4.5 ways to earn a great reputation
1. Do everything you said you would do on time or sooner. To have any prayer for a reputation you must be known as a person who does and delivers what you promise. Without this fundamental element, don’t bother to read the rest.
2. Be easy to do business with and be friendly while you are doing it. Customers expect everything and they expect it when they need it — not just when you can offer it. You have to be friendly when you are there and friendly when you are not there. This means easy telephone access and easy Internet access.
3. Be proactively remarkable. When you stand out from other vendors, you will be talked about and earning a reputation (and a testimonial) will be simple. Being remarkable means going the extra mile and making service the forefront of your business, not an add on.
4. Provide consistent help. If you get my weekly email magazine, Sales Caffeine, you know it is all about sales help. Each week I provide my customers information of value — to help them learn and grow. And I do it for free. As a result, they are loyal, they think of me often in a positive way, and they proactively send me referrals on a regular basis.
4.5 Get business for them. While this is not always possible, I can assure you it is the single most valuable thing you can do to secure loyal relationships, referrals, an incredible reputation, and testimonials that will flow like Niagara Falls. Figure out a way to help your customer by providing them leads, referrals, and networking opportunities, so that they have an opportunity to get new business. I promise you the most incredible reputation will come your way.
Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Little Red Book of Selling, and Customer Satisfaction is Worthless, Customer Loyalty is Priceless. President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts internet training programs on selling and customer service at www.trainone.com. He can be reached at 704/333-1112 or e-mail to salesman@gitomer.com
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