' primary concern, and it shouldn't be. Just because you are all consumed with making your business opportunity work, don't expect your customers to keep you on their minds. Remind customers often what you are doing for them.

Communication is the key to creating a new business opportunity each time you converse with a customer. Be sure to blow your own horn often. Let customers know what you are doing for them. Use inexpensive methods of communication that are available today to keep your products and services in the forefront for your customers. Publish a regular newsletter and mail it to existing customers. Brag about new research, developments or specials you are offering to your valued customers.

There's nothing like a personal note from a company executive to remind customers that you take every aspect of your business opportunity seriously. Let customers know often that you are thinking of them and that you hope they will think of you next time they need a product or service you can provide.

Don't let answering machines and impersonal e-mails do the talking for you. That's a good way to lose a good business opportunity. Maintain that personal touch that will help earn your customers loyalty. Don't try to address problems over answering machines. If you have trouble contacting a troubled customer, send a personal letter, an e-mail or leave a phone message inviting that customer to visit with you in person - then make yourself available.

Every Special Occasion Presents a New Business Opportunity

Begin right now to build a database of personal customer information. Don't make your customers feel like they are being interrogated, but let them know that you would like very much to remember them on their special occasions.

Send birthday cards, anniversary remembrances and regular holiday greetings at every opportunity. Keep them as personal as possible so your customers don't feel like another name on a mailing list, but be sure to manage the information in a way that will allow you to quickly and efficiently maintain contact with customers when they most like to be remembered

Consider every follow up call a chance to build your business by introducing the idea of your satisfied customer acting as a walking business referral. Provide business cards, discount coupons, small gifts and pens that advertise your business name, address and telephone number. The more often you are in front of your customer, the more business referrals you are likely to get.