Ten Tips to Keep in Touch & Cultivate Loyal Clients

Feature Article: Ten Tips to Keep in Touch & Cultivate Loyal Clients

Business Owner in the Spotlight
Brian Schwartz
50 Interviews Inc.

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Make-it-Fly is six years old this week! ISSN# 1552-3705

April 21, 2009
Volume 6, Issue 8
Birthday Issue!

"In-Flight Refueling" is published twice a month.

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This week we celebrate six years of Make-it-Fly! On April 24, 2003, we launched our first Advisory Board 101. We've learned an enormous amount, and have been privileged and humbled to get to know and serve some truly exceptional people.

A week ago, we took time off and enjoyed visiting kids and grandkids (and their horses) in southern Colorado--fun to be with family and refreshing to spend time out of the big city.

We met some very special people last weekend at the Englewood Library Open House, where Victoria was one of the authors exhibiting.

Don't forget the special Birthday Bash Make-it-Fly Café on Thursday, April 30. Sign up online now and save. You can also sign up at Sky-Place.com and find out who else has signed up that you may want to connect with at www.sky-place.com/group/aprilcafe.

Our very best regards,

Dave and Victoria

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Brian Schwartz
50 Interviews Inc.

Brian Schwartz wants more than anything to share wisdom. Not his own, but other people's, those who have acquired knowledge in an area and are ready to share it in book form. "I'm leading a new wave of purpose-driven correspondents to uncover new truths and acquire the mindset of masters," he says. "The correspondents become authors and establish themselves as credible experts, becoming the new catalysts in their field, fueling their passion and fulfilling a purpose greater than themselves."

50 Interviews is the framework Brian teaches. His company produces the interviews into a finished form ready for printing. "Having a book at the end of the effort not only puts the author one on one with those they probably would have otherwise never met," Brian says, "but also captures all the 'Cliffs Notes' into a structure that will serve them and others for years to come. It's publishing with a purpose to move authors into that which they aspire and share the wisdom they acquire along the way."

Q: What do you find most fulfilling about running your business?
BS: Seeing the transformation the other correspondents (those who are authoring other titles in the series) go through. They are discovering new truths, gaining clarity on their own unique purpose and receiving validation on their chosen endeavor. They, like me, are expanding their network of mentors rapidly and adopting the required mindset and the confidence of those who have gone before them.

Q: What motivated you to start this business?
BS: I can point it to a single question a friend asked me back in early 2008. He asked "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" My answer: "If you had asked me that 10 years ago, I would have never said here." And I meant that very negatively. My own answer to that question revealed that I had not achieved what I had hoped to in life. It lit a fire under me like never before. I don't have a background in publishing, but I do have over 10 years doing interviews (in the form of a sales call), and I had a passion for writing in college; but that was a calling I never chose to pursue. The one big advantage I have over other authors is that I'm an extrovert. Most authors tend to be are introverts.

Q: What book has been most helpful to you in your business?
BS: It's not a book, but I would have to credit Landmark Education for giving me more than I had ever learned up to that point. It's an organization producing some amazing results. They stay under the radar because the earlier form of it, EST, was attacked by the media.

Q: Who has influenced you most in your life?
BS: If I had to name a single person, it would be my wife. But it's been a culmination of several people I've met along the way. In high school, it was my boss at a construction company I worked for. In college, it was one of my professors. Through my career, it seems like every couple of years, someone would come into my life and fill that role. Today it's Tom Frey, Rob McNealy and Braun Mincher.

Q: What has proved to be your most successful marketing strategy?
BS: Networking and social media combined with some positive traditional media coverage. I'm running into people more and more who say 'I've heard about you.' It's a great feeling to know that I'm making an impact.

Q: What have been the greatest challenges you have had to overcome, or are currently facing, in your business?
BS: For the last year, I had been supplementing my startup costs with a part-time job. As of this month (April 2009), that income stream is going away. Since I have a higher burn rate than I would like at the moment, the biggest challenge is focusing on the right activities that will produce income. They aren't always the most exciting aspects of the business, but I appreciate they need to be addressed to sustain the business.

Q: How did you benefit from participating in a Make-it-Fly® board?
BS: Being associated with Make-it-Fly® has brought a higher level of credibility to my business, equal to or greater than the credibility you gain from joining a chamber of commerce. I wasn't sure what I was going to get from the advisory board, but it gave me exactly what I needed. In my case, it helped to take a good look at my business from a different perspective, to see it how others see it. It transformed my commitment to 50 Interviews and helped me refine my mission.

Q: What would you say to other business owners who are contemplating getting involved in a Make-it-Fly® board?
BS: I think everyone will get something different out of their participation on a board, but trust that it will give you what you need, although no one can predict what that is. Just trust it will be revealed at some point. It's a great structure to get truly honest feedback from your peers.

