Comments on: What will be different in ’09? http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/ Small Business Branding and Marketing Advice and Commentary Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:07:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Al@wedding anniversary gifts http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-318227 Al@wedding anniversary gifts Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:43:30 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-318227 Even though this is a year old, it's still really valid - we've been asking our customers for feedbac just recently, sending out a few questions via email. We keep such a personal relationship with each customer during the ordering process anyway, that they're always very open to talk to us about things. Even though this is a year old, it’s still really valid – we’ve been asking our customers for feedbac just recently, sending out a few questions via email. We keep such a personal relationship with each customer during the ordering process anyway, that they’re always very open to talk to us about things.

]]> By: Zane Safrit http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-252104 Zane Safrit Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:09:15 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-252104 Great post. I'm feeling the love here for those who bring a brand to the Dance: customers (current and former) and employees. I love the idea of calling ex-customers. It IS tough, but oh so worth it. Great post. I’m feeling the love here for those who bring a brand to the Dance: customers (current and former) and employees.

I love the idea of calling ex-customers. It IS tough, but oh so worth it.

]]> By: Drew McLellan http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-250871 Drew McLellan Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:47:44 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-250871 I hoping some of you will be brave enough to give this a try and then come back and let us know how it went. I promise....you will learn something that will make your business notably better for 2009. Drew I hoping some of you will be brave enough to give this a try and then come back and let us know how it went.

I promise….you will learn something that will make your business notably better for 2009.

Drew

]]> By: Mark @ first anniversary gifts http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-250212 Mark @ first anniversary gifts Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:56:35 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-250212 Great advice Drew! We have started following up every order with a questionnaire about their experience with our company. Getting lots of great info on how to improve. Mark Great advice Drew! We have started following up every order with a questionnaire about their experience with our company. Getting lots of great info on how to improve.

Mark

]]> By: John Hall http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-249581 John Hall Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:45:40 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-249581 Honesty and truth with your customers is extremely important to maintain the long term relationship and repeat business. Unless you are a super skilled con artist, most people can pick, even if just sub-consiously, when you are spinning them a line. They then lose trust in you, and don't return. If you make a mistake, admit it, and bend over backwards to make the customer happy. From my few? mistakes in life, it has been proven over and over that people appreciate the honesty and effort and build trust with you. Honesty and truth with your customers is extremely important to maintain the long term relationship and repeat business. Unless you are a super skilled con artist, most people can pick, even if just sub-consiously, when you are spinning them a line. They then lose trust in you, and don’t return. If you make a mistake, admit it, and bend over backwards to make the customer happy. From my few? mistakes in life, it has been proven over and over that people appreciate the honesty and effort and build trust with you.

]]> By: Ratgeber Gesundheit http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-249356 Ratgeber Gesundheit Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:20:19 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-249356 Good business ethics counts. This is helpful especially to those who can't swallow their pride and not take the leap in winning back their "former" clients. Very informative and very timely - economic chaos is in the offing - got to grab this easy to learn do's and dont's. Good business ethics counts. This is helpful especially to those who can’t swallow their pride and not take the leap in winning back their “former” clients. Very informative and very timely – economic chaos is in the offing – got to grab this easy to learn do’s and dont’s.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-249227 Kelly Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:32:12 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-249227 I like the article - it's always good to see a little bit of humilty from people in the business world. Another step to starting off '09 on the right foot is making sure all of your outsourced jobs are in check. Make sure who ever does your accounting, web hosting, advertising and marketing, or anything else out-souced is doing the most efficient, cost effective job for you. For example if you are paying $20 for web hosting consider switching hosts. http://www.TheBlueKingdom.com offers hosting at $3.99. It is the small desicions that add up over time and make your business successful. We can always be better, because no one is perfect. Good luck! I like the article – it’s always good to see a little bit of humilty from people in the business world. Another step to starting off ’09 on the right foot is making sure all of your outsourced jobs are in check. Make sure who ever does your accounting, web hosting, advertising and marketing, or anything else out-souced is doing the most efficient, cost effective job for you. For example if you are paying $20 for web hosting consider switching hosts. http://www.TheBlueKingdom.com offers hosting at $3.99. It is the small desicions that add up over time and make your business successful. We can always be better, because no one is perfect. Good luck!

]]> By: Tom's Orchid Flowers Help http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-249114 Tom's Orchid Flowers Help Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:09:05 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-249114 >>Make a list of customers who were with you on January 1, 2008 but aren’t still with you today. Then, swallow your pride and pick up the phone.<< Drew, best advice I read sofar in 2009 - It really pays off to work on reactivating old customers - it brings you insight why they don't buy anymore (and what you can improve) and also some new sales. All the best for 2009. Tom >>Make a list of customers who were with you on January 1, 2008 but aren’t still with you today. Then, swallow your pride and pick up the phone.<<

Drew, best advice I read sofar in 2009 – It really pays off to work on reactivating old customers – it brings you insight why they don’t buy anymore (and what you can improve) and also some new sales.

All the best for 2009.
Tom

]]> By: Drew McLellan http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-249095 Drew McLellan Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:52:43 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-249095 Adam, I know...I just caught it too. I'm still dating checks '08 as well. By February, I'll get it right! Drew Adam,

I know…I just caught it too. I’m still dating checks ’08 as well. By February, I’ll get it right!

Drew

]]> By: Derick Schaefer http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-249081 Derick Schaefer Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:43:19 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-249081 I could not agree more than simply asking a client or former client their opinion. I think it is a great strategy. However, sometimes, you can't keep up with the numbers especially when you are in a non-repeat business. If I were to suggest an email survey, you might say, TOO IMPERSONAL. But, sometimes, this is what a client wants when they've utilized your service. I'm really only aware of what we use which is Constant Contact (http://www.goconstantcontact.com). Who else is using other services to accomplish this? Is it working? I could not agree more than simply asking a client or former client their opinion. I think it is a great strategy. However, sometimes, you can’t keep up with the numbers especially when you are in a non-repeat business. If I were to suggest an email survey, you might say, TOO IMPERSONAL. But, sometimes, this is what a client wants when they’ve utilized your service.

I’m really only aware of what we use which is Constant Contact (http://www.goconstantcontact.com). Who else is using other services to accomplish this? Is it working?

]]> By: Adam http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/1138/what-will-be-different-in-09/comment-page-1/#comment-248972 Adam Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:33:06 +0000 http://www.smallbusinessbranding.com/?p=1138#comment-248972 Start 2008 off, you say? ;) Otherwise, good post ~ Not something I'd imagine people would think to do. Start 2008 off, you say? ;)

Otherwise, good post ~ Not something I’d imagine people would think to do.

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