Modern customers are becoming more and more demanding of brands. We cannot ignore the fact that 84% of millennials don’t trust traditional advertising. Old methods to reach customers no longer work as they had worked before.

Together with personal selling, advertising, and sales promotion, marketers need to offer creative content and run YouTube channels as well as promote their brands on Instagram. Apart from the above mentioned areas where the small business is making efforts to get new customers, this article will consider other ways that your business can get more leads and increase customer reach.

• How do you Reach New Customers?
• How do you Approach Customers First?
• How do you Attract Customers With Words?
• What are 4 Ways to Attract Customers?
• What are 3 Ways to Approach a Customer?
• What is a Customer-first Mindset?
• What are Good Selling Words?
• What are the Most Powerful Words in Sales?
• What are the Six Strategies to Attract Customers?
• What do you Say to Greet a Customer?

How do you Reach New Customers?

Every small business owner wants to attract new customers. Here are 10 time-tested ways to help you bring in “new blood.”

1. Ask for referrals. Referrals are one of the best ways to get new customers—but if you sit back and wait for your current customers to refer their friends and family members to you, you could be waiting a long time. Take charge by implementing a system for actively soliciting referrals from your satisfied customers.

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Build referral-generating activity into the sales process. For example, send a follow-up email asking for a referral after a customer has received their order from your e-commerce site. Have your B2B salespeople ask for referrals when they follow up with customers to answer questions after the sale.

2. Network. Generate good old-fashioned word-of-mouth by participating in networking organizations and events relevant to your industry and your customers. Be sure to approach networking with the attitude, “How can I help others?” rather than “What’s in it for me?” By thinking about how you be of service, you’ll build relationships that lead to new customers.

3. Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. Introductory offers, such as a two-week course at your karate studio for $100, can lure curious customers in your door by providing a low-risk way to try your products or services. Track which customers redeem the special offer, then target them with a marketing message encouraging and enticing them to keep buying from you.

4. Re-contact old customers. Everything old can be new again—including old customers who haven’t done business with you in a while. Go through your customer contacts on a regular basis and, after six months or a year without an interaction or purchase, reach out to dormant customers with a special offer via email, direct mail or phone. They’ll be glad you remembered them and want to win them back.

5. Improve your website. These days, consumers and B2B buyers alike find new businesses primarily by searching online. That means your website has to do some heavy lifting to attract new customers. Give your website a once-over to make sure that the design, content, graphics and SEO are up-to-date. If this isn’t your strong suit, it’s worth enlisting the services of a website design company and/or SEO expert to help.

6. Partner with complementary businesses. Team up with businesses that have a similar customer base, but aren’t directly competitive, and strategize how you can target each other’s customers to drive new business to each other. For example, a maternity clothing website and a baby products website could pair up to offer discounts and deals to each other’s customers.

7. Promote your expertise. Generate interest—and new customers—by publicizing your expertise in your industry. Participating in industry panel discussions or online webinars, speaking at industry events or to groups your target customers belong to, or holding educational sessions or workshops will impress potential new customers with your subject expertise.

8. Use online reviews to your advantage. Does your business get online reviews from customers? Cultivate your reviews and make the most of them. Link to reviews on your website and post signage in your location urging customers to check you out on Yelp (or wherever the reviews are). Social proof is powerful, and new customers are more likely to give your business a try if they see others praising it.

9. Participate in community events. All else being equal, most people like to support independent businesses in their communities. Raise your profile in your community by taking part in charity events and organizations. Sponsor a local fun run, organize a holiday “toys for kids” donation, or supply a Little League team in your city with equipment. It gets your name out there, which helps bring in new customers.

10. Bring a friend. Offer 2-for-1, “buy one, get one free” or “bring a friend” deals to get your “regulars” to introduce new customers to your business. For instance, a restaurant could offer a “buy one entrée, get a second for free” special to attract more customers. You can even get specific: “Invite a friend to try our new happy hour specials!” to let customers know you’re looking to introduce your business to a wider customer base.

