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Many business owners and managers think that the only reason that their business exists is to offer a product or service to their customers at a fair and competitive price.  And while that is in  fact true, your job is also to create customers to buy those products.

But getting customers in the door to spend money is just half of the battle.  The real goal is to get your customers to be happy enough with you that not only do they come back, but that they create more customers for you.  You need to create customers who create customers.

So how do you get customers to come back and bring friends and family?

First, stay in touch with your customers.  Newsletters, personal emails or cards, questionnaires or a simple phone call.  Personal emails or cards, I feel, are the best.  Having customers fill out questionnaires either in your store or on email is fantastic.  What better way to find out what your customers want than to ask them?  Personal phone calls can be a challenge with todays lists of  phone call opt-outs, however there are professional companies that can make those call for you.

The second way is using gifts.  Everyone like to receive a gift and sending personal gifts to your customers makes you stand out from your competition.  I don’t recommend sending out discounts to your store, instead offer a complimentary gift with no strings attached or a physical gift sent to their home.

Third, simply ask for referrals.  Let your customers know that you appreciate referrals and if they are happy with your service you would like them to tell their friends and family.

Another great way to get feedback from and stay in touch with your customers is social media, ie; Facebook, Twitter, etc.  Having a fan page, posting special promotions or customer surveys can be done easily and inexpensively through social media.  If your not using it you are missing the boat.

There are many ways to keep your finger on the pulse of what your customers want and expect and in doing so you will keep them happy and in turn they will tell everyone about you.

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About The Author:

	Mike Liddicoat is a Husband, Father, Speaker and the Sales & Marketing Director of AttaBoy! Solutions. His goal is to help businesses maintain relationships, ensure future business and acquire new referrals through appreciation marketing. Throughout this blog you can sign up for updates, news, special offers, discounts and more. So take a look around, leave a comment or two and enjoy.
Contact Mike

Most people enjoy getting extra spending money -especially around the holidays. Surveys of American workers have concluded that 95% considered a cash bonus a positive and meaningful incentive. The only problem with giving cash is that often employees simply use the money to pay bills and quickly forget the reward.

Cash or cash substitutes (such as coupons or points that can be traded for products) do, however, give the employee flexibility in deciding how to use the reward. Since it’s their choice, the likelihood of satisfaction increases tremendously. Gift certificates and gift collections have the advantage of quick fulfillment and flexible dollar amounts. They also may or may not have expiration dates and it’s very likely that they don’t have shipping costs associated with them. They can be redeemed in a wide variety of places (including the internet) for a broad range of merchandise, from gourmet food to lawn mowers.

After numerous years consulting with clients about incentive programs I have heard stories time and time again about the reward they chose themselves while working for a previous company. One story was about a step ladder they had received close to 12 years prior. All the details were easily recalled and shared -they still have the step ladder in their pantry to this day. Even today I got to hear the story of someone receiving star awards and after receiving a certain number, redeeming them for a flash light. This was after six years… Now that is an incentive that works.

Again – give cash, and although it’s appreciated it is also quickly forgotten. Give a tangible gift, especially one where the recipient gets to choose their own reward, and it’s remembered indefinitely. The choice is yours.
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About The Author:

Sally Liddicoat is a Wife, Mother, Speaker and the Founder & CEO of AttaBoy! Solutions. Her goal is to help businesses increase sales, generate ongoing referrals, strengthen relationships and create loyal customers and employees through appreciation marketing. Throughout this blog you can sign up for updates, news, special offers, discounts and more. So take a look around, leave a comment or two and enjoy.

Contact Sally

Surely you have received the same lesson that everyone is taught early in life. Mom is close by. Somebody gives you a treat or does something nice and you hear the ever familiar words, “What do we say?”. Although mom’s voice and tone most likely changed a bit as you grew from two to twelve and beyond, the message is still the same “Don’t forget to say thank you”.

Appreciation. It’s a fairly simple word, yet so many forget all about it. They neglect to express or show it as often as they probably should to the people that impact their life in a positive way. Keep in mind, no occasion is necessary. In fact, small surprises and tokens of your appreciation spread throughout the year help the people in your life feel valued all year long.

Gestures of appreciation can be big and extravagant or they can be very small and subtle. Either way, or somewhere in between, they have a huge impact. Here are some really simple ways to show your appreciation:

1. Send a heart felt thank-you note or card
2. Give a gift certificate or gift card to their favorite coffee shop
3. Have fresh cut flowers delivered
4. Extend an invitation for a cup of coffee or lunch
5. Present a small gift – the gift, and the gesture of providing it, will light up their day
6. Pick up the phone and give them a call – yes, it can be that simple
7. Tell them what you think they are particularly great at and why

The relationships with the people in your life are as important as the people themselves.  Take time to show them how much you appreciate them and how much they matter.
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About The Author:

Sally Liddicoat is a Wife, Mother, Speaker and the Founder & CEO of AttaBoy! Solutions. Her goal is to help businesses increase sales, generate ongoing referrals, strengthen relationships and create loyal customers and employees through appreciation marketing. Throughout this blog you can sign up for updates, news, special offers, discounts and more. So take a look around, leave a comment or two and enjoy.

Contact Sally