(1) Ask them for feedback on your newsletter or ezine content.

(2) What topics are they interested in learning more about?

(3) How can you help them to be more successful, happier, etc?

(4) Find out what they want and who they are

And in all three cases — Clients/Customers, Rejecters, and Prospects — if it seems appropriate, ask for a little information about who they are. Age, gender, profession, where they live, how much they typically spend in your product or service category.

This will help you get a better understanding of your target audience and you'll know if you're attracting kind of people you thought would be interested in your product or service. And if you need to change your marketing strategy to reach a different audience, or to perhaps change your target audience.

It will help you better serve them

The more you can learn about your prospects and customers better you can serve them. And more effectively you can market to them.

You may be in for a surprise

I've had clients tell me they thought they knew why people were buying from them until they asked. And what they heard surprised and shocked them.

Very often what you hear can help you zero-in on a Unique Selling Proposition that you never thought of. And because it came from mouths of your customers you know it is compelling and effective.

Don't change everything based on a few opinions

My only caution is if you only have a handful of customers or prospects to survey, don't make any major changes or decisions until you are able to validate your findings among a larger group of people.

Or at least test any changes you do make before making a final decision to overhaul your entire business or marketing plan. Common sense is rule here. Just use your own good judgment and don't over-react to comments made by only a handful of people.

You can ask in a number or ways - Choose what works for you

There are any number of ways to collect research from your prospects and customers. You can telephone them, email them, mail them a written questionnaire, or you can meet with them in a group (called a focus group) to collect their opinions.

You can be as formal or informal as you feel comfortable. Typically larger number of clients you survey, more formal survey. If you have only a handful of people to talk to, simply pick up phone and call them.

Don't be afraid to ASK

Don't be afraid to ask for opinions on your products or services or how you can serve your clients better. What you find out could be extremely valuable in helping you to build and grow your business.

Don't forget to say "thank you"

You will also want to consider offering an incentive to encourage your prospects and clients to participate or respond. A bonus, such as a special report, or a discount on a future purchase is a nice way to show your appreciation for them taking time to respond to your survey.

(C) 2005 Debbie LaChusa

Register for and read free newsletters, ezines and special reports so you can get a feel for how they are written. There is so much information available via web; take advantage of it.

Until you perfect your writing skills, always have someone else proofread and edit what you have written. They will catch things that you miss. They will tell you if something is unclear or confusing.

It's even a good idea to keep this up once you get good. Proofreading and editing your own work is difficult. And typos and mistakes don't reflect well on you or your business.

So if necessary, hire someone to do your writing until you learn or improve your skills. But do acquire skills. Strong writing and communication skills will always benefit you in business and in life, so it will definitely be time well spent.

(C) 2005 Debbie LaChusa