By Corinne Hayward
In today’s world, there are so many businesses out there doing what you do, so why should customers choose yours? People are more likely to choose a company that is going to connect with them on a personal level. That’s why you need to know how (and where) to talk to your customers. Here are 8 ways to talk to and reach your customers:
1. Ask Your Customers What They Want
The best way to know what your customers want is to ask them. They know what they’re looking for, so by talking to them, you can tailor your approach to fit their needs. Surveys are great tools for getting feedback. Keep them brief and allow space for customers to write in comments. There are several good free survey tools available. Learn more here.
2. Offer a Loyalty Program
Everyone likes to feel valued, so give your customers a chance to feel appreciated. Loyalty programs encourage return business and promotions are a great way to bring in new customers. Learn how to start your own.
3. Connect on Social Media
Social media allows for a level of business-to-customer connection that didn’t used to be an option. Adding a personal aspect to your business’ social media profiles allows your customers to see the people behind the business. People like to connect with other people, so by letting customers see who you are, instead of just what you do, you can remind them that you are the face behind your business. It’s not an easy task, but it can be extremely worth your while. Learn ways to engage your customers through social media.
4. Don’t Leave Your Customers on Hold
Your time is valuable, and so is your customers’ time. If they’ve given you their time, you should respect that. While it may be necessary to put your customers on hold from time to time, remember that your goal is to make their experience with you as positive as possible, so don’t waste their time with unnecessary hold time. Here are some great suggestions for how to put your customers on hold in a professional manner.
5. Speak to Your Customers Like They Matter
Remember the Golden Rule? Your customers are real people, treat them the way you’d like to be treated. Talk to them as people, not just money to be made or problems to be solved. They need to know that you want to help them, and they’re not just another item on your to-do list. Learn how to talk to your customers like they matter or risk losing them.
6. Make Customer Service a Priority
If someone leaves you a message, call them back. If someone writes a comment on your site or on Yelp, respond as soon as you can. If there is a problem with a product or service you’ve provided, fix the problem and apologize for the inconvenience. You want your customers to want to do business with you, and the best way to do that is to respond to what they are saying to you. Learn these exceptional customer service tips, strategies, and ideas.
7. Ask Customers for Reviews
If you’ve built a good relationship with your customers, they are often willing to write a review for you. By asking, it shows that you value their opinion. It also is a great way to bring in new customers. Here are some great tips for asking your customers for reviews.
8. Make Your Contact Information Easy to Find
This may seem like a simple tip, but it’s amazing how often websites “hide” their contact information. If your customers want to get in touch with you, don’t make them work for it. Have a very clear Contact page and/or contact information on each page of your website. If customers can’t easily figure out how to reach you, they might go elsewhere. Don’t make that the reason you lose a customer.
Whether it’s face to face, on social media, or via email, if you engage with your customers where they are, you’ll find that they respond to your genuine and sincere efforts to communicate and stay in touch.
