Running a small business means you have the time and focus to do something "extra" for your customers. The extras are like free prizes, things they didn't expect but always appreciate. The extras are why they tell their friends about you.
Here are ten suggested extras to get you started. Try any or all, or come up with your own you know your customers will love.
- Call or email to check in when they don’t expect it. The best occasion is no occasion.
- Write newsletters or blog entries just for them that offer timely, helpful advice to make their college planning lives easier.
- Go see each of your students in action at least once a year at a cross country race, jazz band concert, debate tournament, etc.
- Tell parents when their students do something well, like writing a great first draft of an essay, doing good research on the colleges you suggest, or finishing their applications well ahead of deadlines. Parents never get tired of those updates.
- Offer them the option to extend their payment over time.
- Give discounts to families that come back with a younger sibling.
- Recognize and appreciate people who refer their friends and help you grow your business.
- Host a group brunch or dinner at the end of application season.
- Celebrate every acceptance.
- Offer something at least once a month that benefits them—a meeting, a seminar, a newsletter, a helpful guideline, a call to remind them to sign up for the SAT—anything to let them know you’re thinking about them and their college planning.
Susie Watts says
As a private college counselor, I think these are great ideas for each of us to remember. We all know how much personal attention matters, but sometimes it is something we don’t think about as often as we should. I especially like your suggestion to send an email for no occasion.