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One can surely need to take the consulting services help from Marketing Gurus. This returns on investing in such efforts are amazing. One great Marketing person I've come accross is Jay Abraham - www.abraham.com

-S

My last position in Customer Service was managing a golf course snack shop at "the turn". My golfers learned quickly that they could expect at least 3 things when they saw me working:1) always a smile on my face2) a clean shop,3) a free cup of coffee. I made great tips, and some great friends.

As far as the girls that worked under me? I let them make their own schedule, and I worked what was left over. The job was to be fun, not stressful, and no one took advantage of me, they appreciated the flexibility.

Going above and beyond in Customer Care should be the NORM....not the exception!

You can slash prices and offer all types of sales promotions at your online business but unless you can create client loyalty, you’ll rarely be successful.  You need to keep clients coming back to your website over and over again.  Sounds easy but how does one create this loyalty?

Stay in regular contact with your clients by sending out a regular newsletter monthly or better yet every other week.

After every sale you have from your website follow up with a client appreciation survey.  It’s a great way to find out what your client really thinks about your business.  Offer them a free gift or discount on their next order as a thank you for filling out the survey.

Why not award a bonus box of chocolates to that client who just made a big purchase from you or signed up as a large retainer client?  Better yet, don’t charge shipping on orders over $100 or give discounts for large retainer packages.

Always respond to inquiries within 24 hours from receipt of the email.  Better yet, respond as soon as they arrive in your email box.  Set your email to notify you of new mail every 15 minutes.  Responding immediately will gain you the upper hand against your competition and most likely land you that next project or retainer client.  Why?  Because the customer feels like you care since you responded so quickly and they are more likely apt to put their service needs into your hands since you appear prompt and efficient.  This extra attention makes them feel you will get their job done on time.

Have a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) area on your website with phone number and email contact visually prominent for anytime they need a question answered.

Send thank you, birthday, get-well cards or a simple Thinking of You e-card to your clients as the occasions arise.  It will bring a smile to their face to know that you thought of them.

Be alert to your client’s interests if you see something like a website that may benefit your client or maybe you read a newspaper article that may relate to your clients business.  Email them the URL or mail them the newspaper clipping.  It makes your customer feel important.

Go that extra mile with your clients.  Always give them more than they expect.  Kindness goes a long way so always be polite on the phone or in online correspondence.  Remember the golden rule too “The Customer is Always Right” whether they are or not.  And if you happen to make a mistake, make sure you make it up to them in a big way with a future discount or freebie on the way to them in the mail tomorrow!

In my business, and what I mentor my Virtual Assistant members to do, is to market by making friends. If making friends doesn't come natural to you, find a coach because the better you are at turning strangers into friends, the more wildly successful your business will be.

People hire those they like. You can be the cream of the crop, have the best education, and boast the most extensive extensive knowledge and experience of anyone in your industry--and all that oftentimes won't make a huge bit of different to potential clients because they don't have the same frame of reference you do.

It might sound crazy, but they'll often hire you based on nothing more than a friendly gesture on your part or taking a liking to your voice. 

And even if you aren't someone who connects easily and effortlessly with people--it's a skill you can learn. Try it. Just talk to your next prospective client as if you were making a new friend.

I totally agree with Danielle. People in general are SO busy these days. Computerized, automated, voices with no faces, press this if you want that, self service, Drive -thru, u buy it-u bag it- u -unload it.

OH, and the Attitude if someone actually DOES have to help you can be merciless.

Being compassionate to another's needs cannot be learned though. It has to come from within, otherwise you just shouldn't be in Customer Service.

Yes, anyone can learn to say How Can I Help You?

But a customer knows the difference.