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How to Keep Customers Coming Back For More
So you've had some
success getting customers in your small business. They bought
once, and you're not quite sure why they're not returning for
more. How do you increase the number of repeat sales you get?
How to you get clients/customers coming back for more. Great
question and I have a few sales-generating suggestions for you.
Why Did They Show Up?
There's some gold in
discovering why your customers showed up in the first place.
Often, when we're focused on how to sell services or any other
product for that matter, we're focused on the sale and not the
customer. But actually, when you focus on the customer and you
get real clear on what caused them to show up in the first
place, you are a far better position to create repeat sales.
When someone shows up to
buy something, they're usually pretty prolific about why they
need it. They're freely sharing "the why." Your goal would be to
become really attentive to what's being said. That will give you
some clues as to what else you can offer to create future sales.
Sell Solutions
If you'd like to sell
more of something, you'd first have to find out what the next
need is, yes? Customers only pull out their credit cards when
they see what you are offering as as the solution to their
needs, problems, frustrations or burning desires.
So the key then, would be
to get real clear on what you sell from the perspective of being
a solution vs just another product or service. When you know
what the need is and you can speak convincingly about the
solution you can provide to that need or burning desire, then
you're well positioned to create repeat sales.
Get a Crowd of Hungry Buyers
Sometimes we look for
repeat sales in the wrong places and here's what I mean by that.
If you're still thinking that your product is for "anyone and
everyone" you're actually undermining your sales. Sure, you may
be successful in getting a bunch of random people to buy, but
are they really your ideal customer? If they're not your ideal
customer, then the chances of repeat sales are slim to none.
So what I say is.. focus
all your energies on folks who are truly your ideal customers.
The ones who are genuinely hungry for what you have to offer.
They're excited to have found you and your solution, they
happily buy from you, and the sale is virtually effortless. But
be sure you've also invested in some knowledge on how to have an
effective sales conversation as well (as that may be a big part
of the problem).
Don't Forget the Relationship & Follow-Up
It's funny that we want
customers to come back for more but at the same time, we are the
ones who are drop out of sight and go into silence after the
sale is made. If someone buys and never hears from you, then the
chances of repeat sales are slim to none. So when the purchase
is complete, explore what you can do to continue the
relationship? In my business coaching practice, for example, I
continue the relationship through helpful articles, videos,
audios, etc. I continue to provide value and remind folks of my
expertise, that I'm here and that I can help through other
available resources.
It's called follow-up and
it's also setting up your "sales funnel." It's important to set
up your business to remind folks what's next for them in their
quest for solutions. Don't assume they know what else they can
get. So to create repeat sales, you may need to deepen the
relationship and your visibility through more consistent
follow-up. And when you follow-up by providing great value
(tips, suggestions, teaching, etc. in your area of expertise)
and by truly helping, it's actually quite a lot of fun as well.
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