How do you Approach Customers First?

When interacting with customers, it’s important to make them feel like their satisfaction is the number one priority. There are a variety of ways to achieve this goal, but combining multiple approaches is an effective strategy. Here are 10 ways to put the customer first:

1. Base the company culture around the customer

A company’s culture refers to its values, perspectives and goals. Every member of an organization contributes to the culture, but leaders within the company are usually the ones who set the standard.

When trying to put the customer first, it’s important to create a culture that sees the customer as somebody who allows the business to exist. When the employees of a company see customers as the ones keeping the business going, they’re more likely to treat them with respect.

2. Take care of employees

Customers can usually tell when an employee is happy. Happy employees lead to a more pleasant experience for customers because smiling and laughing can encourage positivity. One of the best ways to make customers feel relaxed and comfortable in your organization is to surround them with happy employees. If you’re a manager or leader, when employees feel like you hear and respect them at work, they typically work harder.

3. Target your audience

It’s easier to put the customer first when you know what an average customer is like. Targeting your audience allows you to maintain a profile of what your typical customers are like. Knowing the age, interests and schedules of your customers allows you to create an experience that feels custom-fitted for them.

4. Create a customer-centered attitude

When a business cares about customers, it’s apparent in their attitude. To create an experience that puts the customer first, it’s important to maintain an attitude that reflects that goal. Attitude is more than just the disposition of employees, it’s a system of treating people in a way that makes them feel like you appreciate them.

5. Personalize the customer experience

Customers like to feel that they’re receiving a personalized experience. Creating small customizations in your work that make customers feel like you’re noticing them can make a big difference. This can be as simple as writing a thank you note after serving them, knowing their usual order or just remembering their name when they come to the store. These small gestures can have a big impact on improving customer experience.

6. Offer exceptional service

Customers notice when an employee goes beyond the scope of their duty to provide assistance. If you’re willing to put in the extra effort with a customer, even when it’s not required, customers are sure to notice and appreciate you. Customers who receive this high level of care are likely to return more frequently.

7. Ask what the customer wants

When trying to figure out the best way to enhance customer experience, the easiest way is often to ask them. Most customers are willing to give insight on what they want out of a business. If you ask a customer questions like, “Is there anything else I can help you with?” or “Is there anything else I can do for you right now?” customers can explain what it takes to make them feel special.

8. Allow customers to leave feedback

Customer feedback is invaluable when designing a customer-first experience. Whether they leave feedback articulating all the wonderful things you did or feedback about what you can improve, hearing directly from the source is indispensable data. If a customer is unhappy with the service, they may not return. However, if you let them tell you what was unsatisfactory, then you can ensure their experience is better when they come back.

9. Give your customer what they want

Customers most likely know what they’re looking for in a business. If you’re able to ask them or receive feedback after serving them, then you may have an idea of what the customer prefers. Once they express their desires, doing whatever you can to make this a reality can help ensure that the customers are a priority. Customers who get what they want often feel their experience was satisfying.

10. Provide easy access and accommodate the customer’s schedule

Customers usually feel appreciative when you’re able to help them contact the right person, even after work hours. When a customer’s schedule is busy or they’re working odd hours, it can be a challenge to get the help they need. Being available and willing to work around a customer’s schedule quickly makes you a trusted resource for them.

How do you Attract Customers With Words?

You need good copywriting and catchy lines to attract customers to your store. Used frequently by top copywriters, these phrases are surefire terms that create interest and desire among customers. They’re expressions that turn customers’ wants into needs. If you want to make your ad copy pop and excite customers, use these top 10 retail marketing phrases:

1. Beautiful in Its Simplicity

Customers hate complexity and love simplicity, viewing it as a form of good customer service. When you make things simple, you create a smooth customer experience.

2. Artistically Inspired

This phrase demonstrates your sense of fashion. In the customer’s mind, it shows you are forward-thinking. Remember, form is often more important than function.