Brian Schwartz can be reached by phone at: 1-970-215-1078, or visit his web site at: www.50interviews.com.

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Dave’s Networking Nugget:

Networking is more than meeting people at events. When you read about someone who really interests you, whether in a newspaper, professional publication, blog or an online forum, reach out and connect with that person. Tell him or her what caught your attention, and why you'd like to connect and perhaps get to know them better.

Ten Tips to Keep in Touch
and Cultivate Loyal Clients with Creative Communication
By Victoria Munro

We know that marketing to existing clients returns at least five times more bottom-line profit than the same dollar spent on marketing to acquire new clients. It just makes sense to take excellent care of current clients. Keep in constant touch with them and let them know you care. If you don't, your competitor will. Below are ten tip-ideas to help you creatively stay connected with your current clients and turn them into loyal fans.

1.	Besides your regular newsletters, send letters and emails. Share something that will be of genuine value to them (books, articles, information and/or appropriate networking opportunities). Knowing and keeping in mind what they are passionate about will help you to be effective at this.
2.	Call them sometimes with no sales agenda, just to see how they’re doing. Maybe ask if they have any needs you could help with.
3.	Occasionally, arrange to meet in person. *Ask questions and listen, and always give your undivided attention*. Remember to turn off your cell phone. Make them feel important and special.
4.	Make an effort to understand your clients’ needs and introduce them to others who could be of help to them.
5.	Follow up promptly on referrals they give you. Thank them and keep them apprised of your progress.
6.	Ask for their help. People like to help others.
7.	Schedule a phone call a day or two after every service performed to make sure that the client was satisfied with the work. If you sell big-ticket products or services, call and ask if you can offer any assistance, and make sure your products and/or services are living up to the client’s expectations.
8.	Host client appreciation events.
9.	Give gifts. No need to spend a fortune—be creative. Use your imagination.
10.	When you’re in their area, stop by their office just to ask how they’re doing and if there are any ways you can help.

Be sure to keep your promises to your clients! Follow through on what you said you’d do. And always, always, always be sincere! Be real, authentic and true to who you are.

There are more ideas on how to turn your clients into a dynamic sales team that will spread the word about you and your business in the ebookThere’s a Goldmine in Your Backyard.

Click here for printable version.

Click here to read more articles like this one.

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Marketing in a Down Economy – Tip #5 of 5

Stay in touch with past and current satisfied customers. Ask for referrals. Create a referral rewards program and announce it. When talking to clients, find an opportunity to ask for any referrals. If a client is giving you accolades about your product or service, you could simply say something like, "Well, I'm glad you are so pleased. If you know of anyone else who would be in need of our services and would enjoy the same satisfaction you get from doing business with us, please don't hesitate to send them our way. We appreciate referrals."

Marketing tip by Beth Boen of CreativeXchange Marketing

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Wanted: People with a Passion and Heart to Help
Small Business Owners

Have you ever wished you could work with like-minded business professionals to grow your own business, while doing work that results in major positive changes in lives and businesses?

Make-it-Fly®, Your Small Business Board of Advisors, has been changing the lives of small business owners and professionals in the Denver metro area for six years through peer advisory boards. We are now looking for franchisees with heart and passion to do the same in their communities.

After testing and perfecting our advisory board system with more than 800 clients, we are expanding. If you have a sales and/or marketing background, outstanding people skills and want to invest in your own business with a team committed to your success, we’d like to talk to you.

Contact Dave Block - 720-962-8888.

READING THIS AD? THEN WHY NOT PUT YOURS HERE TOO? The In-Flight Refueling Ezine reaches more than 2,700 entrepreneurs, small-biz owners, consultants and marketers. Reserve your advertising spot today in the next In-Flight Refueling Ezine,
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Paid Advertising Disclaimer: Make-it-Fly® LLC does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the paid advertisements above or the quality of any products, services, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad. It's common sense to do your own due diligence before purchasing any product.

The Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101

Each Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 program consists of 12 non-competing business owners who meet once a month for three consecutive months. In the spirit of giving, they offer each other solutions, ideas, resources and encouragement. Dave and Victoria facilitate each group and share powerful tools to assist business owners in reaching their goals and living more balanced lives.

If you have experienced a Make-it-Fly® program, please share the following openings with other business owners who need support. Call Dave for more information at 720-962-8888.

Programs are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Current program openings in Denver:

Fridays - May 1, June 5, July 10, August 7
Tuesdays - May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18 - NW Denver
Mondays - July 6, August 3, August 31, October 5

Click here to sign up for Advisory Boards.
Or call Dave at 720-962-8888.

Alumni Boards are groups of 12-14 small business owners who have participated in at least one Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 and wish to continue the support and accountability with a group of like-minded, giving business associates. Members meet once a month for a three-hour meeting. If you completed the initial Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 and are interested in more information on Alumni Boards, call Dave at 720-962-8888.

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