Whether you manage a successful business or you run a selfless non-profit, taking steps to go above and beyond can ensure that your endeavor gets the attention that it deserves. Unfortunately, many businesses will focus on how they can bring new customers in – which is very much needed if you want to draw a profit or keep your non-profit serving people. However, only focusing on new customers all the time, and neglecting your existing customer base, will only leave you at a loss. That is why it is important to devise a strategy that will ensure you are able to go above and beyond for your customers, to run a successful business or non-profit. To help you on your journey, here are some top tips to wow your customers and keep them coming back for more.
Focus on existing customers, as well as new customers
As mentioned above, focusing on existing customers, in addition to attracting new customers, is a really important balance that you should aim to achieve. To do this, you should review how you are treating new customers, versus your existing customers. Many businesses will make the mistake of offering really great incentives to draw in new customers, with perhaps free gifts or large discounts. However, this leaves your existing customers feeling undervalued and underappreciated, and are likely to invest somewhere else, where they will be offered a similar deal. In addition to offering great deals for new customers, you should also consider how you can reward the customers who remain loyal to you. Many businesses achieve this through specialized loyalty programs that offer something unique.
Identify and anticipate needs
Identifying the needs of your customers is something that should be done in any business, from launching your business to day-to-day communications. Identifying customer needs, and how their behaviors and preferences change over time, will enable you to provide the best product and services for them. However, you can go above and beyond for your customers by anticipating their needs. This will help your business or nonprofit be more competitive, and show customers that you care, and that you are leaders in your industry. It can also help you create great products and services and wow your customers, by providing solutions as soon as they need them.
Thank your customers for choosing you
There are hundreds, if not thousands of other businesses or charities that your customers could have chosen, but they have chosen you. Just by thanking your customers, and showing them your appreciation, can go a long way. When customers feel valued, they are more likely to stay with you. They are also likely to tell their friends and family about you if you have gone above and beyond, so you may also be indirectly attracting referral traffic to your business. Unfortunately, many people will only talk about a business if they have done something wrong – it is human nature. However, if you go above and beyond and do something unique for your customers by way of thanking them, they are likely to talk about it, which is great for business. There are many ways that you can do this, for example, by sending out a thank you basket or choosing a handwriting service for nonprofits, who can write special thank you notes to your customer, for a more personal touch.
Get regular feedback and be open to constantly improving
Feedback is an important part of any business. This feedback will enable you to create the right products and services that will best serve your customers. It will also help you to see behavioral trends so you can better identify and anticipate the needs of your customers. Whether it is good feedback or bad, it is vital, as it will give you real-time insights into what is working well for your business, and where improvements can be made. This is a great way to consider your customers and listen to their needs and thoughts. But it isn’t enough to just listen well, you also need to take on board what they are saying, and implement changes that will make a difference to their experience with you. Your business or nonprofit is there to serve them, and they will know best what needs you have to meet with your products and services.
Going above and beyond for your customers will help them feel valued and important. When customers feel this way, they are more likely to support your business and invest in you. Customers are choosing you over competitors, so it is a great way to return the support and keep them coming back for more. Follow these top tips to help you get started.