There’s no getting around the fact that customers and clients (or readers, product users, etc.) are the very life-blood of our businesses. Without satisfied people who are purchasing our services or products, we don’t have an income and without an income, we don’t have a business. In order to keep our customers and clients happy and connected, we can’t just treat them like numbers and dollar signs. We really do have to care about our customers if we are going to create strong relationships and customer loyalty.
I know that you’ve heard that you shouldn’t get too emotionally involved with your business or your customers and clients. I suppose to a certain extent that is true, but I do not buy it completely. I think we really do have to care about what we are doing, and we have to care about our customers and clients–otherwise, how do we build real relationships with those people?
I am not advocating dripping sentiment and lots of “love” talk with our customers–but taking a genuine interest, learning about their families and their lives, and making it our business’ mission to actually contribute in a positive way to our customers and clients lives can only be good for our business operations. Think of your own personal experience–have you ever dealt with a salesperson who made you feel like you were just dollar signs in his eyes or just one more “body” on the way to quota? Compare this with a sales person with whom you’ve established a lasting relationship and you go back to again and again. Chances are, you feel like this person really knows you and cares about you and your family and life. Fostering a feeling of caring for our customers is not only good for business, it just makes for good personal and human relationships too.
Also: Do You Need a New Product or Service? Or Just New Customers?
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