As the owner of a brand-new startup, you may have the tech prowess, business sense, and people skills that often comprise the personality of a successful entrepreneur. Still, understanding how to combine these skills to engage and keep new customers can be a challenge. Splitting your time effectively between running your business and connecting with your clients may also be difficult in the initial stages of running your startup when you are doing most or all of the work on your own.
Running an effective small business often depends on engaging your customers directly. Learn how to go deeper to connect with your clients and convert them into satisfied return customers by following three helpful approaches to business administration.
1. Contact New Clients Directly
New entrepreneurs who own and operate an online store often have the most success when they make it a point to connect with their new clients on an individual basis. If a customer places an order, follow up with a personalized thank-you note or email so the buyer knows their business is valued. Small companies, locally owned businesses, or mom-and-pop shops are often preferred by customers because of their personalized touches.
2. Prioritize LLC Formation
New business owners are often overwhelmed by the amount of administrative work involved in running a startup — and this stress can be a reason why many businesses do not do as well as their owners hoped. Registering your business and using an online formation service to start an LLC can help you decrease the amount of paperwork you have to tackle every year.
Research tax and business laws in your area. Though it may seem like extra work now, you will reap the benefits of forming your LLC down the road when it enables you to sidestep extra paperwork and safeguard your personal assets.
3. Look for Signs of Customer Disengagement
While you and your team stay busy searching for ways to engage customers, don’t forget to keep an eye out for unengaged customers who may be quietly taking their business elsewhere — even if your establishment is virtual. These signs of disinterest may be subtle, but they’re worth paying attention to since they can represent clients who need a bit of extra attention and personalized service from your team. Consider working with a skilled consultant from William C. Rawe Consulting Group who may be able to better spot the signs of detached customers and other organizational issues.
Disengagement may appear with a sudden drop in social media followers, or it can take on the form of subpar online reviews. Another more subtle sign may involve the acquisition of several new clients every month who never return for a second purchase.
Learning how to run a new enterprise effectively and understanding how to turn prospects into happy, loyal customers can feel like two drastically different fields of study. With the right intentions and a willingness to learn, you can soon improve the operation of your startup and implement a number of vital new skills to help your business thrive.