Look for Ways to Build Customer Loyalty Daily

Laura Milligan, writing for Bootstrapper posted 100 Tiny Tips to Create and Maintain Customers this week. Best of all, the tips are categorized: where to find customers, networking with customers, website tricks, spoiling them, being attentive, executive specials, hassle free, effective efficient communications and so on. Not only does this list have significant resources on it, there are additional links and tip sheets embedded in the copy.

Priority one for any entrepreneur means taking care of customers. If you haven’t contacted a customer today, take time to reach out and connect today. Mary Schmidt blogged “I’d take a bullet for them.” Ok. It’s not as exciting, but I have two simple things that anyone can add to their customer care.

First of all, say thank you. Thank you (particularly if it’s a sincere, handwritten thank you note) is always appropriate. I can think of no situation in which a thank you note did not further endear me to its author.

Secondly, listen. Rather than multi-tasking, give 100% attention to your customer, even if you are on the phone. Your attention makes a difference. Again, listening gives you the opportunity to connect; in the process, you often hear a way in which you can add value with little effort for a customer. For example, you might offer a referral or give them information that solves a small dilemma. The little things like that build strong ties and create ongoing loyalty.

Ask yourself: what do I do for customers? How do you let them know you’re pleased to do business with them?