Comments on: 10 Ways to Build Relationships and Keep Clients for Life http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609 The #1 Blog-a-zine for entrepreneurial news, help, and resources. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:30:23 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rod http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-1001 Rod Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:00:24 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-1001 You know what? I honestly believe that if people would focus more on teaching, networking, and going the extra mile for their customers - they'd be richer on a level that money can't take them. It's all in what you're passionate about and not in trying to make a quick buck. Thanks for the comment man. You know what? I honestly believe that if people would focus more on teaching, networking, and going the extra mile for their customers – they'd be richer on a level that money can't take them. It's all in what you're passionate about and not in trying to make a quick buck. Thanks for the comment man.

]]> By: steveborgman http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-996 steveborgman Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:24:21 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-996 Teaching, networking, and going the extra mile. That's what I think you and so many other excellent small business owners do, Rod. It's a great lesson for employees, bloggers, and everyone else to follow! Teaching, networking, and going the extra mile. That's what I think you and so many other excellent small business owners do, Rod. It's a great lesson for employees, bloggers, and everyone else to follow!

]]> By: The Used Car Salesman’s Guide to Social Media Marketing | The Success Center http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-473 The Used Car Salesman’s Guide to Social Media Marketing | The Success Center Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:55:51 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-473 [...] “make them feel like you care,” because you really do (at least you should). Here are a 10 tips on building relationships and here are a few more;I find that Facebook is great for cultivating relationships since it really [...] [...] “make them feel like you care,” because you really do (at least you should). Here are a 10 tips on building relationships and here are a few more;I find that Facebook is great for cultivating relationships since it really [...]

]]> By: jtrigsby http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-945 jtrigsby Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:36:43 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-945 As always my business ninja buddy, you have hit the nail on the head! The simple act of listening to a client can make the difference between a single sale and a lifelong client. I used to be very bad about tuning out when my clients would drone on and on about how they're having such a hard time with {fill in the need here, I'll say problems with their race horse}. I didn't care... I wasn't there to talk about their race horse woes... now lets get on with OUR meeting. It frustrates me today to remember specific conversations like that over the years, because now I know that if I'd listen, I may be able to put them in touch with someone else I know that DOES care about... whatever.<br><br>The point is, as service providers we struggle with how to deepen and broaden our product lines within our client organizations, and that's fine. But what if we can do that by adding value to our client's lives with a connection. Not to mention how we've just helped our our friend the race horse trainer! Now we've just given something to both of them that they will both be grateful for and it didn't cost us anything!<br><br>The other coin I'll toss in the fountain here is follow through. Its so simple it seems silly to mention, but how many times have you called a service provider, left a message and they never called you back. If you're clients are attempting to connect with you, they've already done the hardest thing they'll have to do... go beyond your barrier to entry and reached out. DO NOT let that go to waste!<br><br>Great post Rod, love your stuff! Keep 'em coming man... they're awesome!<br><br>@jtrigsby As always my business ninja buddy, you have hit the nail on the head! The simple act of listening to a client can make the difference between a single sale and a lifelong client. I used to be very bad about tuning out when my clients would drone on and on about how they're having such a hard time with {fill in the need here, I'll say problems with their race horse}. I didn't care… I wasn't there to talk about their race horse woes… now lets get on with OUR meeting. It frustrates me today to remember specific conversations like that over the years, because now I know that if I'd listen, I may be able to put them in touch with someone else I know that DOES care about… whatever.

The point is, as service providers we struggle with how to deepen and broaden our product lines within our client organizations, and that's fine. But what if we can do that by adding value to our client's lives with a connection. Not to mention how we've just helped our our friend the race horse trainer! Now we've just given something to both of them that they will both be grateful for and it didn't cost us anything!

The other coin I'll toss in the fountain here is follow through. Its so simple it seems silly to mention, but how many times have you called a service provider, left a message and they never called you back. If you're clients are attempting to connect with you, they've already done the hardest thing they'll have to do… go beyond your barrier to entry and reached out. DO NOT let that go to waste!

Great post Rod, love your stuff! Keep 'em coming man… they're awesome!

@jtrigsby

]]> By: Rod http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-944 Rod Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:30:32 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-944 You've got the right idea Trina! Building relationships is deeper than just customer service. "I prefer to make my purchases from small businesses for this reason. Nothing seems more contridictory than to be placed on hold for twenty minutes listening to a recorded mesage about how "important my call is to you"." It's this exact reason that small business owners have the advantage over big business! You've got the right idea Trina! Building relationships is deeper than just customer service. “I prefer to make my purchases from small businesses for this reason. Nothing seems more contridictory than to be placed on hold for twenty minutes listening to a recorded mesage about how “important my call is to you”.” It's this exact reason that small business owners have the advantage over big business!