3. Enhance Your Life

Customers always look for ways to make life better. Use this expression as an alternative to the common phrase “new and improved.”

4. Enhance Your Beauty

Customers also look for ways to be and feel more beautiful, and this phrase is especially key in the fashion industry. Where you can enhance beauty, you can often eliminate a customer’s price restrictions.

5. Looks so Good on the Outside, It’ll Make You Feel Good Inside

This phrase compliments the buyer on a decision they’ve made or one they’re about to make. It affirms their choices, making them feel good about what they’ve purchased.

6. Never Looked so Good

This is another form of “new and improved.” It communicates that the product is the latest model or the hottest on the market, triggering positive customer responses.

7. Simply Awesome

In ad copy and everyday speech, “awesome” is the new “great” or “wonderful.” When paired with “simply” (again conveying simplicity), these words create a powerful phrase.

8. Perfect From Beginning to End

This phrase demonstrates that you pay attention to the details. But make sure you show continuity and alignment. If you use this phrase, your store design and merchandising must be impeccable, down to the detail.

9. Get Noticed

Customers love to be complimented (and by complimenting customers, you increase your likeability). This phrase is a classy way of telling the customer that the product will draw attention to them.

10. Exceptional Value

The world cares about value, but if you ask people to define “value,” they never seem to be able to do it. When you add the word “exceptional,” you help define that value in the mind of the customer.

What are 4 Ways to Attract Customers?

1. Offer new customers discounts and promotions

Consumers today are still looking for value and deals. Lure them into your business by offering introductory discounts, or have specials such as buy 2-get-1-for half-price or free gift wrapping for the first three purchases.

Bargains like these can attract new customers who have been considering doing business with you but needed an incentive to actually change their shopping habits. Then track what they buy and which offers they redeemed so you can better target them with future marketing messages that will cement their loyalty.

2. Ask for referrals

Once you gain a customer’s loyalty, put that to work for you by asking them for referrals. Current customers are one of the best sources of new customers. But you can’t be passive and wait for your them to bring colleagues, friends, and family to your business. Instead, take control and create a systemized approach to actively solicit referrals from your satisfied customers.

Build referral-generating activities into the sales process. Send follow-up emails to make sure customers are happy with their purchases, and then follow that up with another email asking for referrals. Consider offering incentives if the sale price warrants it.

3. Recontact old customers

Go back to your lapsed customers contact list and market to former customers who haven’t done business with you for a while. Create a regular schedule to do this (say quarterly) and select customers you haven’t seen in six months. Reach out to them via email, direct mail, text, or phone with a “We miss you” message, offering some type of deal or promotion if they’ll come back.

4. Network

There’s no better way to raise brand awareness than meeting new people, and telling them who you are and what you do. Join your trade association, your local chamber of commerce, and networking organizations. Attend Meetup events. If you own a local business, even going to PTA meetings can be a good networking opportunity. Approach networking with a “How can I help you?” attitude, rather than thinking, “What’s in it for me?”

What are 3 Ways to Approach a Customer?

It is the steady stream of old and new customers that increases your client base, allows the business to prosper, and fulfills your vision. Greeting customers politely are one way to approach customers and build your customer base. A positive approach that makes a client feel welcome is always encouraged by the top brass because it makes him trust the seller and consequently the outlet.

1. Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach.

You want your customers to feel special, and you can achieve this by approaching each one as an individual rather than just another customer. Grouping all your consumers together will only express inauthenticity.

“In our messaging, we will treat a heavy user of our app differently than a light user,” said Jon Ziglar, CEO of ParkMobile. “We treat a new user differently than a veteran user. We try to make the messages as relevant as possible to that specific person.”

2. Respond to concerns.

Don’t just be available when your business is doing well or your customers are satisfied. If you want customers to trust and respect you, you need to earn it by proving your dedication to making them happy.

