NEVER LOSE A CUSTOMER

Back in 2006, I was a sponsor for a charity golf tournament and wanted to get custom imprinted golf balls to share with the participants.

Unfortunately, I had waited a little too long to make inquiries and soon discovered there was no way to get them done in time for the event. I was a little disappointed, but had nobody to blame except myself.

One firm went the extra mile to try to help me get the job done, and I really liked the way their account manager treated me. So I told her to be sure and call me next year in July to remind me so I can order them for the late September event in 2007.

It’s October and I am telling you this story. Can you guess why?

That’s right. I never heard from them.

Sometimes, when a prospect says “call me next year”, they really mean it. When there is no follow up, you know who loses? Yes, you do, but so does the prospect.

If you don’t have a CRM system in-house, there are several online systems worth looking at, and I know some people who use Outlook as a custom CRM system.

Use a day-planner, a desk calendar, rolodex, or box of index cards if you have to.

But use something to make sure you never lose a customer, or a sale.