?? Building Strong Customer Relations

Weekly Business Advice

This week we are talking about engaging and delighting your clients and building customer loyalty. Our expert is? Shayla Blanchard , a serial entrepreneur and a Paralegal who has been a small business owner for 8+ years. Shayla holds a great perspective on and a wealth of experience in business management, customer relations, and everything that comes with wearing many hats.

Building Strong Customer Relations

As a business owner, you’ve probably heard of customer relations. If you ask a marketing person, they’ll tell you this is vital to your business’ success. Think of customer relations as simply, the?relationship with your customers. It’s your business’ process of nurturing positive relationships with customers.?Every part of a client’s journey helps to shape the relationship. Strong customer relations is a perk of a small business. You actually have the ability to connect with your clients on an individual basis, whereas large corporations don’t. I know, you want to know why this matters… Why you can’t offer a service, people purchase from you, then you go about your way. It’s because most new business is gained from word of mouth. To sustain your business, you want repeat clients and new clients. When a person feels connected to you or your brand, they’ll become a recurring client that shares your business with others. People are driven by connectivity. Your business can have more of a lasting impression than a large company. You can provide the ultimate experience by focusing on customer relations.

Know this. Customers will switch brands and even pay more for a better customer experience. Does your brand have strong customer relations? Analyze your client’s journey and consider implementing these things.?

Layout a clear process

If your business is service based, arrange a phone call and email to inform clients of what they can expect. Layout a clear process for every step of their journey. People want to be well informed. Take an extra step to provide clients with thorough information, answering questions before they’re asked.

Provide keepsakes

Give clients something to remember you by, literally. Everyone loves take-home items. Whether it’s a thank you postcard, a cup with your logo on it, or a t-shirt; clients need a tangible item to help them think of you. Giving clients a gift plays on their emotions, making them feel appreciated and cared about. Your gift giving can be incorporated as a rewards program with a threshold attached to it.?

Take the extra step

Give your clients a follow up call. It really makes clients feel special when you reach out to them for a brief follow up. Ask them how they feel, what they thought, and if they need anything from you. The fact that you took time out of your day to?call them, really speaks volumes. A phone call is more personable than an email. This is often a nice surprise to clients who aren’t expecting to hear from you.

Be creative

Ask yourself, “As a consumer, what kind of experience would I enjoy?” Be creative in implementing things into your customers' journey. Which companies are you familiar with that perform client relations well? One of our own,?Felicia Reed Photography, offers an excellent customer experience. Included with a photo shoot is a pre-session conference, a follow up conference, delivery and unboxing of your printed photos, and day of lunch. As a client, I also received an anniversary gift. There are other things included with her service, but these are great examples of things that build a strong customer relationship. She’s built a brand on consideration of her clients. As a result, people trust her.?

More about Shayla

A serial entrepreneur and a Paralegal, Shayla is the owner of?S. Cheriece Luxury Picnic Events, co-owner of?MPOWR?Basketball Training, and co-founder of?Tavarus Blanchard Foundation. Shayla has been able to build a community through connectivity and focusing on fulfillment of herself and others. Allow Shayla to create a fulfilling space for you through a luxury picnic event.?

Book my picnic

Shayla's Events

Attend Shayla's elegant networking picnics or couple's picnics to fully enjoy the velvety weather of the fall in Austin and connect with the local community and like-minded individuals. S. Cheriece Luxury Picnics is all about creating a place for you to delight in. Attend one of the scheduled events or book your own custom picnic.

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