3 Basics for Breaking the Ice with New Customers

New customers are important for every business and in order to familiarize them with your brand, it is vital that you make them feel welcomed from the very beginning of their interaction with you. According to research, the first impression is created in the first few seconds of contact. Taking this into account, you must put these precious seconds to good use by properly communicating and expressing genuine interest in getting to know your customers better. Your approach may vary based on different types of customers and their needs. Be it face-to-face interaction, live chat, phone or e-mail, the importance of first contact with customers can never be emphasized enough, given that it is your chance for earning lifelong customers. Here are some tips to help you break the ice with new customers.

Create a Great First Impression

Always remember that you have one chance to create a positive, lasting impression on customers and therefore, every effort counts. Be the first to initiate a conversation with customers so that they feel comfortable in opening up to you about their needs, concerns or expectations. Smile and speak to them with confidence and clarity. Make sure you convey to them that you genuinely care about their needs and want to help them out. Maintain eye contact at all times, assist customers in every possible way and talk to them about product or service details, responding to all their queries. Prior to scheduling a meeting with customers, learn as much as you can about them so that you can personalize the conversation according to their interests.

Engage in a Meaningful Manner

Connect with new customers on a deeper level and develop strong professional relationships with them to show that you are interested in delivering excellent customer experience rather than just making a sale. Be polite and ask questions that will uncover further details about their needs, wants, demands and motivations. Modify your approach in accordance with each customer’s unique profile. Also, try to identify common points of interest with customers so that you may bring them up at an appropriate point in the interaction. It enriches the conversation and allows you to better relate to customers. It is essential to establish a strong rapport with customers so that they feel comfortable talking to you. Engaging in meaningful conversations is also a step in the right direction towards securing sales.

Convey Empathy to Customers

Demonstrating empathy, particularly at the first point of contact with customers is crucial as it will positively influence their decision to purchase your products and services. Imagine a situation where a customer asks for advice on which product or service would best serve their needs. In this case, let the customer take charge of the conversation by speaking less and listening more. Additionally, before jumping straight to the recommendation, nod slightly to show genuine concern and reassure the customer by saying ‘I understand where you are coming from, and I know how important this is to you’. Simple acts such as these lead to increased customer satisfaction and retention.