Here are 10 top ways you can demonstrate love for your customers
1. Listen to them better with the right tools
Today you have tools that let you know more about customers than ever. Know what they have shared with the world on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other networks. I like tools such as Hootsuite, Rapportive and particularly Klout to monitor what others are doing.
2. Use Nimble to stay in touch and be organized
Nimble is a tool to manage relationships across a variety of channels, including social media, email and more. You can’t establish, build and maintain relationships with thousands from memory alone! Nimble is an example of a tool that helps you stay on top of commitments and make a difference.
3. Use gift cards
These simple things can make a world of difference. Pay attention to the places your customers frequent and pick up a gift card. A $5 or $10 investment can go a long way in your relationship marketing.
4. Remember important dates and events
Program those important dates into your relationship management package so you can send something to celebrate. Phrases like “Here’s a picture of our wonderful time last year in Dallas. I’m still thinking about it!” can go a long way to keep the relationship alive. And yes, take more pictures!
5. Send a handwritten note
In an age of so much email, social media, texting and other electronics, sometimes a personalized handwritten note makes all the difference in the world.
6. Send pictures
We are largely a visual society. We love to see pictures of people. Make it your mission to take a lot of pictures — particularly of people. Then develop systems on how you can use those pictures to deliver wonderful memories to others. Yes, do this electronically, but don’t forget the value of an occasional printed and framed picture.
7. Give them social media juice!
Find out what important people are doing on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and others. Then be sure to tell the world about the good they are doing. Remember this is social media, not spam media or selling media. Connect with people on a warm, genuine, human basis and you will reap rich benefits.
8. Make important introductions
One of the best, and most useful, contributions you can make to someone is to introduce them to one of your contacts so that both parties can benefit. This requires thinking about who could help each other best.
9. Send an Eyejot video
This is a fabulous free tool that I consider one of the best marketing and productivity enhancers I’ve ever seen. Send a video email to people and they will know it is you, not a form letter. It is a very personal way to stay in touch and enhance the relationship.
10. Make ’em say “WOW!”
Australian marketing guru Winston Marsh is known for encouraging people to make customers say “WOW!” Let the losers do the minimum that is expected. Find ways that you can extend benefits to important people and make them say “WOW!”
These steps, and others like them, can help you to stand out in a favorable way on Feb. 14 and throughout the year.
