Finding a way to stand out in any given field can be a tough thing to do. You’re faced with businesses who’ve been around longer than you, have more cash flow behind them and have big, fancy clients. You could spend a ton of cash on marketing efforts to force your way forward in your industry, or you could save some capital and focus on building strong relationships.
The most solid way that any entrepreneur can create a successful business is through a client base that’s loyal and promotes them to new clients. But how do you build relationships with people that lead to this type of client? On a recent episode of Bond Appetit, I spoke to Tofe Evans, and among the many topics we talked about, one was on the subject of selflessness. This is, at its core, what building relationships is about and is one of the easiest ways that business owners can create their own success.
Give Consistently, Receive Occasionally
Relationships are meant to be mutually beneficial to all parties involved. However, the business owner who’s successful at building strong and lasting relationships always puts the focus on their clients and their needs, and what they can provide to them. When your clients know that you genuinely care about them and their needs, they’ll keep coming back time after time.
Step in Without Being Asked
There are very few business owners who will step in to help their clients or colleagues before they ask for help. Those who build incredible relationships pay attention to when their customers require a little bit of extra help without a price tag being attached. This might be by offering to provide something extra on top of the agreed product or service, or it might just be being available to listen to a situation they’re struggling with. The more open you are, the better the foundation your relationship with your client will be.
Give Something Valuable Away
The common approach for business owners is to keep their products and services locked away behind a wall of pricing. While giving everything that you do away for free is a poor financial approach, giving away one thing to your customers for free can make sense. When you give something away that someone needs, you instantly create a connection with that person. This will, in turn, bring them back to you again when they need something more.
Building connections and relationships with people is key to the success of any business, and the more you give in your relationships, the stronger they will be. This will result in a solid customer base and be the foundation your business’ success is built on. Good karma business works for everyone.
Listen to my entire conversation with Tofe Evans here.
http://www.bond-appetit.com/tofe-evans/
Author: Ronsley Vaz
Ronsley is the founder & chief day dreamer at AMPLIFY. He is an author, speaker & serial entrepreneur.
He has a Masters’ degree in Software Engineering and an MBA in Psychology and Leadership. He is known as the creator of We Are Podcast – the first Podcasting Conference in the Southern Hemisphere, and the host of The Bond Appetit Podcast and Should I Start a Podcast. He has an audience of over 3 million in 133 countries.