Recently, while watching a morning talk show, I heard multi-billionaire businessman Warren Buffett, considered to be one of the wealthiest men in the world, say, “The key to a successful business is to have happy customers”—a simple statement with big implications for all of us.
Whether a distributor or supplier, you need to have happy customers to thrive in business. These days, to keep them happy, you need to go above and beyond what is expected and stay one step ahead of your competitors.
Here are a few examples of how others in the promotional industry are doing that.
One of my favorite suppliers, The Platform Group Gallery, offers a free distributor self-promotion program, making it easier for distributors to show and sell their eco-friendly packaging. They also offer case history videos, with great ideas for selling their line. Yes, it costs them money, but the goodwill, increased business and word-of-mouth marketing they generate as a result make it a sound investment.
If you’re a distributor, what extra touches can you add to keep your customers happy? One savvy distributor I know regularly helps out at her customers’ events. Because of that, they wouldn’t dream of giving their promotional business to anyone else.
In my own business, I’ve found that it’s doing little things to cement the relationship from the first contact on that keep customers happy. For example, distributors are frequently surprised that I take the time to personally call them and thank them when they purchase a sales-training product from me. It’s a small gesture that makes a big impact.
Remember, happy customers become repeat customers and they help spread the word about how great you are, which is key to increasing your sales.
Here’s my question for today: What are you doing to make your customers happy today? What little touches can you add? I would enjoy hearing from suppliers and distributors. Please comment below.
Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach, is on a mission is to help people in promotional products sales sell smarter, attract choice clients and make more money with less time and effort. She is the creator of The FAST TRACK to Making Money in Promotional Products Sales and The Women Selling Smarter Program. Reach her at [email protected] or 215-572-6766. Visit her website http://www.promobizcoach.com for a FREE Promo Biz Sales-Boost Kit.
