|
4 Ways To Build Lasting Relationships with your Customers |
Written by karen grahams
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
|
When running a business you will eventually face a time when a given client relationship has become rocky. This could arise from your company's performance, or it could be related to circumstances completely outside of your control. Whatever the underlying cause the fact remains that the relationship must be saved. There are several techniques which can be employed towards this end. E-mail Fails Alone, Pick Up the Telephone E-mail is not suited for the delivery of bad news. Nor is it a medium which should be employed when responding to an irate client. Face to face meeting is ideal, but oftentimes it is not practical. A telephone call enables the client to hear your voice inflections and the emotions conveyed in your words. Email can come off as cold and remote even when not intended. Hearing your voice goes a long way towards assuaging an upset customer. Customers Will Bark When Left In the Dark Communication is essential in all customer relation scenarios. During difficult times it becomes paramount. A client who feels kept in the dark will only have exacerbated annoyance. Even if it is bad news like you mailed their postcard marketing to Moscow, Russia instead of Moscow, Idaho it is best to tell them right away. It is easier for a customer to face a known problem as opposed to let their imagination run wild as to how bad the problem actually is. Show You Can By Having a Plan Customers do not desire to hear about a problem without a proposed solution. When you have bad news to convey, the blow will be greatly cushioned if you immediately have a plan to fix the situation whatever it may be. Conveying a problem alone is not acceptable. Your customer will appreciate your proactive nature and you could potentially turn the situation around from being a negative to a confidence inspiring experience. You'll Be Set for a Fall If You Promise It All Once your client has a given expectation it must be fulfilled. If you over promise to your customers you are setting yourself up for a fall. Before you make a promise relating to a deadline or any other facet of the relationship make sure you can keep it. If you assure a client you'll have post card printing done on a tight deadline make sure it is possible. Following the above simple techniques can help turn a potentially negative situation into a relationship building event. A smart business owner views even the problems as opportunities. Issues inevitably arise with customers of all businesses. How the business addresses them separates the winners from the losers. For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Postcard Printing and Postcard Marketing Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
You are welcome to publish this article free of charge on your website, newsletter, or e-zine, provided:
- You don't change the article in any way
- You include the entire article, including the "about the author" box
- All hyperlinks must remain intact, including email addresses, and the link to ArticleBlast.com at the bottom
- In doing so you agree to indemnify the article's author, and ArticleBlast.com and its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities which arise out of its use
- It is also recommended that you provide a courtesy copy of your publication to the author of the article
