Customers are the heart and soul of your business. Without them there just isn’t a business. And when you have loyal and devoted customers it just makes being a business owner the best thing in the world. There’s nothing like building a community of like-minded individuals. So what can you do to build and grow the love? Here are a few ideas to to help you turn your customers and propects into raving fans!

Leverage the Power of FREE!

Everyone enjoys a good freebie. When you provide your customers with regular value that costs them nothing, not even their email address, they really start to feel appreciated. They also start to truly appreciate you too. Freebies can come in the form of promotional offers like a BOGO (buy one get one).

You can also share free downloads and information. It’s more than offering free content. Offer free downloads too. Think about reports, videos, checklists, comparison charts, workbooks, and lists. Help your customer by providing extra value for free. Be sure to download my gifts to you here. If you feel so inclined, share what you like about them in my Facebook community here. Enjoy!

Treat’em Right with Superior Customer Service!

Exceed their expectations by over delivering when it comes to customer service. Provide them with an exceptional customer service experience and make sure the experience is consistent. Each time you interact with a customer – whether it is on a social networking site, via telephone or email or face to face – make sure they know how much you appreciate them.

How? Create systems that support a great experience. Autoresponders can ensure each customer email is acknowledged in a timely manner. Apparent policies and procedures and a FAQ page can help ensure customers can easily find answers to their questions. And a friendly, polite, and welcoming communication can reinforce your customer service vision.

Practice Excellence with Every Interaction!

This one is a big pet peeve of mine. I was working with a client recently on her branding. One of the questions that I pose is around three ways you want to perceived by your target market and excellence is ALWAYS high on my list of three. You must make sure everything you do is done to the best of your ability. Always put forth quality information, products and services. Quality matters. It not only helps you earn customer love; it also helps build credibility and authority in your industry. People will share the good news about you and your business. You’ll receive referrals and recommendations. It’s one of the best ways to build a business.

Create high expectations for yourself and your business. Then rise up to the challenge to meet them. Provide an exceptional customer service experience. Give your customers a steady supply of no cost value, and take steps to ensure each and every product or service you deliver or represent is top notch.

Treat your customers like you want to be treated and you’ll be well on your way to building a loyal and loving customer list. They’ll buy from you more often. They’ll refer you to others and they’re the best people to work with. Loving customers make being a business owner worthwhile.

© 2011 Felicia Davis International

“Felicia Davis mentors new, emerging and aspiring women entrepreneurs on creating the lifestyle business they desire! Get her FREE CD “25 Ways to Wow Your Customers, Increase Your Profits and Make Your Competitors Wish They Were You!” at www.SmallBizLaunch.com”

YES– it is true that Networking is an art that must be mastered. However, for those of you that are new to the networking game and the art of mastering it, please READ ON.

If you really want to make your network work for you, there are some surefire tactics that you must employ if you do not want to be in a position at social function of hanging with the same person all night.  Networking is much more than simply handing out your business/calling card and moving to the next ‘target’ in the room. I am always so surprised by the number of people that exchange business cards and do not take advantage of the possibility of creating an instant marketing campaign. They hand over their business card, say a few words and move on without leaving an impression that would inspire you to tell others about them.

Get away from the fallacy of believing that networking is about who you know. Master networkers know that the true power in your network is really about WHO KNOWS YOU! Learn to engage in meaningful dialogue with others and you will rapidly multiply the dispersion of your message. Going home with a pocket full of business cards is no indication of how strong your network is. You must implement strategies that will not only facilitate building a good network of people that know you but also creating solid alliances with others.

Below are 5 strategies that have helped me grow personally, professionally and take my businesses to new heights! Try one, two or all of them and be sure to drop me a note and share your success story. I would love to feature it in my next newsletter.

GRAB their Attention and Make’em Want to Listen!
Master your 30-second introduction! You must have something to say and know how to say it quickly and with impact! If you do not have the ability to articulate the brand you call you, get it in order before your next network mixer. There are three simple steps to creating a 30-second introduction. Don’t miss the opportunity to have people know who you are by being unprepared to get their attention. If you missed my article last week, drop me a note and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Business/Calling Card Buzzzzz!
Put your business/calling cards to work for you! Business/calling cards are at the heart of the first introduction that you make with others. Ensure that your business card serves as a true marketing engine for you. Take the time to design an impressive card with a tagline or message that will get attention and make people want to contact you. Try using the front and back of the card to get your message across, however do not cram in too much information – leave some “white space.” Business cards with visual clarity are more likely to be read AND kept for future reference.

