Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
It has been said that people do not care how much you really know until they know how much you really care for them. In whatever business we may be in, if we deal with clients on a daily basis, we must continually let them know that we, indeed, care for them. As clients are usually the livelihood of any company or business, we must look for ways to let our clients know that they are special and important and that we value their business. Afterall, not only do they provide us with their own business, but if they feel they receive excellent customer service and/or quality products, they will willingly refer us to others.
Most of us are not fortunate enough to shower our clients with big-tickets perks like major sporting event tickets or expensive gift baskets. While very few clients would turn these types of gifts away, most clients simply wish to be acknowledged. Here are some simple and budget-friendly ways to let your own clients know that you care.
After you visit with your client for the first time, as soon as they leave, write out a small note on a postcard or letterhead that lets them know you are grateful for the time they spent with you and that you appreciate their business. For example, if you are a car salesman and have just sold a young couple a new car, you could write something brief such as, Thank you for allowing me to visit with you yesterday. I hope you enjoy your first new car and that it brings you many years of happiness. If there is anything I can do for you or if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me. Writing this note immediately after visiting with the client will prevent you from forgetting about it later on. Your client should receive this first personalized thank you note from you within the first week or two, to keep you fresh in their minds.
If you are in a business that allows you information on clients birthdays, keep a calendar of these occasions so you can send out a short birthday card to them on this date. Not many people receive birthday cards anymore, so your card will definitely stand out and be remembered.
In addition to personal birthday cards, you can also send out other holiday cards as you wish, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and 4th of July. These holiday cards, however, do not necessarily have to be personalized. Since you will probably be sending these types of cards in bulk, they can be printed and all you have to do is sign off on them.
Give your clients a call about once a quarter (or more if your business demands it) to make sure any questions they may have or concerns they may have are answered. You do not want to keep the client tied up on the phone for an hour, so make the phone call brief so they know you respect their time.
Depending on the nature of your business, you may know the clients family members. When giving them their quarterly call or sending out holiday cards, make sure to inquire about their different family members by name. For example, if you have a client whose son was just accepted to an Ivy League college, make sure to congratulate them when you call. They will appreciate that you have taken the time to know a little more about them than their typical business contacts.
All in all, treat your customers and clients as you would want to be treated. In a world where business transactions have been made more and more brief and impersonal, your clients will appreciate your classic business sentiment.
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