How to Grow Your Business with a Smile

3 August 2018

The best growth strategy starts with customer service.

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We’ve all heard about marketing tricks, sales hacks, and digital strategies. But did you know that the best way to grow your business is to make sure that your customers are happy with your products and their relationship with you?

Here are five tips for making sure that your customer service leads to more repeat customers and more referrals.

1. Smile.

No secret here: smiling at your customers and giving them your undivided attention shows that you care about them. People want to be valued, and they want to feel important. Being warm and attentive removes barriers and builds trust.

2. Listen.

Let your customers express frustrations. Don’t react. We all want to strike back when we feel attacked; we have to learn to resist this urge. One angry customer will broadcast negative messages about your business to many people. Even if you think the customer’s complaint is not valid, hear it through, apologize, treat them with respect, and make it right. Offer a discount on their next purchase or give them a gift card. When you show empathy for your customers, they think highly of you and your business.

3. Remember the names of your customers.

Get really good at memorizing the names of your customers. It seems like a small thing, but think about it: when someone uses your name, you feel like they respect you.

4. Deliver on time and exceed expectations.

This begins by setting realistic expectations, and then exceeding them. If your customer is buying shoes, throw in an extra pair of laces or shoe polish. If you are a contractor remodeling a room, clean your workspace each night before you leave. Be a few minutes early to meetings. Little things leave big impressions. A thank-you note goes a long way. An invoice with a treat makes the relationship sweeter.

5. Make a great first impression.

We’ve all heard this, and the reason it’s last is because the way to do it is by following the first four tips:

  • Smile.
  • Listen.
  • Remember the names of your customers.
  • Deliver on time and exceed expectations.

It also helps to keep your appearance tidy, no matter your occupation. This shows you care about your work.