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How To Invest In Your Customers

Forbes San Francisco Business Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Milo Shammas

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As leaders, it's important to invest in the needs of your customers. I, for example, have committed to educating my clients on the life cycle of their food because that's what I know they care about. As my business has grown over the past 28 years, I have recognized the following truths in building a brand while remaining faithful to a customer's needs:

1. Invest in your customers, and they will invest in you. 

Businesses, especially small companies or startups, rely on building brand loyalty and long-term relationships with their customers. It is important to develop an inviting customer experience, whether that be creating an easy way to interact, establishing a turnkey process to navigate your online presence or providing quick responses to any requests or questions. I believe if you are able to create this relationship from the onset, you can create a loyal clientele and gain repeat customers.

Targeted social media postings that engage and appeal to your clients and inspire action from them can also help you cultivate good client relations. Establish a customer service team that is available online via live chat or phone with quick response time. Implementing an immediate, auto-response to email queries outside of business hours is also helpful.

2. Don't sacrifice the quality of your product.

A company cannot exist without margins. The idea is that the selling price should be greater than its cost, but when does the value of profitability undermine the value of a quality product? From running my own business, I've seen that there are often many ways to make products — and to make them cheaply. But what seems to be a cost-effective approach could end up having severe consequences, putting both companies and consumers at risk.

Of course, it is important for a business to keep costs down while remaining focused on creating quality products. Try minimizing your costs in other areas of your business if you have to opt for a more expensive product, such as reusing certain items, choosing lower-priced paper goods and making yourself aware of energy conservation.

3. Educate your consumers.

When you’re selling a product or service and you wish to stand out from the competition, I believe education is part of the game. In my experience, some leaders can become frustrated due to the amount of time that goes into educating clients or customers. But instead, try to see this as an opportunity. Your brand can benefit in many ways from this approach. For example, you have the chance to earn more dedicated customers and become synonymous with the learnings you provide. You can stay top of mind in conversations, well beyond your products.

To assist in the education process, why not create a weekly newsletter or blog to provide tips and advice for using your product or service? Create a forum to invite customer questions and comments, and provide answers to them in a timely manner.

4. Engage, encourage and empathize.

I love nothing more than receiving emails and positive feedback from a happy customer. It’s a steady reminder as to why I do what I do. As business leaders, you probably agree. What you likely will find equally satisfying is when your customers share the success they've had with your product.

No less important, however, is empathizing with an unsatisfied customer. While the goal should always be client satisfaction and resolution, that should mean more than just a refund or store credit. Understanding the customer perspective will ensure that a mistake is not repeated, which can mean more satisfied clients and ultimately better bottom lines.

One way to encourage customers to share their experiences with you is through social media; create a platform for them to post their own stories or experiences by posting updates, sharing photos and using hashtags. You can also send out surveys or emails that encourage your consumers to share their comments or reviews. Reward them with special discounts for providing feedback or signing up for your company’s newsletter.

In my experience, these four tips can help business owners gain an edge on their competition. Most importantly, they can help develop and maintain a stable and robust customer base.

Forbes San Francisco Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners in Greater San Francisco. Do I qualify?