Tammy Vasbinder | Owner
Instead of pounding the pavement for new customers each day, re-engage past customers. It costs you more time and money to attract and land a new customer than it does to keep an existing one. These customers are already familiar with your service and your company, and they have bought your products before. They are your target market. You don’t have to sell them - they were already a customer!
If you contact a past customer, and they had a bad experience with your company, IT’S OKAY! I once had a client yell at me about his last rep and how terrible their service was, their follow up, how the wrong copy always ran, etc. After he was done yelling, I told him that I was sorry to hear about his experience and explained to him how I would’ve handled the situation. By the end of the conversation, we were laughing with one another. We scheduled a meeting and he turned out to be one of my biggest clients.
Also, as a consumer, I personally don't like how companies have these exciting, new offers for new clients only. What about the clients that have been working with you for years? Consider implementing a promotion for your loyal customers, and show them how much they are appreciated.
Here are some ways to reach out to your past customers:
1. Pick up the phone, and have a conversation with the intent to schedule a meeting.
2. Send them a personal e-mail thanking them for their business in the past, and ask them if they have any needs at the moment. Perhaps you can incorporate a tip in the e-mail that can help the client in some way.
3. E-mail them a survey asking how they liked your product, what was their favorite part working with your company, or was there anything they didn’t like. Be very specific in your survey.
4. Add them to your newsletter or e-mail marketing. You have to make it compelling though!
5. Create a direct mail campaign targeted to past customers with a great call to action. Vast Strategies can help you incorporate an online media campaign that coincides with your direct mail piece to your past customers.
If you have any questions or need help with any of it, I’m here for you! Email me at tammy@vaststrategies.com.