Use Reverse-Networking not Empty Dialogue!
Don’t waste your time or anyone else’s with fruitless conversations that lead to nowhere! After giving your 30-second introduction, spark a dialogue that shows you have a true interest in understanding what it is that person does. This works much better than simply exchanging business cards and talking about yourself the entire time. Learn to ask probing questions– something as simple as “So tell me what it is that you do” and following it up with “Hmmm, that sounds interesting, tell me more” is enough to initiate a meaningful not empty dialogue. People love it when you truly take an interest in what they have to offer. Besides this creates a memorable experience and when you contact them AFTER the event, you will have plenty of focused and dedicated time to really talk about what you do. It’s a reverse networking tactic that has not only helped me build a network or people that know me but create some very meaningful alliances with others as well.

Use the ‘Power of Introduction’ to Extend that Buzzzz about You!
Take advantage of the “Stick and Move” strategy to create more buzz about you! Now that you understand and know something about the person that you just met, introduce them to someone else in the room that you know. Not only will you make a memorable (stick) impression, but it also allows you to make a brief introduction and keep it movin’. If you are a lone ranger and do not know anyone else at the event YET, let the person know that you will be following up with them in a few days because you have a colleague that you would like to introduce them to. Now….you are really starting to have people know WHO YOU ARE and creating alliances with others as well.

Implement a Follow-up Campaign!
Get people to really know who you are! If you find that you are handing out plenty of business/calling cards but your phone isn’t ringing – there could obviously be several factors that contribute to this. However, one may very well be that you do not have an effective follow-up strategy – if you employ one at all! Following up with those that you meet is imperative and may be the one strategy that gets you closer to your ultimate goal. Do not make a big deal out of follow-up. This only leads to procrastination and no follow-up. A quick and simple email a few days after the event just to express your pleasure in having met and extending an official invitation to keep in touch.

That’s it! Now you have started to establish an open AND welcomed relationship that could blossom into something at the NextLevel – whatever that level may be for you!

© 2011 Felicia Davis International

“Felicia Davis mentors new, emerging and aspiring women entrepreneurs on creating the lifestyle business they desire! Get her FREE CD “25 Ways to Wow Your Customers, Increase Your Profits and Make Your Competitors Wish They Were You!” at www.SmallBizLaunch.com”

I’ve been using outsourcers in my business for the last 4 years. In fact, I don’t know what I would do without them – especially for a lot of my technical projects. I’ve had the same technical team for over 3 years now but it took a lot of trial and error to find the right people with the right skills and within my budget. Finding the right outsourcers can make your business run faster, more efficiently and more easily, but finding those outsourcers can be a daunting task. How can you make sure you find the right people to do the task at a good price? I’m going to share with you five  smart outsourcing tips that will make it easy for you.

1. State Your Expectations Up Front

What will working with you be like? What kind of working relationship can they expect? Tell them up front. If you’re looking for someone to do a bunch of repeat work with, say so. If you just need a one-time project done, let them know. It’s also important to let them know how you want them to communicate with you. Do you use a project management software? Or do you want them to be in constant contact with you by email?
The more you can define how you want the working relationship to work, the better.

2. Start with At Least Three Providers
You’ll come across some amazing talent when you start looking at potential outsourcers. Unfortunately, the only way to really find out if they’re as good as they seem on paper is to give their services a test run. Always test out at least three. Why?

First of all, one or more of them might not work out. Even if they look great on paper, they may not actually deliver the quality of work you’re looking for when you contract them for a real job. Another reason is that they may all deliver top-quality work, but one may be significantly lower priced.
In short, you just don’t know what the market can provide you without testing out the market. Testing one outsourcer isn’t testing the market. To really find the best deal for you and your business, always start by testing at least three outsourcers.

3. Don’t Let Price Be Your Only Benchmark

With so many people in developing countries willing to work for as little as $2.50 an hour, it can be very tempting to try and go for the lowest-priced providers. Don’t. You almost always get what you pay for online. After all, if a provider could truly provide a high-quality service, why would he or she charge less than other providers who are getting clients at higher rates? If you really want to try out a lower-rate provider, make sure you also simultaneously test out one or two higher-rate providers to see the difference.

4. Start Small

Start your test runs with small projects. If you’re really looking for a provider to do a $2,000 project for you, start them out on a $50 project. Then do a $150 project with them. If you’re satisfied with both the communication and the quality of the work, then contract them for your big project.
Never start out a new contractor on a high-ticket project. There are just so many variables that can go wrong. Test the waters small before awarding the big dollars.

5. Protect Your Intellectual Property

Once you decide on your outsourcer, be sure to have them sign a proprietary information agreement before assigning any work to them. You want to ensure that you protect your information to ensure they understand your ownership to the material as well as understand that the info is not to be shared.

These tips can go a long way towards making sure you find and hire the right outsourcer for your team without losing a lot of money on outsourcers that didn’t work out.

© 2011 Felicia Davis International

“Felicia Davis mentors new, emerging and aspiring women entrepreneurs on creating the lifestyle business they desire! Get her FREE CD “25 Ways to Wow Your Customers, Increase Your Profits and Make Your Competitors Wish They Were You!” at www.SmallBizLaunch.com”