Your clients are the number one reason why your business exists. So once a customer uses your business, how can you keep them coming back for more? The secret is simple: keep in contact with them, and give them reasons to come back to your business.

Each business is different, so you will want to look at what will work best for you. Here are a few ideas you can use to keep in contact with your clients:

1) Make sure you always collect some sort of contact information from your clients. Otherwise, you will have no way of contacting them. You can do this in a number of ways:

- get customers to sign a guestbook
- have a fishbowl available where people can leave their business cards
- suggest that customers sign up for a newsletter
- run some sort of contest

Once you have a list of clients, you will be able to contact as often as you wish.

2) If you add a new product or service, or expand your business in any way, inform your clients first. You can achieve this a few ways:

- If you have a newsletter, include it in your newsletter.
- Do a mass mailing using postcards, letters, etc
- Call any client that has provided their phone number. You should only use this idea if the change would directly relate to them.
- Post the change on your website, if you have one.

3) Start a website if you don’t have one. Provide information about your business, and other information such as tips and articles that are useful to your clients. Your customers will appreciate this service. Don’t forget to have some sort of opt-in form on the site so you can collect their email addresses!

4) This one is simple: write thank you notes to your clients. A handwritten thank you note shows the client that you truly appreciate their business. If a client feels that they are appreciated and welcomed, then chances are they will come back to your business before doing business with one of your competitors.

5) The use of marketing materials can keep you in contact with your clients. You would be surprised how much impact a simple pen with your logo and phone number can do. Other marketing materials include: magnetic business cards, key rings, and notepads. These marketing materials are typically fairly inexpensive, and can be ordered in mass quantities.

6) Discount coupons are a great way to bring your customers back. Will 10% off hurt your business, especially if it means that client will come back? You may want to mail these coupons out, or supply a code for use upon checkout if you have an online business.

7) Consider starting a referral system. A referral program will not only get your previous clients to come back, but it will also help you obtain new clients as well. For example: for each referral, you could give the client a 10 dollar gift card to use in your store. Be careful not to give out cash, as this may or may not be used for products or services for your business.

I hope these 7 ideas will spark more creative ways to help you glean contact information from your clients.

To your business success,
Bill Brine
Build A Successful Home Small Business