how to improve communication with customers?
Post 1 of 19
What are ways to improve communication with customers, which will help to improve sales, and reduce problems, and communication gaps.
I use a lots of pictures and detailed descriptions of the product to have the customer have a better understanding.
How do you do it?
I use a lots of pictures and detailed descriptions of the product to have the customer have a better understanding.
How do you do it?
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27 Oct 2007 14:50
Post 2 of 19
Replying to [Firo]:
Nowadays, I find many salesperson talk too much, they are like a tape recorder machine, when they meet a prospect, they switch on the talking machine and start talking.
Sales people tend to run ahead of marketing, in other words, they are product pushers, they like to influence the potential buyer to purchase the product. Whereas marketing people identifies the needs of the m and then get a product or products to meet their needs.
Communication is not simply talking, neither is it a one-way affair, it has to do with understanding the other person's expression of emotions, wants and needs. There are different levels of communication, modes and layer of relationship in the communication.
For example, communication between strangers is very superficial, sentences like "Hello, how are you?" "How is the weather today". But as the two parties build up their level of trust and acquaintance, the verbal communication becomes more relational. That is where two people started their quarrels and arguments, they become more personal. Eg. "I know you don't like the red colour neck-tie, but it is my favourite colour and I bought it anyway for someone I love most"
Body Language or non-verbal communication has more impact than mere spoken or written words. So, when speaking to clients whom you are more familiar with, gives you more license to joke with them on the lighter scale.
Tone of voice is absolutely first impression for new clients, when speaking on the phone.
To summarise, we ought to learn more communication skills as to improve our communication with our customers, listen to them, hear them out, and pick up the right signals as what is important to them, what is the need, must have and what is the want to have. Then give them your answer to meet their need and able to deliver them.
James OO7
Nowadays, I find many salesperson talk too much, they are like a tape recorder machine, when they meet a prospect, they switch on the talking machine and start talking.
Sales people tend to run ahead of marketing, in other words, they are product pushers, they like to influence the potential buyer to purchase the product. Whereas marketing people identifies the needs of the m and then get a product or products to meet their needs.
Communication is not simply talking, neither is it a one-way affair, it has to do with understanding the other person's expression of emotions, wants and needs. There are different levels of communication, modes and layer of relationship in the communication.
For example, communication between strangers is very superficial, sentences like "Hello, how are you?" "How is the weather today". But as the two parties build up their level of trust and acquaintance, the verbal communication becomes more relational. That is where two people started their quarrels and arguments, they become more personal. Eg. "I know you don't like the red colour neck-tie, but it is my favourite colour and I bought it anyway for someone I love most"
Body Language or non-verbal communication has more impact than mere spoken or written words. So, when speaking to clients whom you are more familiar with, gives you more license to joke with them on the lighter scale.
Tone of voice is absolutely first impression for new clients, when speaking on the phone.
To summarise, we ought to learn more communication skills as to improve our communication with our customers, listen to them, hear them out, and pick up the right signals as what is important to them, what is the need, must have and what is the want to have. Then give them your answer to meet their need and able to deliver them.
James OO7
30 Oct 2007 04:47
Post 3 of 19
Replying to [Firo]:
Show him your requirement.drawing picture,specification.and picture.
Our main products are switch,jack,terminal,connector.and others all over the world.If you want to know more us,please visit our website http://www.switchcn.com
Show him your requirement.drawing picture,specification.and picture.
Our main products are switch,jack,terminal,connector.and others all over the world.If you want to know more us,please visit our website http://www.switchcn.com
30 Oct 2007 07:20
Post 4 of 19
Replying to [Firo]:This problem trouble me now. In my opinion, help your clients to gain money is the improtant. business is business.
30 Oct 2007 18:03
Post 5 of 19
Replying to [Firo]:
I think chat online is the best way to know each other. Skype, MSN, ICQ or other software will be a great help. Especially skype, I think it is helpful when seller and the buyer don't know each other very well. We use the camera and MIC to make a introduction of yourself both. It is very important cuz it gains more trusty than only E-mail to E-mail, besides, E-mail wastes a lot of time.
