The Power of Relationship Marketing

by Denise Ryder

Business is about relationships...the relationships you build with your customers and even other business owners.

The more you communicate with your customers and other affiliates the stronger your relationships. It is through that constant communication, whether following up after someone has signed up for your program, or just passing on a little tip to a fellow business owner...that communication, no matter how small, goes a long way in building trust and creating a rapport. Once you have those two ingredients you are on your way to success!

Building relationships with a customer starts the minute they click to your site. From there they purchase or sign up for your program and you stick with them for life :o) Or you obtain an email address and follow up with them on regular intervals, sharing information that is useful to them, again, building a trust and rapport until they too become a customer of long standing. Incidentally, remember that your customers are your best marketing tactic. Treat your customers they way you want to be treated and they will always refer you to others. Mistreat them and trust me they will tell 10 others about how bad your service/ product is and that just snowballs, and no not in your favour :o(

Fantastic relationships can also be formed through fellow business associates and suppliers. Many business people neglect these two groups without realizing the potential that is there. Through building a relationship with business associates, you have the opportunity of building alliances and creating special offers utilizing the products/services of each others companies. You each also have the chance of expanding your reach and market to each others networks. Building relationships with other businesses and suppliers is a great way to receive referrals as well.

Regardless of whether your relationships are being built around just customers or a combination of all Regardless of whether your relationships are being built around just customers or a combination of all (customers, businesses, suppliers) keep these tips in the forefront of your mind:keep these tips in the forefront of your mind:

1. Call people by their name,

2. Be friendly

3. Be sincere

4. Be general with praise and cautious with criticism

5. Give you word and the follow through and keep it

6. Listen, understand and then respond

Also...treat people the way in which you wish to be treated and you will NEVER go wrong!