Over years, studies consistently suggest that customers' vote with their feet when confronted with poor service. I call this silent vote because you don't know customer is gone until it's too late. Most likely after he begins purchasing from your competitor. These same studies state that a direct correlation exists between business shift and depth of your business relationship. In other words, less you know about your customer, higher probability and faster he will turn to your competitor when he has problems. And most business people know it takes more money and effort to get a new customer then to retain an old one. Therefore, finding ways to strengthen bond you have with each existing customer will pay dividends time and again.

Customers tend to remember conversations from non-selling people. Sales people still have a slight stigma attached to them. However, when customers know more people within a company it gives them a ‘cozy' feeling and provides added flexibility to communicate problems before turning into lost business. An on-going customer calling program is an easy and effective way to add more glue to customer-company relationship.

Down in New Orleans, they have a wonderful word: "lagniappe" (LAN-yap). It means getting a valuable extra at no extra charge, sort of like 14 donuts for price of a dozen. You should find ways to give your customer more value. Talking with him on a regular basis will make your company standout. In today's fiercely competitive world giving a customer more than they expect is a sure way of retaining him for future business.

Start your executives calling customers today. The value proposition is immense!

Frank Williams is a marketer and astute businessman. With many post graduate courses in management, leadership, marketing and technology to his credit, Williams is a widely respected speaker, author and technologist. He is the founder and CEO of Global Marketing, Inc. - a leader in business, marketing and sales consulting

It's important that you stay on cutting edge of anything and everything that appeals to your niche. Everyone wants 'the inside line' to latest trends, and those on horizon ... it's up to you to deliver.

Include these five tips in your niche marketing plan, and I'm sure you'll see positive results. ;)

For in depth discussion on niche marketing, and more, visit IM4Newbies Forum - < http://www.im4newbies.com/forum/ >

Regards,

Mike Merz Internet Marketing For Newbies LLC

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