Three Simple Keys Will Make Your Customers Stick

Do you spend a lot of time and energy courting prospective new customers, hoping to pump up your bottom line? If so, you're probably missing an untapped source of sales that exists right inside your company -- there's truth in the statement that your customer list is your most valuable asset.

There's a gold mine of opportunities to make easier sales and create a loyal following of customers that will return time and again by using your existing customer base to grow your sales. But when I ask small business owners what action they are taking to keep in touch with current customers, the answer is normally "we don't."

How do you turn a pile of dusty invoices and sales receipts into profit generators for your business? How can you create loyal customers who will return time and again to increase your small business bottom line? There are three keys to creating customer loyalty.

  • Know Who They Are. Do you? Compile and maintain a list of your customers. Track their habits. Monitor your list so you know when they are doing business with you differently. Then ask why.

  • Know What They're Worth. I overheard a remark the other day. It was, "Oh, that lady. I barely pay attention to her. She comes in twice a week, but only spends about five dollars. What a waste of my time." Have you had the same thought about any of your customers? Before you dismiss the customer that only spends five dollars, take a look at her long-term value. How often does she purchase over time? How many people does she refer to you that have the same spending habits? A $5 customer can really be worth over $50,000 in the long term and should be treated like a queen.

  • Take Action. Your customers are busy people. They need to be reminded that you exist and how you can eliminate their pain (wants or needs). Have you ever received mail from a company and decided to save it so you could "check them out later?" Then you find that piece of mail in your "to do" stack months later and realize you never contacted them. Your customers do that too. You have to remind them. Often. Customer loyalty is not rocket science. But it does take consistent effort. Over 90% of small business owners are letting money walk out the door of their business each and every day. Are you one of them?

    Denise O'Berry helps small business owners take action to grow their business. To find out more, visit http://www.deniseoberry.com

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Heres A Robust, Turnkey, Interactive. Best of Breed, Mission-Critical Solution to Kill Buzzwords

    Fellow Publicity Insiders, what does... Read More

    How to Set Up & Organize Your Customer Mailing List For Optimum Results

    Your list of customers who have previously bought from you... Read More

    Advertising Your Private Practice: Beware of the Problems-Part 1

    One of the biggest mistakes coaches, counselors and other healing... Read More

    Top 10 Ways to Create and Manage Opportunity

    Most of us are used to the concepts of risk... Read More

    Break Even On Your Next Direct Mail Campaign...And Still Generate Huge Profits

    With direct mail, you can break even and still claim... Read More

    The Top 10 The Top Ten Signs That Your Marketing Message Needs a Facelift

    Is your marketing plan dull, flat, and downright boring? Is... Read More

    Marketing 101: The Power of Marketing

    When you hear the word "marketing" what comes to mind?... Read More

    Money-Makers Secrets to Renting Profitable Mailing Lists

    As an entrepreneur involved in selling and/or promotion... Read More

    Online Magazine Subscription Services Make Shopping Online Fun For Magazines

    If recreating the old experience of subscribing to magazines by... Read More

    How To Sell To Howard Stern... Oprah Winfrey... And Paul McCartney!

    Do you know what Howard Stern... Oprah Winfrey... and Paul... Read More

    Networking Basics Turn Yourself Into A Profit Making Giant

    I would like to introduce you to one of my... Read More

    Mortgage Marketing and Advertising ? The Magical Ingredient

    Do you offer superior service, consistently close loans on time... Read More

    Sage Advice from a Marketing Expert!

    An international hair-cutting chain opened a new store directly across... Read More

    CRM System: Give Meaning to Your Data

    A customer relationship system (CRM) system uses technologically-driven strategies to... Read More

    Strategic Marketing and Tactical Marketing Know The Differences And Profit

    Most people mistakenly assume that when you talk about marketing,... Read More

    Top Four Marketing Secrets of Building a Professional Practice

    Building a coaching or consulting practice can be rewarding and... Read More

    Sowing and Growing Your Network

    The N-word! We all know the value of networking and... Read More

    Funnel Your Way to Marketing Success

    A funnel is a good way to think of the... Read More

    Take My Commitment (to Your Biz) Quiz!

    Starting and managing a successful small business takes time, energy,... Read More

    What Our CAT Taught Me About Marketing!

    Toby is one of our two family pets (both cats).... Read More

    Marketing Planning Made Simple - Another Small Business Power Tool

    Marketing planning must be really difficult and complex, otherwise why... Read More

    Stretch Your Marketing Reach

    One of the most cost effective marketing strategies you can... Read More

    Whats Your Marketing Weak Link?

    Your marketing weak link could be undermining the rest of... Read More

    The M-Word

    It was a real eye-opener to hear the perceptions people... Read More

    Meaning and Marketing - The Trigger

    In previous articles under "Meaning and Marketing", we have learned... Read More

    Four Super-Deadly Marketing Sins - And How To Fix Them

    It seems nowadays every marketing guru and their brother-in-law has... Read More

    Use The Neglected Weapons In Your Marketing Arsenal

    Business marketers have a lot of weapons in their arsenals... Read More

    Business Leads

    Anyone who runs their own business can tell you how... Read More

    Mortgage Marketing - How to Find Your Niche

    Ann Landers, Dr. Phil and Roger Ebert take pleasure in... Read More

    Top 7 Tips for New Businesses

    The marketing decisions you make for your new business are... Read More

    Viral Marketing with a Powerful Twist

    What would you do with 500, 1000 or more additional... Read More

    How To Market A Seminar

    Have you ever left a seminar thinking: "I could have... Read More

    Measuring the Return on Your Direct Mail Investment

    In direct mail lore, there's a rule stating that you... Read More