4 Tried and True Techniques To Create Loyal, Life-Long Customers

Let's be honest... everybody knows that people are in business to make money.  Yeah, customer's know you've got our eyes set on making a profit, but they still want to believe that you are in business for more than just their money.  Do your customers know that you really care about them?  Here are 4 "tried and true" techniques to show them you care.

1.  Be Personal
I recently walked into a well-known store and spoke with a salesperson who really seemed to have it going on.  I felt pretty good about the interaction, until I walked away and heard him reciting the same spiel he had just used with me moments earlier. 

Customers are looking for personal one-on-one recognition.  In this automated world, they are used to feeling like just a number, and crave to have real interaction.  Take the time to discover their lifestyle before you try to sell them a one-size-fits-all product.  Think about the ways the product will benefit THEM.

You'll find that there are pockets of people with similar interests and needs.  Hey, that's the perfect opportunity to customize your sales campaign to the needs of different market niches. 

2.  Look Out For The Customer
Sure, you've sat and listened to boring sales speaches that went on and on about every feature, aspect and guarantee a product had to offer.  Yeah, BORING!  Customers don't give a hoot about the specific details and credentials of you and your product nearly as much as they want to know how it will benefit them. 

Make sure your advertisements on the Web, sales letters, and other promotions point out the advantages to the customer.  Keep the focus on them.  How will the modern features make life easier?  How will your credentials make you better equipped to help them?

3.  Stay in Contact
There are a lot of customers who don't buy on the first visit.  Sure, there are a fair number of impulsive shoppers, but not everyone shells out the bucks the first time the idea pops into their head to make a purchase.  Wise shoppers take a little time to consider it first.

What happens in the meantime?  Well, that depends on you.  Do you follow up regularly with customers?  Give them a little additional information each time, and build a relationship of trust.  Before long, you'll have a loyal customer spreading the word about your business.

Internet marketers need to devise ways of getting email addresses to use for follow-up strategies.  Free newsletters and complimentary reports are perfect for opening the door for future communications.

4.  Be "Question Friendly"
Nothing says, "I really care," like taking the time to thoroughly answer a question - no matter how small.  Think of it this way... a customer who is asking questions is considering the possibility of making a purchase.  Hey, it might not be today or tomorrow, but someday you'll reap the benefits of the time you spend answering their questions.

Is it easy for your customers to ask a question?  Now, I'm not talking about calling an automated answering service that you spend 25 minutes pushing buttons and end up back at the main menu.  Can they ask questions, and get personal answers? 

Always provide a phone number where a person can be reached, or an email address that someone will personally answer.  You can save a lot of time by posting a frequently asked question page, where they can find answers without the effort of making contact. 

Assuring customers of their importance is one of the greatest ways to make loyal, life-long customers.

3 Elements That Make Your Ad Successful

When was the last time you bought a car?  Did you really NEED a car?  I mean REALLY need a car?  Chances are the one you were driving was still running when you bought the car you have now.  Yep, Americans rarely buy because they need... they buy because they want to experience the feeling that comes with buying.

We enjoy new purchases.  Sure, we can convince ourselves that we really needed a new one, but if we're totally honest we'll have to admit that would could've got by without it.  What does this mean to your advertising campaign?

1.  State The Benefits Of Your Product or Service
 Capitalize on the ways a customer will improve his lifestyle by making the purchase.  Will he increase his own business profits by 50 percent?  Say so in the opening statement of your sales letter, or at the top of your Web page.

Don't obsess with the features of the product itself or your credibility.  Frankly, customers could care less.  Let's face it... they're a bit selfish when it comes to dishing out their hard earned money.  All they want to know is what's in it for them.

2.  Paint Word Picture That Let Them Experience the Benefits
"Wake up tomorrow, with no boss!  You can spend the day with your family or on the golf course... there's nobody to tell you what to do."

A Multi Level Marketer may want his audience to feel the freedom of having no one to answer to if they become successful in the business.  He'll dramatize that desire, and put the listener in the seat to inspire it to take hold until the listener is ready to sign up and get started.

3.  Inspire Immediate Action
Hey, let's face it... the longer a customer lolly gags, the greater the chances he'll never take the plunge.  Don't let him off the hook that easily! 

Set a deadline.  Put on the pressure to buy now, or miss out on the deal.  Chances are pretty good that the procrastinator will get with it just to save a few bucks.

What about your sales materials?  Have you taken a good look at the things you are advertising?  Make sure you are focused on the benefits the consumer will experience from the purchase, and not on the features of the product or service.