Tips to Get Your Clients to Trust and Like You

You may have wondered what exactly does that mean or you've thought networking is great but what really is it going to do for me. The term networking is key and it is so important. You may think I'm just an internet marketing company what will networking do for me? Or you think I do SEO tools and write programs shouldn't I network with computers. Well yes but not exactly. Business is built on relationships and people. You can't forget the reason that you got into the business because you were passionate about it and you found a need where others couldn't. You founded your organization based on your passions and what you wanted to share with your future clients, whatever your business is you know you are the one that can provide the best service, the best value and the best product. Now the trick is to get and keep clients, and have them trust and like you and your brand. How do you do this?
1. Jump in and make a splash!
The first part of your project is key to building a successful relationship. In the first stages of the project the client will how you respond to them and also how you will be handling their account. Make this time count. This time also helps you to understand your client and how they would like their account handled. Try sending your new clients a note to explain what you need from them and what you will be providing so they understand expectations and a time frame. Try to create a spread sheet with issues that you want to tackle and handle throughout the project, making a reasonable time line for you and your client to adhere to. Make notes and ask your client to make notes and always include a solution section so that you both understand what is needed.
Why they will adore you: You have fair expectations from both parties Your client understands what you are going to be solving for them You identified big opportunities (issues and solutions) Confirmation they made a good decision by bringing you on
2. Check in, share, and collaborate
Email your point of contact throughout every step. Allow them time to give you feedback and to offer potential opportunities. If your client just wants you to "do the work" or they don't have time to communicate with you about the project along the way you both risk an unhappy party. Let them know you value their time but you want to provide them with a successful product they will also appreciate. Ask them for suggestions and ideas even the most mundane tasks a client can weigh in on, choosing a back ground color or photo, try to give them 3 options if they are super busy. Ask your client if there is anything they are trying to push, and if you can help them push it you can gain even more loyalty points!
Why they will adore you: They will feel included in the process and that their opinions count You delivered pertinent recommendations and confirmed what a great idea it was to bring you in. You helped get one of their objectives pushed through quickly.
3. Respect their time
This is key to building a good relationship. A company can love you and your personality but if you don't respect their time commitments and their business you risk losing them as a client. Set clear time goals, also ask them what their time commitments are currently. Promptly return calls and emails and always try to use the rule 15mins ahead is on time.
Why they will adore you: They will know you value their company and their time Time=$$$$ Neither one of you want to waste either You are courtous and they know they can count on you You reaffirmed their reasons for hiring you over a competitor yet again! WAY 2 GO!
4. CALL THEM- - Call them- call them!
This goes with out saying... just keep up the line of communication and practice follow up calls and emails. Our general rule of thumb is a call every 3weeks to check on costumers and make sure we are fulfilling their needs, and then follow up with an email. We also like to follow up every phone call with an email to reaffirm what we are going to be working on and check in again to make sure we've answered all questions.
Why they will adore you: They know you care Even when they don't understand they know your available to speak with them, even if they don't remind themselves they know you'll be giving them a health check call You go over questions with them and check up on them throughout the duration of your releationship. You'd call someone your dating right well now its like your dating your clients. You keep up the relationship and know whats going on with their company objectivies.
5. Confirm to their work style
Your in business to provide a service, what that means is that the costumer is right. You need to confirm to their work style. If they want you to call them at night-then call at night. If they operate business opening at 3am schedule your calls around them. If they like to follow up weekly or even daily schedule it in your calendar to remind your self. Check with them on the best time to call or email. Check with them how often they would like to communicate with you throughout the project. Keep their business model. Show real interest in their business, if you know NOTHING about spiders but you work with spider web & arachnid then pick up a book and learn.
Why they will adore you: People appreciate when you show interest in what they are doing You are passionate about your product and business model so are they You respect them as a professional and show that you care When you show them you care about their product and are making an effort to understand it they care more about your business and services you can provide them You can upsell more by understanding what their needs are You show them that you are in the business of service and you will do what ever it takes to provide great service
6. Build a relationship with your client and with the company
Relationships build trust and build repeat clients. Take them out to lunch or for coffee, get to know them on a personal level and your professional relationship will soar. They will want to work with you more and trust you if they feel like they are working with a friend.
Why they will adore you: Your now their BFF visiting them in person or taking them for coffee shows commitment They will build a connection with you and learn more about you and your company
7. Go the extra mile- do work they didn't even know they needed, provide something for them they can't get anywhere else
You want to go above and beyond for your client and this means finding out what they need before they even know they need anything. Planing ahead shows the client you care about their business succeeding and not just about making your self and your company a quick buck. You want to keep them as a long term client and you want them to succeed. Make suggestions of what you can do for them. At this point they should trust you and you will have established a relationship so you need to show them that you are looking out for their bottom line. Try to provide them services for free along with their package, they didn't sign up for something extra but it'll only take you 3 minutes go ahead and do it for them. Give them more then they expect and they will stay by your company for years to come.

