Monthly Archives: February 2010

4 Keys to More Meaningful Customer Relations

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Companies lose an average of 10 to 30% of their customers each year. Much of this loss can be attributed to poor service. Companies that focus on customer retention tend to see profits grow anywhere from 25 to 100% annually. Nonprofits that focus on customer retention often see reductions in turnover and better results. In business, we all strive to provide outstanding customer service. Unfortunately, we don’t always live up to those ideals. Here are four keys to unlocking richer, more meaningful relationships with your customers:

Learn your customers’ names. Everybody appreciates being recognized when they walk into a place of business, particularly if they visit that company frequently. As the theme song to Cheers puts it, “Sometimes, you want to go where everybody knows your name.” Make a concerted effort to learn the names of the people you come into contact with regularly, and greet them by name whenever possible.
But start with last names first. Of course, before you start addressing customers on a first-name basis, make sure they’re comfortable with this practice. Some customers might find it disrespectful or “too” personal to have you greet them by their first name. Follow the customer’s lead, if possible, or try starting with “Mr. Johnson,” before calling your customer “Bob,” particularly if they are not your peer.
Show genuine appreciation. Let your customers know you’re glad to see them every time they walk through the door. Make an effort to greet people with a warm smile and an enthusiastic hello. Then back it up with outstanding service and a “can do” attitude. Thank your customers when they buy from you, and keep in touch to let them know they’re on your mind… and appreciated for everything they do.
Avoid judgments and negativity. We’ve all heard the adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The same is true of people. Strive to approach each new or prospective customer with an open mind and positive attitude. Don’t rush to judgment based on a first impression. Many times, those initial reactions and snap judgments don’t hold up to the test of time.

http://www.ParagonPress.net

From Profile Cards to Luggage Tags

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Paragon Press Shreveport is offering to print 250 free “profile cards” (they’re like business cards but a little smaller) to anyone. Anyone as in open to the public. The free cards can be redeemed at www.ParagonPressFreeProfileCards.com. What’s the catch? Just follow us on Twitter or become a fan at Facebook.

On the redemption website, let us know who you are, what kind of design you want, and what you want printed on the cards. So I just noticed someone only put their name. Now, at first I thought this person has totally missed the point, but then it occurred to me that I’m the one who has totally missed the point! I’ve been thinking these things have to be used in business card fashion, but they don’t. Try:

  • Luggage tags
  • Property Of: Name
  • Tags for Art Shows
  • This belongs to: Your Name
  • Mini-bookmarks
  • Carefully prepared by: Your Name
  • Compliments of: Your Name

What else could you use these for?

mail@paragonpress.net / www.ParagonPress.net / Over 34 years, #1 in Shreveport, LA for PRINT, DESIGN, MAIL.

Advertising & promoting actually does work!

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Every year in Shreveport, LA, the Mardi Gras season (Feb) is celebrated with lots of parades – the biggest of them being the Krewe of Centaur and Krewe of Gemini parades. These 2 parades have a long route through Shreveport and attracts thousands of parade visitors.

A few of our employees are members of these 2 krewes.

This Saturday, owner Macy Flash and production manager Tina Tomasek are riding on float #21 Bayou Beaus & Babes in the Centaur parade.

Tina and I decided yesterday to do something fun to draw attention to our participation in this popular community event, as well as use our Facebook fan page, Twitter page and email marketing to see if we could garner some interest.

Sooooo, we created a simple sign (see below) with our name and logo on top and “Throw Me Something, Mister!” on the bottom. This is a popular phrase from the New Orleans parades where folks yell it to the floats to get them to throw the folks on the sidewalk beads, toys, cups, etc. We made our sign bright, neon orange.

We sent out emails to all our local friends and we posted it on Facebook and Twitter (“come get your free sign, hold it up to float #21 this Sat, and we’ll throw u something!), and they came.

We only printed 200 and we’re almost out!

The cool thing about this exercise was that sometimes the old formula works – all you have to do is advertise and promote.

Now granted, these signs were free, but it was still a cool thing to put “out there” to current and prospective clients…just trying to be the printer in Shreveport that takes things to the next level!

http://www.ParagonPress.ne

Getting smarter?

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The folks here at Paragon Press continue to research ways to get smarter as it relates to social media marketing, SEO, PPC, web redesign, generating leads, converting leads into sales, etc, etc. It’s truly OVERWHELMING how much information and how many free resources (webinars, e-books, white papers, articles, blogs, e-newsletters, emails, etc) are out there. If someone tells you they’re not up to speed on what’s happening in the world of inbound marketing, it’s because they haven’t logged on to the internet lately, right? I’m grateful for all the info, yet know that we must prioritize and do it little by little, day by day…better than doing nothing at all!

joan@paragonpress.net / www.ParagonPress.net / Over 34 years, #1 in Shreveport, LA for PRINT, DESIGN, MAIL.