Business Follow-up Strategies

You can have the best marketing plan in the world, run fabulous ads, obtain top listing with internet search engines, and generate thousands of click to your website, but if you don't have a follow-up strategy, it may be all for naught. Follow-up is every bit as important as marketing. If you do not follow-up and then follow-through with the strategies you have already put into place, you may achieve some degree of success, but you will not be as successful as you could be.

So what is follow-up? It is as simple as responding to telephone calls, emails, inquiries and, yes, complaints. Unless you are a new business, you will have a certain amount of complaints.

After follow-up, you need to follow-through. Begin by realizing that you will not obtain the results you want from everyone you speak with about the products or your business opportunity. In addition, you need to understand that nothing can do as much damage as poor customer support. Whether it is a new recruit, your next-door neighbor or an internet customer, they have needs that you will have to identify and address.

A customer's needs may be as simple as receiving notification when a new product is available or is on sale. A distributor may require assistance with identifying the most effective marketing techniques, developing a business plan, and emotional/moral support. Make a concerted effort to ensure your new distributors that you are there to support them and train them as they grow their businesses. If there are not any problems, if they aren't asking for help, that is wonderful! Nevertheless, letting them know that you are always available sends the message to your downline and customers that you are there for them ALL of the time. Nothing drives sells and recruiting like personal referrals. Happy customers are return customers that happily refer others to your business, so make your number one priority be that of providing outstanding customer support and you will keep your downline and customers happy.

We have established that satisfied clients are your greatest assets, so take the time to ask them to share the good news with others. Ask for a testimonial about your products or business opportunity. Their passion will leave others with the impression that the company's products and business opportunity offer things that they cannot afford to pass up. One thing to remember though, a great testimonial is a double-edged sword. If you do not follow through with promises and expectations, a dissatisfied customer or distributor can do a lot of damage to your reputation and your business. You can avoid this by being attentive and following through, not only while you are in the sales process, but after the sell as well.

Use the follow-up strategies below to help reach your goals:

1) Prospecting Thank You Notes

Following the initial appointment with a potential customer, a thank-you note should be mailed immediately, regardless of whether you recruited a distributor or made a sale. If possible, handwritten notes personalized for each customer will make the greatest impression. Always include a business card, even if you left one with them previously. If you prefer an electronic card, we have a great selection to choose from a large selection at a number of online greeting card sites: www.bluemountain.com, www.123greetings.com, www.hallmark.com, www.americangreetings.com.

2) Follow-up Phone Calls or Emails

Even though you sent a note or greeting card, you still need to follow-up with your customers and ask them how they like your product or if they have any questions. This not only provides good customer service, it also obtains feedback about your product. By listening to your customers, you will know exactly what they want, if they are having problems, and how you can develop a better relationship with them and future clients.

3) Customer Support

In order to develop a profitable relationship with your customers, you must provide them with quality customer service. Let them know that, should they have any questions or problems, they are free to contact you. Provide them with all of your contact information to make the process simple. Even if you cannot personally assist them, make sure that you have a good customer support group ready to help. Reply to their support requests as quickly as possible and assist them until the problem is resolved to their satisfaction. Often, just asking, "What can I do to make things right?" is all that is necessary to come to a satisfactory resolution.