If you own a small business (or any sized business for that matter), you’re always looking for ways to get more business. Most companies look for NEW business and neglect their most important source of more business…… CURRENT customers.
Here are three ways to get more business from your CURRENT customers.
- RELATIONSHIP MARKETING– There are several definitions of what Relationship Marketing is, but for me it means creating a long lasting relationship with your CURRENT clients in order to get additional business in the future. There are many ways that you can use this marketing technique, both online and offline, but no matter what channel you use, the goal of Relationship Marketing is to continue to develop a relationship with your customers beyond the first purchase. This could include showing your gratitude for their business by sending a “Thank You” card, remembering important dates like the anniversary date of services received by your company, sending a birthday card, sending holiday emails, etc. Each time you connect with your customers it keeps your service top of mind, and it builds the know, like and trust factor for your company.
- REWARDS PROGRAM– Are you rewarding your customers for choosing your company? Rewards and loyalty programs are super popular now. Many credit card companies offer rewards programs to ensure repeat business and to keep their customers loyal to their credit card. The same type of rewards program can be applied to any industry. The goal of a rewards program is to encourage loyalty, get repeat business, and to keep your service or product top of mind with your CURRENT customers.
- REFERRAL PROGRAM– Are you currently offering your clients an incentive for referring someone to you? This really is a no brainer technique. If you have customers who already know, like and trust your company use that to your advantage by asking them to refer their friends and family for your services. People like to do business with companies that a trusted friend or family has referred them to, so it is almost guaranteed business for you. The goal is to get your current customers to send you more business in the form of a referral by offering some type of incentive for the referral.
What ways do you use to get more business from your existing customers?