Customer Service Revival


I’ve decided to start my own ministry, and my first order of business will be a customer service revival. Will you join me?

Funny as that may seem, the exodus of customer service has been evolving for several years. The latest downturn in the economy has simply caused a bigger impact on customer service, I believe, due to lay- offs and cut backs in middle management and through the downsizing of staff in general, leaving remaining staffers overwhelmed and overloaded doing the job of many.
 
As independent contractors, and small business owners, we have a higher level of control over the results our clients experience through our work together, and the perception of our level of client care.
 
I’m still relatively picky about who I work with, meaning I totally understand my target market, and why matching our business personalities and acumen are so important. I find referring prospects to other providers that better fit their need, simply brings my level of service up a notch.
 
By not working with people who don’t share similar business strategies and standards, I minimize the number of service challenges that could or would be presented to me. Not that I mind being faced with a dilemma or two for its learning opportunities, but to me, it all reverts back to something I learned the hard way, when I first started my business.
 
“The customer is ALWAYS right!” Okay, I know, literally speaking, the customer isn’t always right, but sometimes no matter what I say, or how I say it, I may never be able to convince someone that what they’ve perceived as bad service, isn’t just that.
 
Even if the client is totally at fault, how I address the situation and solve it to some satisfaction makes all the difference. Knowing that I may never be able to satisfy someone, and understanding that I have no control over it, helps me to stay focused on the end result.
 
I have found that making sure that I only do business with those clients that fit my business model, alleviates a lot of these situations.  
 
So let’s make a pact to revive customer service at all levels by establishing good client relations, increased service standards, and give our clients the best possible experience. I believe my business has grown in a more positive direction because of it, which allows me to continue to provide those services I am most passionate about doing.
 
Jeannine Clontz, IVAA CVA, MVA, EthicsChecked™, provides marketing and social media support, training and consulting to busy entrepreneurs. For information about finding a VA, download her FREE 10-Step Guide to Finding the Right VA, or to learn why Social Media should be an important part of your marketing plan with her FREE Report, Social Media Marketing Benefits, visit: http://www.accbizsvcs.com, or contact her at info@accbizsvsc.com
 
 
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Are You Like a Salmon When Looking for New Clients?


In my former life, I was a purchasing agent for a seafood company. This time of year reminds me of the salmon runs. During the summer months, many wild salmon species take the journey back to their birthplace to spawn and ultimately end their lives. 

Their upstream journey is a challenging one, swimming against rugged rapids, leaping over rocky waterfalls, traversing fish
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Five Ways to Grow Your Business to Six or Seven Figures!


Ever wondered how your competitors generate six and seven figures incomes? As a professional in your field or niche, you face many challenges when marketing and promoting yourself to achieve six and seven figure incomes. 

As we’ve helped more and more professionals grow their business through traditional and Internet marketing and social media, I’ve found several underutilized ways to entice the world
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Why Reveal Your Prospect’s Objections?


One of the questions I ask during the prospect interview process is, “Have you ever worked with an independent contractor before?” – the response this elicits helps me to determine if there are any negative past experiences that might present itself as an objection throughout the interview process.

Objections are an important part of the process and create opportunities for
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Top Five Reasons I Prefer 1ShoppingCart


Thanks to my coaching and speaker clients, I have been exposed to several shopping cart options. While each of them has similar features and benefits, I have found 1ShoppingCart (1SC) to be THE most effective system with all the best options for most of my clients who have products and services to sell.

Here are five reasons I prefer 1SC:
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Four Tips to Going Viral (Part Two)


Last week we looked at the length and tone of your video to keep your audience engaged and willing to help your video go viral. We close out our four tips by understanding the advantages of the lead-in and content.

Craft the Lead-In
 
Like a lead-in
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Four Tips to Going Viral with Your Video (Part One)


These powerful viral video techniques that will help you kick-start your campaign, ramp up word-of-mouth and put your video center in the spotlight.

By incorporating key viral qualities into your video, your target audience will be more likely to spread it online via email, social media and bookmarking sites like Stumbleupon, digg, and delicious, and on personal blogs and company
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Build Trust Through Email Marketing Content (Part Two)


Last week we discussed giving more than you gain in your email marketing pieces, as well as, keeping promises. We close this discussion with important insights on proofreading and how best to communicate.

3. Proofread your emails.
 
While I would think this goes without
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Build Trust Through Email Marketing Content (Part One)


Your email copy plays an immensely important role in gaining trust from subscribers. While the quality of information is still the most important element, there are a lot of other factors to consider. Listed below are those I find most important.

1. Give more than what you might gain.
 
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Five Facebook Fan Page Success Strategies


In recent years, having an Internet presence for your business meant putting up a website. While still an important feature for promoting your business, a website is no longer enough. Web 2.0, or the social web, is an essential feature of a successful marketing plan to reach your clientele.

Facebook is considered one of the leaders of social
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