If you include each of these 5 things, and you provide solution-oriented offers to current needs and desires of your target audience, you’ll not only distinguish yourself from other service professionals, you’ll lay foundation for ongoing web-based success.

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What often surprises people is how simple this can be. The challenge for many people seems to be staying with a system.

It’s like any habit, it has to be cultivated. When someone initially contacts your company make sure to input their name and contact information into your database. Send some type of a follow up regardless of whether or not they make a purchase. This can be done through phone calls, email or standard mailings.

Here are a few recommendations that can be an effective part of any business system. These suggestions will help build a consistent flow of business throughout year.

If, and when, you experience a slow period in your day, utilize time to call clients/customers in your database. Recently I stopped into a pet store located in Salt Lake valley. The groomer was frustrated because several people had made appointments for that day and failed to show up. Her clients may not realize if they don’t show she doesn’t make money.

The groomer told me she got more discouraged as day progressed. I asked if there was a system in place to assure a higher rate of clients keeping their appointment. As I suspected, there wasn’t. My suggestions were as follows:

1. Require a 25 - 50% deposit when an appointment is set. No shows forfeit deposit. It will only take once before people realize they need to be certain when setting appointment. A simple explanation to someone who doesn’t want to put a deposit down should take care of situation. Consider this - if someone refuses to give a deposit are they going to be a good pay when they get full amount to pay? You may want to consider carefully before you do business with them.

2. A day or two before appointment call customer giving a friendly reminder. This one strategy will realize a dramatic increase in people keeping their appointment.

3. After appointment, send a thank you card to pet in c/o owner. This is not a common practice, so groomer will be seen as someone who cares about customer’s pet rather than someone who simply provides a grooming service. By sending card to pet you add humor that makes groomer stand out and owner may show card to his or her friends because it is so unique.

4. When time allows, pull out past and current client lists. Make as many calls as possible. Use dialogue such as, “Hi Mary, I notice that Max is due for a grooming. We tend to get very busy this time of year and I want to make sure you are able to get an appointment. Can we go ahead and book Max for his grooming right now? Great, let me go ahead and get your credit card number so we can take care of your deposit on that. Thanks and see you on _____.”

These communication techniques can work for you, regardless of your business. Think of how you can apply these simple tools to your business.

In these changing times, it is up to you to be as flexible and creative as possible. Take advantage of every opportunity to keep in touch with your customers and clients. You will be amazed at bottom-line results. Results that are a result of people remembering you and your company name.

Are you looking for effective systems to increase your revenues? Kathleen Gage can help you do just that. As the top rated keynote speaker and home based business owner for 2004 in the state of Utah, Kathleen Gage invites you to get her FR*EE Report “Learn How a Salt Lake City base consultant made over $100,000 from one idea” at www.streetsmartsmarketing.com