Why do salespeople, entrepreneurs, and business owners fail to make sales, fail to generate referrals, and lose clients? The reason is a lack of follow-up. Now, follow-up can fall into several categories. Let’s look at your own customers, and then we will look at prospects.
I have heard many business people say, “I just don’t understand why my customers chose to do business with someone else. I did everything right.” I then ask them, “When was the last time your customer heard from you? “ The answer is usually, “Well, umm….errrr.” The same has been said in many instances for a prospect that chose to do business with a competitor.
The relationship between a customer and a business is much like a dating relationship. There are certain things that you don’t do on the first date…and if you do, you may be risking the relationship down the road. There are also certain things that you should do if you want to cultivate the relationship. For example, a phone call now and then to say you are thinking of them, a thoughtful note from time to time, or an unexpected gift can all lead to a deeper relationship.
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Every great profit maximizing company has become masterful at getting its clients EVERYTHING they can possibly need or want in relation to their products or services. These companies do not leave money on the table or things to be desired from their clients.
Less than 5% of the population owns a business. So, as a small business owner, you have risen above the ranks of the masses… you’ve worked hard and sacrificed too. You’re already a winner, and that is something worth celebrating. The consequences of winning or losing in business either sweeten or poison everything you do and have in life.
Top 500 Keywords In The Last 48 Hours
Saturday, February 13th, 2010Small Business Trend Information #3
It is easier to sell with a trend rather than against it. Take a look at the top 500 keywords searched in the last 48 hours and see if there are any trends, topics, or marketing ploys that you can derive from perusing the following 500 “hot” terms.
As a starter set, here were some of the 500 that I thought were interesting:
18. haggle auction
189. auctions
257. texas auctions
267. foreclosure auctions
Lots of auctions: have to sell, free entertainment, a place to meet people
215. ebay motors – what’s next, e-bay home dental
53. home depot – people hanging on to houses, fixing them up themselves; how else can you help these people save money
60. southwest airlines – by far the most clicks of airlines; what are they doing that you as a small business need to do?
64. craigs list
68. dogpile
74. www.elkware.com
271. lobby.com
What are these?
221. drudge report (small company) – only news entities ahead of it are msn.com and Fox News
111. coloring books
345. coloring pages
Is there a subset of children that are tiring of computer games?
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Tags: indianapolis small business, Trends
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