Any consumer will rate customer service at the top of their list when they are evaluating a business. Business owners that instil customer service as a byword of their operation create customers who feel valued. listened to, and appreciated. Taking care of customers before and during the job is not the end of it though and creating customer service afterward is a huge opportunity to create more work and far more clients in future.

The best thing is it is simple to implement strategies that will not only create delighted customers but have them coming back again and again and spreading the good word about your business.

Keep in touch

Think of it this way, the job isn’t finished when the work’s done and the invoice has been sent. It’s just the end of the first time you have done work. Stay in touch and there will be more projects in future.  A call a month afterward to see how happy they are with the work is a great step. It shows you care but more importantly it puts you back in the customer’s mind. They may have something else they need doing or they may know a friend or family member who they feel confident to commend you to. Even if in that call they feel unhappy about something, you can address it, remedy it ,and again increase your cache in their mind.

That first follow up call can then be repeated in regular cycles of six months to a year. Do not make the mistake of thinking you may be annoying them, because in reality it is an exercise in giving attention and showing you value not only the work that you do but the customer you worked for.

Send bulletins

It is critical that every customer’s details are kept on a database that you can utilise to send bulletins. Bulletins needn’t be long and they can promote new services you offer and helpful tips. Remember again, this is another way of keeping your business in a customer’s mind and increasing the volume of future work. It’s simple and cheap marketing.

Ask for reviews

Reviews are gold dust for your business so don’t let slip the opportunities that eventuate from asking for them. Firstly – customers feel valued when they are asked their for their opinions and their evaluations. Secondly, a review creates a story about your business that makes you seen and chosen. Not asking for feedback is a missed opportunity. You can include a link to your ratings page on an invoice, you can email or text a QR code that goes straight to your ratings page, there are many ways to invite feedback.

Build the foundations for a growing business

Your work is great and your customers are delighted with it. Don’t stop there. Foster a relationship with your customers who will choose you for more jobs for years to come and advertise your business for free.