Using social media is a fun way to stay in touch with the customers who love your company and the products you offer. Many people are very willing to “like” or “follow” businesses they’ve had good experiences with. It’s also a great way to advertise big sales or specials to your devoted fans. Millions of people log into their social media accounts every day, sometimes even multiple times a day, and the more you are able to put your company out there, the better chance you’ll have of people remembering you when they need a product you have.

Social media is also a great way to improve customer service. If someone is offended by your company, they’ll most likely want to tell all their friends about it so their friends don’t have the same experience. Therefore, many people complain about companies on social media where they’ll be heard loud and clear. This can really hurt a company if they don’t have a good social media presence and can catch these comments early on. If you apologize to your customer and try to make amends on social media as well, the people you may have offended will realize that you are listening to them and really do appreciate their business.

These are just a few reasons why having a strong social media presence can improve your business. There are many options you could use to improve your social media, including: offering contests online, updating your social media pages at least once a day, and answering any questions or concerns people may write on your social media accounts.

The two keys we’re going to touch on today go hand in hand with one another, they are determination and persistence. We have talked at length on how the majority of people you speak with are not going to be all-in after following up just one time. You’re going to have to be determined to get that new client or account that you know will benefit your business. The reason you’ll need determination is because you will face obstacles along the way that could stop you, but if you’re determined you’ll be able to overcome them.

If you are determined you might be able to have great success in following up with your perspective clients, but if your determined and persistent you will definitely be successful. Persistence requires planning and consistency to go along with your determination.  You want to continually follow-up with people, but be sure that you’re contacting them in a way that isn’t rude or annoying. Depending on the business that might mean a weekly email and or hand-written note, but if you are persistent and determined to get that new client you will get them.

As you are relaying your message, do note that marketing a service business is different from marketing a product. For service businesses, the old saying that “People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” is true. In contrast to products which can be seen, touched, or smelled for a customer to make a purchase.

To assist in building trust with a target account, direct contact and follow-up are considered to be the most effective marketing strategies. Follow-up helps your small service business to be visible and to develop trust in relationships. And if target account likes and trusts (you) your small business then eventually a sale will occur.

Below are a few tactics that small business service firms can use to follow-up.

• Bump into meetings: One of my favorite tactics for connecting with those busy and hard to reach key contacts. Scour the Internet; check their organization’s web site or Linked in profile to review Contact’s professional affiliations, associations or even favorite sports team. If you find that person is a regular participant at a particular industry association meeting then go there and have a bump into meeting i.e. your “planned coincidence” in meeting you here.

• Personal handwritten letter: See previous blog articles which talked about the power and uniqueness in marketplace when using handwritten letters.

• Extend invitations: To industry association luncheons, sporting events, or to a simple cup of coffee does wonders in helping to develop relationships.

• Send an email link to an interesting article or mail copy of article: This shows you listen and that you care about their overall success in their role at xyz organization and as a person.

In the ebook “Your Money is in the Follow-up: The Why, When, Where, What, Who, and How to Follow up Guide for Small Businesses” you can learn many more follow-up marketing tactics to use to help grow your small service business. For more information – http://www.yourmoneyisinthefollowup.com/books/

That’s it for now. We welcome your comments or questions, which you can place in the box below.

1. Contact List: Whether you prefer to use your phone, tablet or address book, you’ll want to make sure you always have your contact list available so you can add to it through your networking opportunities. This will make it easier to follow up with potential customers you meet at social events or other gatherings.

2. Stationary: As mentioned in this previous post, a handwritten note is the most powerful business tool to use for follow up. Always have a good supply of professional stationary on hand so you can send a handwritten note in a timely manner.

3. Business Cards: Once you make the initial contact, you want to make it easy for them to find you. A business card is a simple, yet effective, way to present them with your contact information and business website to help them learn more about you and what you can offer them.

What items have you found are essential to put in your follow up marketing tools chest?

Please leave your comment below.

Follow up is essential to your business. If your follow up is systematized it will be more effective. Every business will have a different model that will be effective with their client base. There are many variables that come into play regarding a good follow up system for your company. You will need to make adjustments by listening to the feedback you receive from your clients.

Possible Customer Follow Up System:

• Day 1  – Email them and welcome them on as a client.
• Day 1  – Send a welcome card to their home with a hand written message.
• Day 1  – Send them a welcoming tweet over Twitter.
• Day 1  – Post a photo with the new client on Facebook.
• 1 week – Give the new client a follow up phone call checking to insure they’re happy.
• 1 month – Send a card  with a hand written message, “You’ve been with us for a month and we want to make sure you’re happy”
• 1 month– Send tweet on twitter similar to the 1 month card.
• 2 months – Another follow up phone call “checking in”.

You can tailor your follow up system to meet the needs of your clients. A point of emphasis should be to have continued contact with your clients. So you can stay in tune with them. Allowing you to give the client what they want, before they even know they want it. Your follow up should be systematized so that it runs like clockwork with your clients.  They will appreciate your follow up and grow to expect it from you.