For example, ParkMobile received a one-star review from a man who complained that the app was inconvenient and took time away from his date. Instead of ignoring the comment or making excuses, Ziglar said, they contacted the reviewer directly to express their remorse and offered a gift card to the exact restaurant where he had been that day.

“He really appreciated the gesture, and we turned a ‘hater’ into a huge ParkMobile advocate,” said Ziglar. “He even let us feature his story in a social media campaign.

3. Go above and beyond.

Ziglar’s story about his interaction with the unhappy patron turned advocate leads us to our next tip: Go above and beyond for your customers. As a small business owner, you will likely have a close connection with your customers, and you can use this to your advantage. Offer special discounts for customer loyalty, recommend specific products based on what you know about a customer’s interests, and always remedy an unpleasant experience.

Some customers will have a negative experience with your brand. However, it is your job to make sure your customer or client’s experience ends well. Exceptional customer support will keep them coming back for more.

“Sometimes, you have to go above and beyond to build raving fans of your business,” Ziglar said.

What is a Customer-first Mindset?

Customer-first means the organization puts the customer at the center of organizational decision-making instead of organizing around products. In short, a customer-first strategy is just what it sounds like. This means seeking ways to consistently and proactively deliver a positive customer experience by designing and delivering with the customer in mind.

A customer-first mindset is closely related to purpose-driven thinking. The customer, their experience, and their emotional attachment to the company become part of the company’s purpose.

What customers do with their products, the experiences they have at any point along the customer journey, and how they feel drive the employees of a customer-first organization. It’s really about doing the right thing for the customer and ensuring everyone in the organization has the mindset to do so.

Many of the disrupters of the last decade—including Uber, Airbnb, and Warby Parker—can be classified as customer-first organizations. Instead of designing the customer journey around product creation and delivery, they organized around improving the experience for the customer. They disrupted entire industries based on understanding their customer and their needs. In doing so, they also became highly profitable and successful businesses.

What are Good Selling Words?

Selling words are powerful and encouraging words that help a customer make a decision during the sales process. Choosing the right words can help evoke emotion and inspire action. Selling words may be compelling adjectives that describe the features of a product or verbs that inspire a customer to do something.

Words can impact the success of your marketing efforts and can help your business convert leads into customers. Some words can encourage specific behaviors or feelings, which can affect the types of decisions a lead makes. Professional marketers often use selling words to inspire customers and lead to make a purchase decision. Here are 10 selling words for marketers to consider:

1. Now

“Now” means at the present time or moment. This selling word helps create a sense of urgency. Using “now” in sales copy can help a customer understand that they have a short amount of time to make a decision. Marketers often use ” now” to advertise discounts and sales for products or services.

You can use “now” in promotional content to motivate customers to respond to a call to action. Marketers can use “now” to help drive sales and create excitement about new products and promotions. “Now” is often effective when paired with words and phrases like:

• Act
• Get it
• Click here
• Find out
• Learn more

2. Amazing

“Amazing” describes something that causes great surprise or wonder. It’s a great adjective to describe a product feature, promotion or company. The word “amazing” can help your customers feel a sense of wonder in response to your business, products or services. Marketers can also use “amazing” to highlight a sale or appealing price point. “Amazing” pairs well with words and phrases like:

• Deal
• Promotion
• Discount
• Opportunity
• Feature

3. Fix

The word “fix” refers to mending or repairing something. Marketers often use it when they’re focusing on how a customer can solve a problem. They may also use “fix” in sales copy or promotions to encourage action. Using “fix” can help customers identify your product or service as a method they can use to overcome an obstacle. “Fix” often pairs well with words like:

• Now
• Forever
• Soon

4. Save

“Save” is a powerful selling word that refers to preventing the use of resources like time or money. It can help highlight that your products or services are economical or that they reduce the need for spending important resources. Using “save” may show a customer that your product or service is a valuable long-term investment. “Save” typically pairs well with words like:

• Now
• Percent
• Money
• Time
• Cost

5. Simple

“Simple” is a word that describes something that’s easy to understand. The word “simple” can help you highlight that customers of all backgrounds are able to understand your products or services. “Simple” can also show customers how your brand makes a process easier. Marketers frequently use “simple” to describe product features, services or the buying process itself. “Simple” may pair well with words like:

• Savings
• Features
• Buying process

6. Exclusive

“Exclusive” is an adjective that describes something a company only offers to one person. “Exclusive” is another selling word that can help a marketer evoke a feeling of importance. Using “exclusive” can also help a customer feel special by interacting with your brand or purchasing your products.

