Are you interested in being known for your extraordinary customer service? Or perhaps you just want your customers to feel like it’s easy to work with you or purchase from you. If so, try these five tips for five-star client service.
1. A good old-fashioned handwritten thank you note.
Almost extinct, this customer pleaser shows you are willing to go the extra mile for a personal touch and connection with your client. You can purchase boxes of thank you notes from any stationery store or order them with your company logo from a local printer.
2. Remember your customer’s preferences.
High-end hotels are good at remembering what you like, and almost any business can add this idea by using a CRM – customer relationship management system – that stores customer preferences, order history, last conversations, and any notes you want to remember about the client. The trick is keeping the system notes updated and using them when it counts.
3. Deliver an unexpected extra.
When your customer least expects it, give them more than what they paid for. This manifests itself in many ways, depending on your business type. Here are some examples:
Restaurants: Give an appetizer, dessert, or coffee at no charge or pick up the bill of a regular once in a while.
Retail or offices: Offer an unexpected beverage and fruit tray or snacks like you would find at a spa or country club.
Real estate: Provide a list of local phone numbers, a fancy map or GPS app, or coupons to restaurants you partner with.
Construction: Offer a tool, a warranty, a list of reliable repairmen, or a full set of replacement lightbulbs.
Landscaping: Offer a birdfeeder, a fertilizer schedule, or a lawn tool.
Any office: Partner with a business that has your same client base and exchange coupons so that you have a book of them to give to all your clients.
4. Give clients your cell number.
Giving clients your personal or business cell number is not as risky as you might think. Very few clients will actually call you. Surprisingly, the goodwill you gain by sharing your personal number far outweighs any disruption. But here’s a warning – don’t share your number with sales reps of vendors; you’ll get relentless calls every day from them.
5. Offer a VIP membership.
Some customers care about and are willing to pay more for excellent service, and others don’t. Separate your customer base by offering a VIP membership. By paying a nominal fee each year, these members get priority access to your appointment time, sales, overnight shipping, or whatever else you can distinguish. The good news is it’s a new revenue stream as well.
Choose one of these ideas and implement it to increase your customer service to five stars.