customer relationships

Although excellent customer service is critical, alone it may not be enough to keep customers coming back to your business. Establishing and maintaining strong customer relationships will determine if your company will enjoy repeat customers, or constantly struggle with attracting new ones. In Top Ten Ways to Build Customer Relationships Part 1, we looked at the first 5 ways to build customer relationships.

The following are the final 5 ways to build lasting customer relationships.

[note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]6[/dropcap] Really Listen. Active listening is skill that develops over time. Most employees, and managers, don’t have a clue as to how to engage in it. Talk to associates about the listening process; letting the customer talk, assessing what it is that they really want, and finding a quick resolution for the actual problem.[/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]7[/dropcap] Treat Better Customers Better. Not all customers are created equal. This doesn’t mean you treat new customers poorly, but it does mean that you acknowledge and reward frequent customers. This can occur through customer VIP programs, special deals, or events. These customers know they won’t find this high level of treatment anywhere else, and they are more likely to stay with you.[/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]8[/dropcap] Build Trust. Successful customer relationships are built on trust. This means, your company must keep its promises and live up to its professed values.[/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]9[/dropcap] Be Authentic. Customers want to feel like they are talking to you, not an outsourced version of you. It’s impossible to maintain a customer relationship, when the customer is hesitant to contact your business out of fear of the unknown.[/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]10[/dropcap] Be Patient and Persistent. No one like a pushy salesman, but annual reassurance of your presence, whether on site or online, will make your company the natural choice once the customer does need assistance.[/note]

This concludes the top 10 ways to build customer relationships.

Building successful customer relationships is a leading initiative of every successful business. Honest and persistent customer relationships will not only add to your customer service, but it will create a psychological and emotional bond with customers that will keep them coming again and again.

Here are 10 top strategies to build lasting customer relationships.

[note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]1[/dropcap] Speak Their Language.
Successful companies know that they must speak the same language as their customers, even if the language is created by the company and then shared. Language also becomes how your customers share information with each other. Starbucks, for example, communicates with its customers via words like “Tall” and “Grande.” This creates a special language associated with the company and communicates the desires of the customer to employees. [/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]2[/dropcap] Segment the Customer List.
There are many initiatives, programs, and applications that companies use to segment their customers. Whichever you choose, be sure to invest in personalizing your communications with customers through email, text, and voice messaging.[/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]3[/dropcap] Increase Customer Interaction.
Implement customer interaction initiatives on site and virtually. Encourage associates to learn customer names, acknowledge their presence and always look for better ways to serve them. If your business is online, contact customers annually, and use techniques like promotions, and follow up questions to get them to interact with you.[/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]4[/dropcap] Educate Customers.
Make sure to share all of your programs and special services with new customers. Tell them why they should form customer relationships with you over your competitor.[/note] [note note_color=”#efefef”][dropcap style=”simple”]5[/dropcap] Build Alliances with Other Businesses.
Seek out partnerships with other companies. Referrals can be a powerful weapon. If you’ve built customer trust, those customers are more likely to frequent another business if you vouch for them and vice versa.[/note]

Stay tuned for part two of Top Ten Ways to Build Customer Relationships.