How to market your small business through better customer service

Most small businesses face the challenge of being able to market with a limited budget and few resources. This often leads small business owners to become overly discouraged about their marketing. They feel that because they don't have the resources of their larger competition, that they will not be able to market effectively. The good news is that there is a marketing tool that has been proven to be more effective then many of today's marketing strategies. Best of all this tool is available for any business, of any size or type. The marketing tool is customer service. You can use the level of customer service at your small business to not only win the loyalty of your existing customer base, but is will also prompt your existing clients to let everyone else know why they should buy from you. Here is what you need to know about how to market your small business through better customer service-

- Start by anticipating your customers wishes-Many businesses post signs encouraging their customers to let them know if there is a problem. However, you can take this type of customer service a step further, by finding out the needs and concerns of your clients, and meeting them before they become an issue. Your customers will take note of your efforts and will interpret it to mean that your relationship with them is important. They will repay you in customer loyalty.
- Hire carefully-Small businesses need to pay extra close attention to the people that they hire. Hiring just one person, who does not uphold the highest standards of customer service, can undo all of the hard work that you and the rest of your staff have put in. You want to make sure that each and every person that you bring onto your staff knows that customer service is the highest priority, of your small business. The bottom line is that your employees and the service they provide will, will be strong reminders of your marketing message.
- Incorporate a customer service vocabulary-In addition, to hiring the right employees; you also want to train them in all of their interactions with your customers. How they speak and what they say can go a long way toward marketing your small business. You want to make sure that all interactions with your customers (especially verbal) express the desire that you and your staff have to provide the highest degree of customer service.
- Acknowledge each and every customer-When a customer purchases from you that is the perfect time to not only thank them, but pass on a marketing message. You can do this by sending a thank you note, complete with a discount that can be used when they return to purchase. Some small businesses have even included discounts for customers who bring in a new customer (have your customers work for you!).Just remember to include an expiration date so it includes a sense of urgency.
- Speed up your service-Today's consumer is looking for faster service, more then ever before. You want to make sure that your customer service processes are done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Holding up your customer or wasting their time, will do nothing more then sending a negative marketing message. Remember that you are working toward getting your customers to express how great and fast your service is and send you more customers.
- Focus on hello and goodbye-Studies have shown that consumers remember the first and last minutes of a service interaction, more then what happened in between. Train everyone who works for you to acknowledge each customer when they arrive and leave, and this may become your most effective marketing strategy that you use.