If you are a business owner, acquiring new customers and making sure that you are offering the best service you can shouldn’t be your only priority. Apart from that, striving to establish strong relationships with customers can be just as important when it comes to the well-being of your company. Establishing connections while providing high-quality services will make customers loyal to your brand. They might return to do business with you again. They might also refer other people to your business. And when you are running a small(er) business, you are in a great position to maintain such connections. With that in mind, we’ve prepared this guide on 5 best ways to establish strong connections with customers. Here’s what you can do:
- Ensure open and honest communication
- Work on the quality of your offer
- Make use of movers’ digital marketing tools at your disposal
- Approach customers as individuals and not a whole
- Reward loyal customers
Communication is key when you need to establish strong connections with customers
Whether you want to know how to increase customer base or how to keep the customers you have already done business with, one of the most important terms is – communication. Establishing connections with your clients means that they are likely to communicate feedback to you. What did they like about your company, and what do they think should be improved?
However, before you can expect them to openly communicate with you, you have to communicate with them. Thus, you need to show a genuine interest in what they have to say. Remember, customers’ opinions are vital if you are looking to run a successful business. So, if you try talking to them and listening carefully to what they have to say, this will both enhance your relationship and provide you with directions in which you can improve the quality of your service.
This not only applies to you, but to your employees as well. Emphasize the importance of proper communication so that your employees understand that this is something they will need to have in mind. Instruct them to return emails and voicemail messages on time. If your customers don’t feel important, they are likely to take their business elsewhere.
Keep improving the quality of your service
Constantly improving the quality of your service will surely help you establish strong connections with customers. At the end of the day, it is precisely the quality of your service that will make or break your business. And if you keep surprising your customers with the said quality, they are likely to keep doing business with your company instead of going to the competition the next time. It is no secret that one of the best ways to advertise a business is by positive word of mouth.
As things can always be improved, it is unlikely that you will find yourself in a position when you don’t know what you could possibly improve. And if that does happen, then we are sure you won’t have any problems with establishing strong connections with customers.
Use digital communication tools to your advantage
With the advent of technology, dealing with customers has received another layer. Nowadays, communication shouldn’t only happen in life. Instead, you should use digital communication tools as well. Social media is a great place to connect with your clients. While doing so, however, remember that pitching a sale is not your top priority in this case. Rather, you’re looking to connect with your customers, so ask questions and answer all inquiries in a timely manner.
Apart from that, there’s website value to consider as well. If you’re not sure whether your company’s website has a high value, or whether it is communicating all the important information in an adequate manner, you can work with a specialized company in order to come up a truly satisfying website. Taking the time to find your customers online, making sure that they’re satisfied with your service, and running an excellent website are all indispensable tools in the digital age.
Approach customers as individuals to establish strong connections with customers
Instead of viewing your clients from an entire business perspective, you will need to treat them as individuals rather than as a part of a homogeneous mass. In practice, there are several convenient ways for you to show that they personally matter to your business. For starters, you can call them by their first name. Of course, you shouldn’t do this right away. However, work toward being close enough with them that calling them by their first-name won’t be seen as an impolite thing to do.
To get to such a level of connection, you will need to remember their previous dealings with your company. With this information, you can tailor your service to specific customers as soon as they contact you again. And, once you are done doing business with them for the time being, don’t forget to send them a thank-you card. Doing so will make your customers feel appreciated (which is, hopefully, true).
Reward your loyal customers
Finally, there are also gifts to help you establish strong connections with customers and to show that you care. Loyalty discounts programs can be very helpful in this sense. When buying products or hiring services from your company, your clients can collect points. Once they have gathered enough points, they will earn a discount, for example, on the next purchase they make.
But, there is no reason to stop at discounts. You can also surprise them with some merchandise bearing your logo and the motifs associated with your business. These items can be more (t-shirts, hats) or less (notepads, pens) expensive. The cost of making t-shirts, for example, won’t amount to much when the amount of loyalty instilled in your customers is taken into consideration. They will most likely feel that you value both them personally and their business. Consequentially, they won’t choose another company, but they will return to do business with you again.
Final thoughts
With all that said, perhaps the most important rule to follow in order to establish strong connections with customers is not the one that can be learned. Rather, you will need to genuinely care and honestly be interested in your customers. If you are not honest, then your clients will likely see through the act. Connecting with customers should be similar to connecting with anyone else. If you show honest interest, respect, and appreciation, then you are already halfway there. Good luck!
