Pay attention to the details.



As I have mentioned many times, as a small business owner you have an advantage over the larger businesses because you can provide better and more personal customer service. Another way to stay ahead of the competition is to pay attention to the details. With many companies having payroll cut to the bone, it makes it very hard for them to pay attention to the details and this once again is a chance for you to shine.

One of the ways to pay attention to the details is remembering your customer's names. This was a difficult one for me because I am good at remembering faces but it took me longer to start remembering actual names. However, when you remember a customer's name, you show that you care about them and puts you are a higher level.

One warning about people's names and that is people with difficult spellings and pronunciations. Make sure you ask the person first how their name is pronounced and then practice before calling them by name. The last thing you will want to do is offend a customer you're trying to take care off.

Another detail you will want to pay attention to is deadlines. Plain and simple, if you promise someone it is going to be ready at a certain time or on a certain day, make sure you are done early and have to ready for them.

Nothing will turn customer against you faster than you being late.

Things are going to happen but if something does make sure you take care of your customer. As I have mentioned in the past, there has been a couple of times in the last few years that I have sold on Ebay and shipments have been delayed. Without asking I refunded the customer the shipping charges because it was late. I did not have to do this but I wanted my customer to be happy. I am also happy to say that the customers who had their shipping charges refunded also went on to purchase additional items.

Remember names and make sure you make your deadlines. For more on paying attention to details check out the Freelance Folder Blog.