How to earn customers who stick

Last week I signed up with TrafficSynergy.com - an affiliate marketing company which is now also based in South Africa. When I signed up I had to give contact information which is the norm for most online registrations. The information asked for also included an option to fill-in my Skype contact details.

Usually I fill in the required information simply because the registration will not proceed without it. I enter the info and I never expect it to be used - ever.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I was contacted through a text message on Skype by the TrafficSynergy representative who is now my personal contact at the company. She informed me that her role was to be available to answer any questions I may have and to be of any assistance she could to me.

What a nice personal touch! I now have Shelley on my Skype list and when next I have a question all I have to do is give her a call or text her.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners take note - the personal touch from your company is critical as you build relationships with clients. Personally I do not like standard email responses from a company with which I have just signed up. The message I receive is "Thanks for helping us make money" rather than "Thanks for partnering with us. How can we help you?".

We need to ensure that relationships are the top priority in our business - it is the new economic model. Relationships are key - work hard at developing and maintaining them.