Doing Business as a Designer:How do I get more repeat business?

(Slide-u-mentary Version - made in google docs)

By Jae Xavier of KnowledgeCity.com 

Blog: jaexavier.wordpress.comTwitter: twitter.com/jaexavier

How do I get more repeat business?

The best advice I can give: Identify their needs by asking the right questions when you first come into contact with them in the first place.

The Strong Opener

In sales, this is referred to as a "strong open". Some sample questions you may ask:

Do you have samples of previous work (website, flier, animation, etc.)Is this your first time doing a (website, flier, animation, etc.)What has worked for you in the pastWhat is your competitors doingWhat is the pain or problem you want me to solveHow much research have your doneHow are you communicating to your customers/your idea/your services/product/event, etc.What results are you looking for

They Want ResultsHere are some examples of results your customers are looking for: 

More salesMore attendanceCustomer retentionMore visitorsBetter customer satisfaction

Sure, you can call them back and see how your solution to their problem has worked. You can keep a list of clients you can contact each month to remind them of you. Just keep in mind that your solution must have achieved remarkable results.

In Hindsight

Your customer has invested money into your abilities and they got their return-on-investment (ROI) if you had met their needs. Because of this, you will have an easier time getting repeat business.

And by the way, ROI can also stand for anything, not just money. Higher ROI means more business.

Resources

Professional Selling  - Online Training TutorialsProfessional Marketing - Online Training Tutorials