Customer Loyalty Requires Customer Relationship Management

The key to a profitable business is customer loyalty. Everything else is secondary. Why is this? Because you will make more money selling over and over again to the same people than you will trying to find new people to buy from you. That is the logic. So how do you build customer loyalty? Here are three things you can try right now.

People like to be remembered. For example, remembering a customer's name will go a long way to winning them over as a repeat buyer. On the other hand, forgetting their name could turn them off. They wouldn't think twice at buying from someone else after that. So, how can you use this simple aspect of human nature to build customer loyalty?

Call or Send a Card on their Birthday

I just had an experience with this today. I saw in my calendar that it was the birthday of a friend of mine. I only sent a simple email wishing him a happy birthday, nothing special. The response I got was one of extreme gratitude. He couldn't believe I remembered his name.

When you are dealing with customers, be sure to be sincere when wishing them a happy birthday. If it at all appears automated, it could really turn them off.

Recognize Anniversaries

Find out the various anniversary events that me be important to your customer, such as their wedding anniversary. Do they have their own business? Find out when their business was established. Send a nice card or make a phone call on these occasions and wish them a happy anniversary. Be sincere and you will build deep customer loyalty as time goes by.

Consumers like convenience. Maybe there will be a time when it is more convenient for your customer to purchase from one of your competitors. This may be nothing against you. It's just a matter of convenience.

On the other hand, if you have established a deeper relationship with them in the ways mentioned above, then they likely would not let something like convince cause them to purchase from one of your competitors. They will wait until they can purchase from you.

Finally, always make a note of the date that a customer first purchases something from you. Then, each year send them a card recognizing the anniversary of your relationship and thanking them for their business.

How many other ways can you think of building customer loyalty by addressing the simple human need in all of your customers to be remembered and recognized?

Get more tips on how to create customer loyaly by contacting loyalcustomers@aweber.com

Learn how other companies create a customer service experience that keeps them coming back.

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