Great Ideas for your Small Business:
Get to Know Your Customers Personally
One of the benefits of owning a small business is being able to get to know your customers, suppliers, and vendors. When you meet people, jot down a few personal notes on the back of their business cards or on Rolodex cards. Ask for their birthdate, fam- ily members, pets, and club memberships.
We all like to do business with people who treat us well and seem genuinely interested in what we do and say. When you know someone’s birthday, send a card. It’s a cheap and wonderful way to keep in touch.
What better way to nurture loyalty than to create a person- al connection—it’s important for customers to want to do business with you. That little bit of extra effort can go a long way toward solidifying a long-term contract.
Send handwritten notes to customers and clients when- ever possible. The most successful, important people I know put this into practice, and it makes a tremendous, positive impression. One of my busiest friends—a person who has one of the top jobs in the country—sent me a one- or two- line note at least once a month. His notes meant a lot and always brightened my day. Of course, I responded with a handwritten note!
So spend the time it takes to make that personal connection. It’s worth the effort.