|
|
Does the conversion process end at the point of sale? Those of us in service industries realize that the conversion process is ongoing as we have to ensure customer satisfaction in order to continue to get repeat business. But even for those in retail or selling products of some sort, the conversation may be the end of one sales process, but it should also be the beginning of another.
In the service industry, once you've got a client, he or she is yours to lose. That means that unless you screw something up, they'll remain as a client for as long as there is a need for your services. But it's also your job to continue to sell to them by providing the best service possible and making sure the results are more than merely satisfactory.
Providing quality services can net you far more than just an ongoing contract, it can also provide great word-of-mouth leading to scores of referrals, which is the most lucrative form of marketing. What you say about yourself is not nearly as important as what others are saying about you.
Cultivating your existing clients can result in a great source of new clients. This is also true in retail. Anytime you sell a product, name and contact information can be gathered and used to cultivate that contact, providing a means to deliver additional information about your products, offer, etc.
One a customer has bought from you; there is a good chance he or she will buy from you again, provided that the experience was positive. If you don't do any follow up, there is a good chance that you’ll miss the boat the next time that customer needs your product.
So while conversions are the endpoint of a single process, with proper cultivation, follow-up and relationship building, the end of one conversion will result in many more to follow.
Discuss this article in the Small Business Ideas forum.
|
Stoney deGeyter is the President of Pole Position Marketing, a leading search engine optimization and marketing firm helping businesses grow since 1998. Stoney is a frequent speaker at website marketing conferences and has published hundreds of helpful SEO, SEM and small business articles.
If you'd like Stoney deGeyter to speak at your conference, seminar, workshop or provide in-house training to your team, contact him via his site or by phone at 866-685-3374.
Stoney pioneered the concept of Destination Search Engine Marketing which is the driving philosophy of how Pole Position Marketing helps clients expand their online presence and grow their businesses. Stoney is Associate Editor at Search Engine Guide and has written several SEO and SEM e-books including E-Marketing Performance; The Best Damn Web Marketing Checklist, Period!; Keyword Research and Selection, Destination Search Engine Marketing, and more.
Stoney has five wonderful children and spends his free time reviewing restaurants and other things to do in Canton, Ohio.
Search marketing information for small business owners.
Fetching the best small business news.
A friendly place to share small business ideas and knowledge.
A different kind of small business marketing conference.
The directory of the best small business sites and tools.
Home of our network.
Copyright © 1998 - 2012 K. Clough, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy
FreeFind Site Search Engine - FreeFind adds a "search this site" feature to your website, making your site easier to use. FreeFind also gives you reports showing what your visitors are searching for, enabling you to improve your site. FreeFind's advanced site search engine and automatic site map technology can be added to your website for free.
(Unpaid placement - FreeFind is a Search Engine Guide partner.)