Marketers may use “exclusive” to help them sell memberships, promote sales and encourage new leads to become customers. “Exclusive” works well with words like:

• Sale
• Offer
• Customer
• Savings

7. Money-back

“Money-back” is a compound word that typically refers to a company’s policy for providing refunds after a customer has made a purchase. Providing a money-back guarantee can help a customer feel comfortable spending money on your products.

A customer’s comfort level can determine whether they return to the business in the future. Marketers may use “money-back” to attract new customers and confirm they’re paying for a valuable product. “Money-back” works well with words like:

• Guarantee
• Offer
• Deal

8. State-of-the-art

“State-of-the-art” refers to the most advanced product or service in a particular industry. Using “state-of-the-art” can help reinforce the value of your products or services by showing a customer that they’re the leading option on the market.

You can use “state-of-the-art” to describe functionality in sales copy, verbal sales pitches or promotional materials. Marketers may use this term to attract new leads and show that a product provides the best functionality on the market. This selling word often pairs well with:

• Product
• Process
• Services

9. Discover

“Discover” refers to finding something unexpected during the course of a search. Encouraging a customer to “discover” a product or service gently suggests that the brand’s quality may pleasantly surprise them. This effective selling word can encourage leads to make a decision and follow a call to action. Marketers also use “discover” to generate excitement about a new product. “Discover” works well with words like:

• Value
• New
• Great
• Savings

10. Deal

“Deal” typically refers to an attractive price on a commodity that’s often lower than the usual listing price. Using “deal” can suggest that a product provides extra value for a customer by saving them time and money. Businesses use one-time, exclusive or limited-time deals to inspire customers to take action.

With the word “deal,” companies often offer free shipping, a discount on a regular price or an offer of free products. Marketers use the word “deal” to create excitement for seasonal sales, sales after holidays and sales to refresh inventory. “Deal” works well with words like:

• Great
• Awesome
• Exclusive
• Industry

What are the Most Powerful Words in Sales?

Now, you may already have some go-to power words for sales pitches, but here is a list with additional ideas that will get you the results you are looking for…

1. You

When you’re communicating with the prospect, it should be all about them.

• “You seem like the kind of person who cares more about people, about the conversations, about relationships…”

• “We want to help you.”

• “If you believe…”

All of the phrases are ones our sales team uses here at BombBomb. What do they have in common? “You.”

They use the word “You” to show that they are committed to the success of their prospect, not just themselves. They are helping them see why the product is right for them and their business.

2. Goals

Every potential customer you work with will have goals they want to achieve for their business. It’s your job to show them how your product or service will help them accomplish those objectives.

So, ask them about their goals. Find out the pain points that are getting in the way of reaching them. These details will be essential to conversations throughout the entirety of the buying journey and beyond – from your initial prospecting to the appointment and everything that follows.

Focus all your interactions around how your company can help them overcome the hurdles and reach those goals. Show them how dedicated you are to helping them thrive.

3. Opportunity

In order for prospective clients to envision themselves using your product, they need to see its potential. You need to show them the opportunities that arise from becoming a customer – whether that be opportunities for growth, improvement, and beyond.

The more resulting opportunities they see for their business, the more likely they are to buy in to what you have to offer. They need to see that the investment they’re making is one that is worth it. They need to see for themselves they will reap the benefits of using your product.

Once these opportunities are identified, you’ll be able to formulate your sales conversations around them, as well as put them on the right track for success with your company to keep them as customers for the long haul.

