Better First Impressions: 5 Ways to Improve and Build Better Relationships With Customers

A business' relationship with its customers are the single most important connection it has. Customers are the life of any business, be it a service-oriented enterprise or a manufacturing plant. The larger and more solid your customer bases are, the more profits reeled in and, more importantly, the greater exposure your brand gets. Impressing your loyal patrons and building unshakable relationships with them, however, is easier said than done.

Make Your Lines Available

If customers cannot reach you through phone, email, text, or in person, they will most likely move to a new service provider who is able to provide what your business is lacking. Although customers don't really call you 24/7, the ability to reach you anytime they need to is an important service element for them as it inspires confidence and convenience on their part.

Get To Know Your Clients Better

Having a business is not a one way connection where the customers should be the only ones who know your products or services. As the business owner, you must also get to know your clientele better. This way, you can address their needs and preferences. Conducting research on who your target audiences are is not enough to know your clients better. you should engage in meaningful conversations with them as often as possible.

Give Them Incentives

Give your customers incentives, even if its just small tokens of appreciation. For example, if you run a dental clinic, why not leave a snack bowl on the reception table for those waiting. On the other hand, if you're a convenience store owner, provide some occasional discounts or special promotions. Even small things count when accumulated overtime.

Offer Something Valuable

If your products or services are of low quality, no degree of customer relationship can salvage your connections with them. It is best to fix this aspect first before trying to build and improve relationships with your customers. Create or look for things of great value and that is hard to find in your vicinity. This will drive more demand and impress your customers of how diverse your store selection is. And always remember to leave something such as a business card to have them remember you by.

Be Honest

If you cannot do something the client wants, then give them an explanation or say no. It is difficult to lose clients this way, but it will be more challenging for you to work on something beyond your grasp just to satisfy one or two customers. Keep in mind that you can't satisfy everyone and if you try too hard, you may cause damage to your business.

Building and improving your customer relationship may take some time and effort. Nonetheless, it does reward you with more loyal and satisfied clients backing up your business.

Informational credit to Dr. John F. Steinman, a Barre, VT dentist.