Read More

5 Tips For An Effective Email Marketing Campaign

Today where almost everyone is online, more and more business owners are switching from traditional mediums of business advertising to online means. From managing a website, to SEO and social networking, email marketing is one of the best ways to introduce your products and services to the online world.
A well planned email marketing campaign can largely affect your business' visibility and global recognition. And by following the right email marketing procedures, you can start seeing the results once your target costumers receive your emails. Email marketing also allows you to adapt to a constantly changing business world which makes the competition for a wider client base more cut-throat than ever before.
If you want to get the most out of your online presence, you should invest more time and energy on making sure that you get your email marketing strategy right.
1. Make sure to put obvious links on your email. Remember that the main purpose of email marketing is to drive traffic into your website. In order to achieve this, you need to include a lot of working links in your email and make sure that they actually look like links. You can also use a strong call to action to help attract your users to click on the links.
2. Tell your subscribers of what to expect. It is important to let your readers know what you plan on giving them and how often. You need to provide enough information on your subscription form so they can properly decide whether they want to be on your mailing list or not.
3. Don't forget to send a welcome email. It's advisable to remind your readers why they are receiving an email from your company and take this opportunity to thank them for their loyalty. You also need to reassure them that they can expect a lot of great things from their subscription. You can start by giving away a special offer or an exclusive content for new subscribers.
4. Make sure to include an easy to unsubscribe option in your email. Assuring your readers that they can unsubscribe from your emails or newsletters anytime they want is a good thing. You need to incorporate easy-to-find links that will allow them to unsubscribe with minimal effort.
Otherwise, when people get frustrated while figuring out how to remove their email addresses from your list it is likely that your email will be flagged as spam. This will affect your reputation and your future emails will end up in the junk folder instead of in the inbox of your potential clients.
5. Keep Your Text Short and Scannable. You can't expect users to read the entire text in your email. They're simply going to scan it for various points that might interest them. So keep it to the point, concise and highlight important messages.

Read More

Waiters Secret to Improve Tips

This is the key element to pass the 20% tip mark. Now it is your job to get people to like you. If you follow what I tell you in the next paragraphs, you will be surprised how much your tips grow.
The approach
Tell the guest your name. If given the chance, ask for their names. Memorize their names and use them. Find something you have in common. It can be a simple thing like how you have the same name or their favorite sport. Complement on their attire or accessories. Make it personal. Become their friend. Do not just be "the waiter" but rather be "Alan," so on their next visit they say "Alan, good to see you?" find out if they have kids, pets, likes and dislikes. Do it, without crossing the boundaries. Do not forget to take your cues, if they are willing to accept you.
Kids
If the guest brings their kids, make sure you notice them. Kids are important as well. Ask for kids' names. When kids order make sure you come to their eye level and ask them directly what they would like. Put in the order at the same time as parents. (this will allow parents to eat in peace) If you feed kids first, they will finish their meal before their parents and get impatient and over energized when parents get their food. Offer to bring paper and crayons or crackers. Bring extra napkins.
Up-selling
Always up-sell making the guest think that you guided them to what they wanted. Make sure that if they said they like something rich, you give it to them and not something that is not, simply for being expensive. Provide different options. Give them choices, emphasizing your positive views on the expensive items. Make suggestions. Suggesting is a good way to get their trust. You suggest something good, they like it, they will trust you and order anything you tell them to. Try, try, try. Do not hesitate to ask. Asking is the only way they will say yes. Many times, guest are thinking about it, they want the second drink or that cheesecake, but will not say it until you ask. When your patrons leave, saying "Thanks for the recommendations." You have done it!
Down-selling
Down-selling is not always a bad thing. In fact, down-selling gets the trust of the repeating customers. Let your customers know when they have order too much. (Play it by ear. Old Ladies do not eat the same as big football players). Let them know when they have double ordered. For example: mention that the entrée comes with a salad, if some one orders an entrée and a specialty salad as a starter. Could be that they did not notice the side salad the entrée comes with. Another way of down-selling and getting their trust is to offer something of less value but of better quality or that meets their likings. For example: a guest asks your recommendation on a bottle of wine and he tells you what he likes. He asks about that "expansive one". If you know there is a bottle of less value, that is just a good or better, let them know their choices. Always put guest satisfaction before sales!
Allergies and special needs
Always be courteous about peoples allergies and needs. Try your best to accommodate their needs. Never say no or I don't know, before checking with your kitchen about it. People that have allergies or special needs generally are more grateful when taken care of. If you take care of them, they will take care of you $$$$. Never see a person with special needs as a difficult customer, but rather as a potential good tip.
Difficult guest
Leave your Ego at the door. Never fight with a customer; There are many reasons not to do so, but most important, they become a non-repeat and a bad review. They will spread the word about what happened, you will loose not only their business but their friends and their friends' friends. (remember, satisfied customers tell 2 people, while dissatisfied tells 2000)Not to mention that your boss will see you as the weak link. Fight complains with apologies. Fix the problem instead of making it bigger. 9 out of 10 times, you end up doing what they ask anyway. Most of the times, when the problem is solved, that difficult customer becomes a good customer. If the problem is getting big and seems to not have an end, apologize and hand it to management. Most people are nice people that want a nice night out, but there are some psychos out there that want to be noticed. When you see one, turn it to management, do not try to solve the unsolvable. Never ruin the neighboring tables' dinner who are watching the scene if you fight with a customer. (use your ability to flash a fake smile)
Handicapped
When having handicapped in the restaurant, do not stare. Do not make them feel uncomfortable. Remove items that could be an obstacle without mentioning it. Provide any items that could be of use and plenty of space. Make everything accessible (silverware, glassware and plates). Treat no different unless asked to be.
Dropping the check
When you drop the check, don't just drop the check, let them know that you will be there for them. Let them know if you will be their cashier or if they have to pay at a different location. Always drop the check at center of the table. Never assume who will be paying. If more than one is interested to pay the check, look at it as first come first served. If they are still fighting about the check, jokingly mention that who ever said they wanted it first should get it. Otherwise give them a minute to resolve who will pay.

Read More