Everyone knows we are in business to earn money. But what about earning trust and respect? What happened to the good old days when those "things" mattered? Think they don't today? Well they do. Competition for similar services and products is overwhelming. Clients and prospects now need to rely on the trustworthiness and respect of the companies with which they want to conduct business.
In order to get ahead of your competition, you need to hear what your clients and prospects are saying about you - especially the negative comments. Make this an opportunity for your company to gain their trust and respect. Use this time to show that you heard them, are making changes and are putting in measures to prevent future mishaps.
Update them frequently regarding these issues and concerns using your social media outlets. Frequently describe the changes you are making and your timeline - keeping them in the loop. Use your other marketing outlets to promote the resolution to these issues once complete. Allow your clients and prospects the opportunity to reap the rewards of hanging in there while you were making the necessary changes. Invite them back with valuable discounts, incentives or other similar rewards and ask them to talk about their experience.
Why not ask what changes your clients and prospects would like to see? What a great reason to stay in front of these groups and interact.
You will start to learn what's really important to your clients and prospects and, by putting it to use, you will gain their trust and respect.
Author: Karen Pryor - President of Pryor2 Marketing. She is an award winning and creative problem solver with more than 10 years experience of high level project and client management, including initiating, developing and presenting campaigns which help clients reach goals that are essential to the company's growth.