Many businesses think they know the key to success. They think that by using some magical marketing technique, for example, they’ll become an instant success. However, it only ever boils down to one thing: keeping your clients happy. It’s a no brainer! If you keep your clients happy, they’ll come back to you when they need you. They’ll recommend you to other people who might need you. So how do you keep them happy? Read on to find out!
Make Sure Your Customer Service is Amazing
First off, your customer service needs to be absolutely amazing. There should be nothing you can improve on. The way you speak to your customers and handle their complaints is vital. You can’t please everybody, so you’re bound to get a few complaints here and there. It might not even be your service necessarily; this person might just be having a bad day and is choosing to take it out on you. Regardless, you need to know how to handle it. Of course you shouldn’t have to accept abuse from customers, but you should try to stop that from ever happening. You can use emails, phone calls, and social media to offer the best customer service you can muster. Make sure that each customer that calls you feels like they’ve had a small victory. It’s about so much more than just giving a refund: why not include a free gift? Replace an item for free? Give a big discount? It all helps to keep them coming back. A jilted customer is a force to be reckoned with!
Give Them Discounts
It’s a good idea to offer discounts to your clients. You could do this because they’ve simply been loyal to you, or because they have purchased in bulk from you. It’s really your prerogative how you decide to do this, but it’ll make the client feel great. When you make clients feel great, you enhance their overall experience!
Give Away Free Stuff
I’m not saying you should give all of your stock away for free – that would be silly. However, you should consider giving out small samples, or a gift with a purchase over X amount. You might even encourage them to make another purchase if you do this!
Send Them Holiday Greetings
Whenever a holiday comes up, send your clients a greeting. Sending business Christmas ecards can be a great way to let them know you’re thinking of them. You’ll then stay in the forefront of their mind in the future!
Offer Free Advice
Free advice goes a long way in this day and age. You know a lot about your industry (I’m assuming), so help your customers by offering advice. Tell them how to perform certain tasks using your stock, how they can make the most out of their buys, and any helpful advice you can think of in general. Don’t be precious about your advice. It’s such a valuable way to get clients coming back. Tell them in person, and even consider starting a blog if you feel you have a lot of it to share!
Keep those clients happy and you’ll have more business than you know what to do with!
