How To Keep Your Customers Happy

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Once you get the account, how do you make the most of your business relationship? Happy customers and clients are the lifeblood of your company. One simple flaw in communication can turn happy to disgruntled; several repeated communication flaws spell disaster.

Don’t neglect the simple, obvious things that make working with your company pleasant. Simple conversation skills can go a long way to grow and improve the relationship with your customers.

Basically, that’s listening and responding clearly.

Here’s a breakdown of things you can do to keep your customers happy, and easily coming back to you with future sales or projects!

• Answer all communication clearly, including phone calls and emails. Respond within 24 hours unless marked urgent. Never wait longer than that.
• Request that they join you on social media when you collect their contact information.
• Stay in touch with your company newsletter, and send it out at least weekly. Some people argue that their customers don’t like being contacted that much, but that’s the wrong way to look at email communication with them. You’re staying on their radar. Use an email service like AWeber to schedule your emails so that you can see who’s reading them, who’s clicking through to your website, and who’s ignoring them altogether. Don’t drop them if they aren’t opening them up, instead improve your subject lines and content. If you don’t take this step, truly, your very fickle customers will go to the first one they see who may not be you when they’re looking for something. Be the first one on their mind when they need what you have.
• Spell out their requirements for your services. Spell out your actual offer. Get them to sign off on your agreement. This holds you both accountable, and gives you something you can refer to when or if there is a misunderstanding.
• ALWAYS assume that missed objectives are a misunderstanding and don’t jump to negative conclusions. That attitude will impair your judgement in the next conversations.
• With every communication, listen for ways you can be even more clear and precise. People like knowing exactly what they’re getting. Ask specific questions if you don’t understand what you’re being asked.
• Have a document available outlining how you’ll handle warranties, guarantees, and grievances, and keep them simple, too.
• Spend more time listening and less time talking. You’ll be surprised what you learn! You may find out there’s something you can offer to remedy a need and make more money, or you may learn there’s something you sell or do that’s simply awful. Listen to people.

Finally, take the extra step to send thank-you cards, birthday cards, and small tokens that keep you on their mind while letting them know you appreciate them – like good pens, key chains or coffee mugs.

How do you keep your customers happy? Do you see something I missed? Share here!