4. We

You need to prove to your prospects that you are on this buying journey alongside them. They are not alone in the buying experience. You are a team.

So show them that you are in this together by using the word, “We.” A phrase like, “We are going to see results by…” embodies a spirit of a partnership. This is what will get people to trust you because they’ll realize you’re sticking by them in the sales process – and well past that.

Show them that someone will always be there to help them every step of the way to ensure they thrive, not only from sales but also from customer success, support, and more. Because ultimately, their success is your success.

5. Easy

With all the daily challenges people face, you don’t want to add to that. You want to make things easier for them with what you’re selling. Hone in on that by incorporating, “Easy,” into your sales pitch.

Pose this question to them, “What can I do to make things as easy as possible for you?” Really hear what they have to say, and demonstrate how your product can make life easier for them.

6. Success

Every prospect wants to see success. Your product has to help them get there.

Ask them what success looks like for their business. Show them how your product or service can increase their chances of making that vision a reality.

Share the stories of your thriving customers that they can relate to. Give them something to look forward to – something too good for them to pass up.

But be sure to set realistic expectations. Don’t overpromise and be transparent on what you can deliver.

7. Amazing

You want to get your prospects excited about your product. The words you use to do that are so important to set that tone for your interactions along the sales process. “Amazing” is a good place to start.

Use it to highlight your company. Then, follow that up with the standout features of the product you’re selling. Show them what about it is actually amazing. Give them a fear of missing out, so they’re persuaded to close the deal.

8. Believe

Get prospective customers to believe in what your business can do for theirs. Utilize this prompt to garner ideas for your pitch: “If you believe that XYZ, then XYZ is right for you.” Demonstrate that your business is selling something that aligns with their beliefs and values.

This is how you’ll get the buy-in you’re seeking. You’re getting them to see the bigger picture of how your product fits in with their company mindset and culture.

9. If

“If” is similar to “believe” in that it helps your potential clients understand why they need your product or service. See how it’s used in this example, “If you want a clean house and are short in time, our cleaning services can help.”

“If” allows you to really exhibit the value behind what you’re selling. Tie it to their pain points and offer them a clear solution. That way they can truly envision why they need your help to begin with.

10. Benefit

What do they get out of working with you? That’s what prospective clients want to know. Deliver on that with the word, “Benefit.” Why is the product a good fit for them? How will it be beneficial to the success of their business?

Answer all of these questions in your pitch without waiting for them to ask. Because we already know that they want to ask them. Give them an immediate chance to see the potential Return on Investment (ROIs) that await them – should they choose to work with you.

What are the Six Strategies to Attract Customers?

There are a variety of strategies and tactics that you can use to attract customers and retain them over time. We have compiled this list of 5 to help you get started today.

1. Great Customer Service

One of the main complaints about customer service is that it can be robotic and unnatural, even when a customer is interacting with a representative as opposed to a chatbot or other automated service.

This is because companies are often set on training their employees to memorize greetings, sales pitches, and apologies, while customers want genuine answers. In reality, the more complex the problem is, the greater the need for a customer service representative.

When you talk to your customers, try to make the communication as natural as possible. Be sure to use their names, use humor if appropriate, and always be polite. Showing empathy will help you greatly when it comes to connecting with your clients. 

Your objective must be to maintain fluid, responsive communication. Really listen to your customers because quality communication will be something that sets you apart from the competition.

2. Know Your Customers

It’s important for companies to really know their clients. The process of attracting customers has a lot to do with sales. You need to know the name of the person you’re talking to, what they are looking for, what their pain points are, and their hobbies.

How can you get all this information? The key is to continue the conversation after the transaction. For example, if your company is B2B, you can search for client’s profile on LinkedIn or for their website. Once you have this information, you can start thinking of ways that you can provide value.

In today’s business environment, the easiest way to differentiate yourself from the competition is through the customer experience, not just the products or services you offer. Giving the client an increasingly personalized experience will help them remember your brand.

