developing a communication plan

DEVELOPING A COMMUNICATION PLAN

At this very moment your client is probably taking a meeting with one of your competitions, on his desk is a stack of direct mail solicitations from other competitors and waiting quietly in his mail box are another four or five tempting offers…. Discount prices, no obligation, free trials. Will your customer just say “no?” they’ll say yes.

Companies hat survive the first few rough years and continue to grow must do everything in their power to retain business while adding new customers. Keeping existing customers happy is far less expensive than finding new ones. That’s why developing a communication plan is essentials.

LITTLE TIPS:

How often do you communicate with your customers. daily, weekly, monthly. Do you know them personally or are they just faceless names on a database lists? Conversely, how well do they know you.

Communication is the glue that binds your customers to you. Customer loyalty cannot happen unless your customer cares enough about you and your business to say no to your competitors, and continue giving you their business.

The best way to foster caring is to develop more than a superficial customer/supplier relationship. Using a calendar, set aside on a daily or weekly basis to contact your clients. Tailor the method of communication to your individuals client’s needs. If you know they rarely take phone calls, mail them a letter or send an email.

Plan the content of communication. There are some tips

·         Notify your client of an upcoming event he or she may be interested in attending.

·         Send a newspaper clipping of interest or create a newsletter and have it professionally printed.

·         Offer a lead or suggest a prospective employee if you know they are hiring.

·         Send a small gift…… a useful giveaway with your company logo on it might work.

·         Create a repeat business cards inviting  customers to have the card punched each time they make a purchases after a certain number of purchases, they receive a free gift.

·         Send birthday cards, business cards, certificates of appreciation, holiday cards, thank you card or announcement.