How to Grow Your Business Through Great Customer Treatment

Your customers are wonderful. Without them, your business wouldn't exist. From time to time, shouldn't you thank the people that keep your business running? By doing just a few small things, you can impress your clients, and extend their business relationship with you.

Be a Face with a Name (or Voice)
Depending on what type of business you run, your customers may not ever see or hear from you. You may be just a series of emails. There is nothing to create a real relationship with in an email. Reach out to your clients by calling them just to check in on an order, or stop by their office, if you live locally. By showing that you care enough to make time to speak with them, your clients feel important. And clients who feel important keep buying from you.

Add a Special Touch to Every Order
You don't have to have a big budget to show you care about your customers. Add a little something extra to an order, anything from adding a simple handwritten "Thanks for your order" note from you to throwing in a lollipop to get a smile out of the recipient. Little actions like these can keep you at the front of your customers' minds for their next order.

If you have a conversation or interview with a potential client, always follow up immediately with a notecard. Thank the individual for taking the time to meet with you, express your interest in working together, and add a personal note you may have touched on in your conversation ("I hope your son won that Little League tournament!"). This shows you are sincere, and that you pay attention.

Splurge for Holidays
Everyone loves getting presents…as long as they're not blatant advertisements for your company. Find out your client's birthday, and surprise them with a flower or cookie bouquet. For holidays, pick out something nice like gourmet sweets or wine. Never, EVER send a product catalog or otherwise pitch your product. Clients are people, not just profit for you, and they like to be treated as such. If you impress them, orders will follow.

Giving your customers VIP treatment is key to the success of your company. That little extra something might be the one element that your competitor didn't have, resulting in you getting more business. Treat every one of your customers like your only customer, and they'll be sure to spread the word to others about what a great company you run.