3. Use Complaints to Your Advantage

Improving customer acquisition requires a change in attitude. Instead of thinking about complaints and negative comments as a nuisance, use them as an opportunity to know what your customers really think. It’s better for a customer to complain openly than it is for him or her to stop purchasing from you without any explanation.

Negative reviews help you improve your services, give you the opportunity to redeem yourself, and help you avoid possible online reputation crises. You just have to learn how to handle them correctly.

The next time someone makes a complaint, take it as an opportunity to solve the problem. Listen and get the information you need. It also helps to apologize sincerely, thank the customer for sharing their concerns and promise only what you can deliver. If everything goes well, you will have managed to keep a customer forever.

4. Keep in Touch

According to IDC, 67% of consumers and 91% of companies believe that online and mobile services should be faster and more intuitive. To achieve this, you need to make sure to have regular contact with the customer. 

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Creating an ongoing relationship allows you to monitor how people feel about your brand and address potential problems before they surface. Here are some tips to help you get off to a good start.

• After relevant interactions, follow up by phone, email, or even social media.
• From time to time, send friendly messages to your customers to remind them that you are still available for them and have special offers. 
• Create valuable content, such as articles or videos, and circulate them through your newsletter.
• Send a monthly email or newsletter with your company’s news, such as product launches, events, and interesting content.

5. Gain Customer Trust

If you get your customers to trust you, they will be much more satisfied and likely to be loyal in the long run. 

• Be honest and always keep your word. If you promise something to the customer, you better deliver!
• Show your good intentions. Many times trust is broken because the customer feels that the company wants to take advantage of him or her.
• Be flexible. As they say, the customer is always right. Even if they aren’t, sometimes it’s better to give in and see what you can do to work with them.

What do you Say to Greet a Customer?

Research has shown that 80% of customers want to be welcomed with a friendly greeting. Here are some examples of customer service greetings you can use or adapt to your own style.

1. “Great to meet you” or “great to hear from you”

If you do not recognize the person as a regular customer, starting the conversation on a positive note will set the tone of the entire customer interaction.

2. “Hi, have you been here before?”

According to Michael Gerber in his book, The E-myth, companies that have changed from, “Can I help you?” to “Hi, have you been here before?” have seen an increase in sales of 16%. Although the author doesn’t offer an explanation as to why this might be, it’s certainly worth a try!

3. “Welcome to ______ Customer Service. My name is _______. How can I help you?”

This opening phrase is widely used in call centers. By introducing yourself and your company at the beginning of the call the aim is to gain the trust of your customers.

4. “Are you enjoying your morning/afternoon?”

This is in the small talk category and a great way to get customers to open up. Be ready for negative as well as positive answers and react appropriately.

5. “Welcome back! How’ve you been?”

This greeting works well for customers you’re familiar with. You can go on to ask how he or she liked the product they purchased and if they are buying another.

6. Offer a Sincere Compliment

One of the most difficult greetings, but when given sincerely a compliment can really engage your customer. Make it relevant or specific to your business, such as “That’s a nice necklace” if you work in a Jewelry store.

7. “Hi, my name’s ______, what’s yours?”

This greeting works best in a casual business environment, but when you get it right it works perfectly. Most customers are friendly and like to meet new people and by introducing yourself you are showing willingness to be open and helpful.

8. “How’s the weather?”

This is a surprisingly good icebreaker and a good way to get talking with the customer. Just make sure you are fully engaged in the conversation and interested in what she or he has got to say.

9. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you”

Not strictly a greeting, but an essential part of the customer conversation. It’s your way of saying that you’re happy to help and that you would be pleased to see the customer again.

10. Create your own unique, memorable greeting

Put trust in your team by encouraging them to use their own customer service greetings. By experimenting, they’ll come across as natural – and you’ll find out what works and what doesn’t.

A customer service greeting should flow like a normal conversation. If you are greeting a customer face to face, remember to always follow social guidelines such as respecting personal space and volume of voice.