The Know, Like and Trust Factor
People do business that they know, like, and trust. If a person doesn’t know, like, or trust you, they will never do business with you. In 2020, many businesses learned this the hard way. It is not 2022 and we are almost halfway through the year. So, we going to give you some tips that will help you finish the year strong and start the New Year even stronger.
Focus On Building Lifelong Relationships.
You should treat your customers, potential clients, and your team as you would someone with whom you hope to build a lasting, lifelong relationship. Relationships are what saves many from career destruction. Putting people first is the best way you can invest in your business. Strong relationships are like Miracle-Gro for a small business. If you invest in others they will in turn invest in you. To quote the legendary American auto executive Lee Iacocca: “Business, after all, is nothing more than a bunch of human relationships.
If 81% of customers trust family and friends over advice from a business, then at least try to treat your customers like family. Sometimes, it can be as simple as making sure a customer feels heard. 2020 was a tough year for everyone; investing in relationships can look like basic listening and empathy.
Know And Focus On Your Core Customer.
With so much competing for our attention, it’s more crucial than ever to connect to customers and clients who will have a genuine interest in your products or services. It’s absolutely crucial that you identify your core demographic and focus your marketing strategy directly on them.
Create Connections that Build Loyalty
Being able to connect with your clients is crucial if you want to make sure you build brand loyalty. In order for your clients to trust you they have to feel like there is a connection with you. That connection is the confidence that your client has in you and your capabilities in providing them with a product or service.
We all have heard about Return on Investment (ROI) – a performance metric used to evaluate the effectiveness of money being spent and the profit that it yields. If we look from a relationship perspective, a new and more effective term can be of use – Return on Relationship (ROR). It can provide deeper insights into the effectiveness of a business’s personality and its ability to connect with people.
“ROR (Return on Relationship) is the value accrued by a person or a brand due to nurturing a relationship. ROI (Return on Investment) is simple dollars and cents. ROR is the value (perceived and real) that will accrue over time through loyalty, recommendations, and sharing.”
How To Create Business Relationships
Treat People Like Your Friends And Family
People buy from people they like. Treat them like you would treat your friends and family. Be yourself, be vulnerable, and show a personal interest in the other person in addition to the business value that you already offer.
Focus On Mutual Success
Focus on the success of others and be honest. No one wants to work with someone who is in it for themselves. The best business relationships we have happened when we focused on mutual success and trust. We know that when times get tough, we’ll be in it together.
Focus On Relational Value, Not Transactional Value
Cultivate your network and relationships each day. Don’t approach people in a transactional nature. Meet with them or call periodically. Get to know their needs, values, and what drives them. Ask yourself, “How can I be of service and value to them?” Remember, it isn’t about you but about them. They will remember how you made them feel. If you focus on these areas when building business relationships, you will find your business will grow healthier and quicker.
Sometimes the best way to avoid having a regular customer is by building a relationship that lasts past selling.
by Katrice Johnson
I’m a graphic designer and web designer. I am also the author of three books and working on my fourth now.
For more information about me and how I can help you with your business, please go to my website Graphic Grooves Consulting
