How To Rise Above The Competition

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

The objective of a business is to
rise above the competition, gain
new customers, and keep old
customers coming back.

"That's hard." You and a friend
talked about the topic.

The first impression is very
important. You'll never get a
second opportunity to give that,
all important, unique, insight
about you, your business.

You win at business by communicating,
stating, how better, different, cost
effective, your product or service
is. This happens at the first
contact with potential customers.

In person, use short and long sentences.
Stay relaxed. Take a deep breath
before starting, three if needed. Speak
like you're talking to a friend,
associate. Pause every three to four
sentences. Allow time for questions.
Make it clear that you're available for
questions, concerns. Point out that no
question is too small, or not worth
bringing to your attention.

In an ad, the benefits of your product or
service is emphasized. Project how your
product or service is best for him/her.
Provide an easy payment plan, for example.
The easy payment plan can be installments.

The customer receives the product, uses it,
enjoys the results, and pays for it in
three months. He/she tells others about it.

The word-of-mouth advertising brings in
more customers. More customers equals
profits.

You give customers contact information.
Make sure you get his/her contact
information, also. You send customers
trial offers, samples, and other helpful
information using his/her contact
information.

"Tell me more about contact information."
You sipped on coffee.

Contact information is your mailing
address, office telephone numbers,
cellular numbers, web site link(s), e-mail
addresses, and home telephone number(s) if
your business works that way.

Stay in touch with customers through
contact information. Send follow-up
telephone calls, letters, and e-mails.

Telephone conversations are kept
professional, to the point, but friendly.
There is nothing wrong with asking how
the client is. Don't spend ten minutes
chatting about the weather, but a cordial
tone is best.

You want the customer to feel cared
about, and not that you're there just to
make a sale.

Some people prefer to be e-mailed over
telephone calls. You'll know which form
of communication a client wants after
speaking with him/her a few times.

You engaged a client in conversation.
Ask how he/she liked the product or
service. Could the product be improved?
What suggestions do he/she have? What
aspect of the product or service he/she
liked best? Would he/she like to see
similar products in the line? Do he/
she have a suggestion for improvement?

It gains loyalty from the client when
his/her input is taken seriously. They
feel apart of the organization, respected.

Rise above the competition by going the
extra step. You win at business being
better at providing friendly service,
quality, and a fair price. Be sure clients
have your contact information, and you
theirs. Use a customer's contact
information to send them samples, discounts,
updates on products/services, and general
information to help them. Customers will
be loyal, and encourage others to buy your
products and services when they feel you
care.

How To Set Yourself Apart

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

The goal of any business is to set itself
apart from the competition, keep current
customers, and gain new ones.

"It isn't that easy." You blurted loud
enough for your cat to stir.

It's true that your first impression is
the most important. You'll never get the
chance to re-live the first impression, in
business or life.

The means of contact you use must
communicate, state, how better, different,
cost effective, your product or service
is. Anticipate questions, and answer them.
Put yourself in the customer's place. What
concerns would you have?

Make it clear about being available for
further questions. No question is too
small, or not worth asking. Naturally,
you provide contact numbers, again, at
the end of the correspondence.

Make sure you're addressing the correct
party. Have his/her contact information?
If not, be sure to ask for it.

"Contact information?" You asked.

Contact information is your correct
mailing address, office telephone
numbers, cellular numbers, web site
link, e-mail addresses, and other
information to make it easier to close
the deal.

Keep in touch with him/her through the
contact information. Send follow-up
letters, calls, and e-mails.

Telephone conversations are professional,
and to the point.

After talking with a person a couple times,
you'll know which form of communication he/
she prefers. Lean toward using that
particular mode.

In the world of business, set yourself
apart from the competition by sending
the additional letter, advice, answer
the same question twice, or go the extra
step to close the deal.