5 Tips to Convert a First Time Customer into a Lifetime Customer

17 Nov, 2015 | Tags: , , , , ,

Congratulations!  You have sold your product (or service) to a new customer.  It’s a great feeling!  Then you say something like “Thank you, let me know if there is anything else I can help you with in the future.”  Basically, right there, without realizing it, you killed it, and not in a good way.  You see, the translation to what you just said is really, “I got my sale, I’m done at my end, and if you want anything else then you’ll have to contact me.  I’m not going to put any additional effort into you because I came for the sale and I already got it.”  That may not be your intention, but that’s how it may have come across. 

In reality, it doesn’t even matter if you got the sale just now.  You might be scratching your head over this statement, but it’s true.  If you are sincere in wanting a forever customer then you need to build a relationship.  That’s the key.  Most times they can get the product or service from someone else so why should they do business with you?

Build a Relationship.

  A potential customer wants to see that you are interested in them, not as a paycheck, but as someone who wishes to serve them, to help, direct, educate, to build a customer for life.  They want to know that you’re in their corner.  If you are sincere is wanting to be in their corner than that brings us to the next step, listening.

Ask Open-Ended Questions and Listen to the Answers.

Find out about them.  The more information they share, the more you can see how your product or service can help them now or in the future.  Note:  Keep a journal and jot down info on them so you can bring it up in the future.  And remember, you might be doing something totally different in the future, and they may too.  So, I hope you see that a relationship is more important than one sale.  If it is, then that brings us to the next step, finding out how they want you to connect.

Communication.

How does your potential customer like to be addressed?  How do they like to share communication?  By phone? Email? Text?  There’s nothing more irritating to a potential customer than communicating to someone that you don’t want to communicate via phone and would prefer email and they keep calling you, over and over again.  Is this person really connected to their potential customer’s needs?  Absolutely not.

Your New Product or Service to Their Needs

. Always inform your customer if there is something new or something on sale that you feel would be of interest to them.  Let them hear your enthusiasm, and explain to her/him that you wanted to share this new product/service because “you remembered how fill in the blank was so important to them.  Take the time to explain how it may meet their needs.  As you grow this relationship, remember to note how their needs have changed; don’t be afraid to ask them why they’ve changed.  Did they get married?  Start a new business venture?  Downsize or have kids?

New Life Event?  Special Occasion?

Remember special occasions and send a card, call or in some cases, send a little gift.  Maybe they just had a child, or it’s their company’s anniversary or they just returned from a fabulous vacation.  Reaching out to them reminds them of your sincerity to be there for them when needed.  My husband and I have a realtor friend and he sends a calendar with his name and phone number on it to us at the end of each year.  He calls us twice a year just to check in, remind us that he’s there for us and asks if we have any questions about the market.  I say realtor “friend” even though he’s not a social friend.  We view him as such though because he builds relationships and we know whether we buy or sell a house soon, he is there to help us with any questions.  He’s a great example of creating a customer for life.  Without a doubt, we will be calling him if and when we decide to sell and would feel very comfortable recommending him to our friends and associates.

Where ever you or your customer may go in life, there’s always an opportunity to take them with you. 

  By Karen Orem

How To Make Your Deadlines Every Time

05 Nov, 2015 | Tags: , , ,

Deadlines can sneak up on you. You think, OK I’ve got two weeks to finish this project, so you place it on hold. Then 24 hours before it’s due, you’re suddenly geared up and stressed out trying to finish the project on time. Watching that calendar date come closer and closer, or completely forgetting the deadline completely, is not a great business strategy when trying to remain professional. Deadline adrenaline rushes can help deal with unexpected events but should never be a part of your strategy. Here are 5 ways to make sure you make your deadlines every time.

1. Break Down Your Bigger Tasks Into Smaller Pieces

Take in the big picture of your workload. Look at each of the projects and their deadlines. Then create for yourself smaller projects within those larger projects. Create deadlines along the way. This way, when your big deadline shows up, you’ve already completed the better part of the project in smaller increments.

2. Use Technology To Stay Ahead

You live in the year 2015; act like it. Don’t try and keep up with all your projects and deadlines in your head or on small post-it notes scattered around your desk. Use calendars, your smartphone, and apps to help you stay on task. There are so many easy applications out there to help you stay organized. Do your research and find (then use) the best organization strategy to help you stay on task. 

3. Get Started

Getting started sounds easy, but sometimes it isn’t. Set aside the time to just stare blankly at your computer if necessary. Type words and hope they start making sense. (None of this is good advice…) The reality is though, that unless you position yourself to start… nothing will get done. Your project won’t start itself while you watch that TV show. So put aside time to get started, even if you don’t know quite yet how you are going to start.

4. Reward Yourself

Have a plan to reward yourself when you’ve finished your project. You know yourself best;  set up rewards that you know will motivate you. Maybe if you’ve broken your task into several smaller tasks, maybe you are allowed a 10 minute break for each task you finish. Or perhaps once you’ve finished that major project, you go out to dinner at your favorite local restaurant. Either way, have a reward system set up for yourself that will help you power through to the end.

5. It’s Ok To Ask For Help

Don’t ever be afraid to say, “I need help.” Sometimes your project may be too much; you won’t be a hero because you don’t make your deadline… all by yourself. Recruit help if you need it. It’s better to finish the job on time and well, instead of having the project loom over you unfinished. 

Speaking of help, is scheduling your work shifts an item in your to do list? Then allow us take that load of your back by trying out our What Time Do I Work software.

Henry Rarick is a marketing specialist who focuses on supporting hard money lenders. He is passionate about making things happen on time and on point.