]]> By: Rod http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-942 Rod Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:57:20 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-942 Thanks, Steve, glad you found some value in it. Feel free to share it with as many people as possible! Thanks, Steve, glad you found some value in it. Feel free to share it with as many people as possible!

]]> By: TrinaDionneTilson http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-943 TrinaDionneTilson Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:47:41 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-943 I appreciate very much the idea of building relationships with clients rather than simply providing customer service. The investment will always "pay off". I prefer to make my purchases from small businesses for this reason. Nothing seems more contridictory than to be placed on hold for twenty minutes listening to a recorded mesage about how "important my call is to you". Great article here, Rod! I appreciate very much the idea of building relationships with clients rather than simply providing customer service. The investment will always “pay off”. I prefer to make my purchases from small businesses for this reason. Nothing seems more contridictory than to be placed on hold for twenty minutes listening to a recorded mesage about how “important my call is to you”. Great article here, Rod!

]]> By: Steve Lack http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-941 Steve Lack Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:53:53 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-941 Great post Rod. I've passed it along to my clients in the media production and post-production industry. It's very relevant to any business. Great post Rod. I've passed it along to my clients in the media production and post-production industry. It's very relevant to any business.

]]> By: jtrigsby http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-345 jtrigsby Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:36:43 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-345 As always my business ninja buddy, you have hit the nail on the head! The simple act of listening to a client can make the difference between a single sale and a lifelong client. I used to be very bad about tuning out when my clients would drone on and on about how they're having such a hard time with {fill in the need here, I'll say problems with their race horse}. I didn't care... I wasn't there to talk about their race horse woes... now lets get on with OUR meeting. It frustrates me today to remember specific conversations like that over the years, because now I know that if I'd listen, I may be able to put them in touch with someone else I know that DOES care about... whatever.<br><br>The point is, as service providers we struggle with how to deepen and broaden our product lines within our client organizations, and that's fine. But what if we can do that by adding value to our client's lives with a connection. Not to mention how we've just helped our our friend the race horse trainer! Now we've just given something to both of them that they will both be grateful for and it didn't cost us anything!<br><br>The other coin I'll toss in the fountain here is follow through. Its so simple it seems silly to mention, but how many times have you called a service provider, left a message and they never called you back. If you're clients are attempting to connect with you, they've already done the hardest thing they'll have to do... go beyond your barrier to entry and reached out. DO NOT let that go to waste!<br><br>Great post Rod, love your stuff! Keep 'em coming man... they're awesome!<br><br>@jtrigsby As always my business ninja buddy, you have hit the nail on the head! The simple act of listening to a client can make the difference between a single sale and a lifelong client. I used to be very bad about tuning out when my clients would drone on and on about how they're having such a hard time with {fill in the need here, I'll say problems with their race horse}. I didn't care… I wasn't there to talk about their race horse woes… now lets get on with OUR meeting. It frustrates me today to remember specific conversations like that over the years, because now I know that if I'd listen, I may be able to put them in touch with someone else I know that DOES care about… whatever.

The point is, as service providers we struggle with how to deepen and broaden our product lines within our client organizations, and that's fine. But what if we can do that by adding value to our client's lives with a connection. Not to mention how we've just helped our our friend the race horse trainer! Now we've just given something to both of them that they will both be grateful for and it didn't cost us anything!

The other coin I'll toss in the fountain here is follow through. Its so simple it seems silly to mention, but how many times have you called a service provider, left a message and they never called you back. If you're clients are attempting to connect with you, they've already done the hardest thing they'll have to do… go beyond your barrier to entry and reached out. DO NOT let that go to waste!

Great post Rod, love your stuff! Keep 'em coming man… they're awesome!

@jtrigsby

]]> By: Rod http://www.rodkirby.com/archives/1609/comment-page-1#comment-344 Rod Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:30:32 +0000 http://www.rodkirby.com/?p=1609#comment-344 You've got the right idea Trina! Building relationships is deeper than just customer service. "I prefer to make my purchases from small businesses for this reason. Nothing seems more contridictory than to be placed on hold for twenty minutes listening to a recorded mesage about how "important my call is to you"." It's this exact reason that small business owners have the advantage over big business! You've got the right idea Trina! Building relationships is deeper than just customer service. “I prefer to make my purchases from small businesses for this reason. Nothing seems more contridictory than to be placed on hold for twenty minutes listening to a recorded mesage about how “important my call is to you”.” It's this exact reason that small business owners have the advantage over big business!

]]>