Here are my top five tips to improve your customer relationships:
- Ask for feedback. If you have email addresses for your customers, consider sending out a short email survey after they make a purchase. (Survey Monkey and Zoomerang are two free online survey options to check out.) Ask about their experience, level of satisfaction, and suggestions for improvement. If you can act on their ideas, do so. Let them know you are listening, have valued their input and made changes as a result.
- Encourage engagement. Social media offers you a fantastic opportunity to engage with your customers for free. Urge customers to “like” and “follow” you. Notify them of updates at your business, and be sure to follow up. Even if you get negative feedback online, address issues quickly. People will see that you paid attention and take note.
- Offer customer reward options. If you don’t already offer them, consider customer-only deals and incentives. For instance, you can build a customer email list and send out coupons or specials to those who sign up. You might also offer a ‘thank you event.’
- Ask for testimonials. If you have a customer willing to share his or her experience with your company, use it to your advantage and share it. Post testimonials on your website or include them in your newsletters.
- Consider referral incentives. Nothing beats a referral from a satisfied customer. Think about creating a referral program or finding ways to get customers to tell their friends about you. People are much more likely to make a purchase from a new company if they hear about it from a friend or family member.
