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Giving_It_A_Personal_Touch_ _The_Secret_To_TRUE_Success
| Giving It A Personal Touch - The Secret To TRUE Success
Okay, so you want to be an online professional. Great!!
Professional: (adjective) 2: exhibiting a courteous,
conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the
workplace 2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an
activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs.
Looking at the definition above (courtesy of Merriam Webster), I
am at a loss to find the words cold or impersonal.
So why do you think it is that so many online business
professionals feels that those two words belong in "their"
definition of professional?
I have been involved in Internet business for over 3 years now.
I have a background in the brick and mortar business world that
spans back a few more years than I'm willing to admit.
There is no question in my mind why so many Internet businesses
fail every day. Or why many Mom and Pop brick and mortar
businesses keep going when people can find better prices and
more convenience elsewhere.
Let's call it the Personal Touch.
Just because we are doing business on the Internet doesn't mean
that it is necessary to reinvent the wheel. Professionalism
online doesn't mean cold detachment. It's courteous and
conscientious treatment of your prospective customers. This can
be more challenging, but should be your number one goal for your
business.
There are certain principals of business that apply no matter
whether you are doing business in cyberspace or you are doing
business in your own community.
1. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
Oh, I guess that's it.
It all boils down to the Golden Rule here, folks.
When I shop, either online or down the street, I want courteous
service. I want to be acknowledged when I walk in. I want to be
smiled at. I want to feel that I am an important part of their
day. If I have a question, I would like to have it answered
quickly, accurately, and in a friendly manner.
I'm happiest when I'm given personal, and personable,
interaction.
It doesn't matter if you have your own business or if you are
promoting affiliate programs. If you are promoting it, then your
reputation is connected to it, too.
If you are building a website, think of it as your "store".
Don't think anonymous "cyberspace" store, think "Wow, I'm going
to have to look these people in the eye when they walk in." kind
of store. It's easy to start thinking that we can simply hide
behind the virtual room divider and no one will know who we are.
But with all of that anonymity in your corner, how many people
do you really think will be knocking down your door to make
purchases?
Take a few mental notes the next time that you are shopping,
online or off. What attracts to the store? What turns you off
and makes you want to leave? What makes you want to purchase or
return again? Does the manner in which they care for their store
reflect on your feelings about how you would be treated as a
customer? If you are shopping online, what do you do if you have
a question?
Take your likes and dislikes into strong consideration when
creating your own Internet business presence. Would the likes
and dislikes of your prospective customers be that much
different than yours? Get in the habit of presenting yourself
only in the manner in which you would like to be thought of.
Treat others the way that you want to be treated as a customer.
Be different from the multitude. Be yourself. Put your picture
on your website so that people can see you welcoming them in the
door. Let them know how they can contact you with questions,
then take the time to answer them when they ask.
Let your customer know what YOU can do for THEM. Studies have
shown that the number 1 reason that a person returns to any
business is the connection that they feel with the people that
they deal with. The personal connection.
Form quality relationships with your customers. Follow up after
sales to make sure that they are satisfied. Give them more than
what they expect. By showing your prospective customers that you
care about their opinions, their needs and wants, their
concerns, you are building a relationship that will last the
lifetime of your business.
About the author:
Mari is the author of the powerful new ebook, MarketingPitbull,
a truly step-by-step guide to creating an exponential traffic
flow and a comfortable residual income online - with or without
your own product. To find out more about what MarketingPitbull
can do for you, visit: http://www.marketingpitbull.com
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