6 Surefire Ways to Grow in 2012

Growth begins by sowing the seeds for a strong relationship with your customers

Without customers, none of us would be in business.  Without customers, there is no growth.

It’s up to us as business owners to do everything we can to nurture the relationships with our customers so we can reap the benefits. Here are six ways to keep customers  - and thereby, grow – this year:

1. Be bold and be honest with yourself.  When looking at your marketing, is it the medium or the message? Test direct mail, mobile marketing, online offers, Deals and more.  If you have offers that aren’t getting a strong response anymore, strengthen and/or change the offer. Test everything, and do more of what’s working best for you.
2. Stay in front of them.  If you “go black” on your customers by not advertising or reaching out to them in some way, you’re letting them forget about you and opening the door for the competition to step in. Frequency and repetition work in advertising.
3. Consistently thank customers for their business.  Send emails, make a phone call and say it face-to-face.  For decades, businesses that thrive are usually the ones that make it a point to simply thank the customer without making another sales pitch.
4. Recognize what the competition is doing right and what they are doing wrong when it comes to customer service. Then capitalize on it.
5. Start listening. Ask your customers what they like about doing business with you, and what you could do to improve.  There is no better way to learn how to evolve – and thereby grow a relationship- than to ask the people who pay you for your products and services what they think about how you are doing, and then act.
6. Use Twitter or Facebook to connect with your customers.  Ask customers to “Like” and “Follow” you.  Ask questions and get input online.

What are you going to do this year to grow the relationships you have with your customers? What are you plans to grow your business in 2012?  How can your Valpak team help?