I think chat online is the best way to know each other. Skype, MSN, ICQ or other software will be a great help. Especially skype, I think it is helpful when seller and the buyer don't know each other very well. We use the camera and MIC to make a introduction of yourself both. It is very important cuz it gains more trusty than only E-mail to E-mail, besides, E-mail wastes a lot of time.
31 Oct 2007 00:49
Post 6 of 19
Replying to [Firo]:
Dear Firo;
Place yourself into your buyer's shoes and "listen"!![[em8]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_cry.gif)
1. clients are not always technically profficient
2. they are simple burdened persons trying to run to win
3. they are anxious that they will get too complicated or tricked
4. they feel you may be the Pirate or the Seven Seas and rob them
5. they hate to see you speak as ifyou knew them since the craddle
6. they want you to show them "what they need" maybe enriched and that's it!
So, what you need to do is=
1. use a well researched language, with a short correct, enhancing product info paragraph (if not phrase!)
2. use color and bold and a realistic but nice photo/design of the product in use or in display
3. make it look easy to see, try, check, control, play with and then easy to pay without doubt of what they pay for and what is really in the box for them!
4. offer certifications in a simple and easy way
5. use third party expertise to secure client feeling (offer /quantityquality control certifications before shiopment etc)
6. use "easy links" like a friendly designed URL button or a teleconference button w/w/out camera etc; allow them to see you even if they do not do the same.
7. answer immediately with short and specific phrases
8. make sure you and they understand the same thing from the 2nd round of q/a.
9. offer them a chat corner in the announcement box "speak with the Captain" or something on this line. You can give choices to the rank they want to chat with!
10. have pre-fab specification papers; to attach when specs are wanted; it is useless to apply all kinds of ISO, test types, TUV, LDA etc specifics in a running text or worse, in a running commercial conversation!
11. do not smile as if you have a face/nerve sickness all the time; be expressive but not clowny! look in the eye and blurt short specifics with veryrare personal comment if any.
12. detonate all pressing situations by offering something in return; maybe some small talk till the info is produced, etc.
13. have a very rewarding closing remark for the client; something like "it is a special day for our business and we offer some local pastry or signed card box with every order etc"-it sounds naive but if you bring it up to size, it is too useful with psychology!
14. Avoid first person and negative words (I, am, know , no, not, etc) and use a common effort poit of view underlining that if he succeeds in the market and only then do you become successful and proud as well.
15. use well-lighted photos and videos; avoid dead scenes without persons inside; they look cold and strict
16. do not be afraid to use color and sign, border and-or highlights in a way that serious will meet the tired eye!
good luck
Akis
![[em20]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_victory.gif)
Dear Firo;
Place yourself into your buyer's shoes and "listen"!
1. clients are not always technically profficient
2. they are simple burdened persons trying to run to win
3. they are anxious that they will get too complicated or tricked
4. they feel you may be the Pirate or the Seven Seas and rob them
5. they hate to see you speak as ifyou knew them since the craddle
6. they want you to show them "what they need" maybe enriched and that's it!
So, what you need to do is=
1. use a well researched language, with a short correct, enhancing product info paragraph (if not phrase!)
2. use color and bold and a realistic but nice photo/design of the product in use or in display
3. make it look easy to see, try, check, control, play with and then easy to pay without doubt of what they pay for and what is really in the box for them!
4. offer certifications in a simple and easy way
5. use third party expertise to secure client feeling (offer /quantityquality control certifications before shiopment etc)
6. use "easy links" like a friendly designed URL button or a teleconference button w/w/out camera etc; allow them to see you even if they do not do the same.
7. answer immediately with short and specific phrases
8. make sure you and they understand the same thing from the 2nd round of q/a.
9. offer them a chat corner in the announcement box "speak with the Captain" or something on this line. You can give choices to the rank they want to chat with!
10. have pre-fab specification papers; to attach when specs are wanted; it is useless to apply all kinds of ISO, test types, TUV, LDA etc specifics in a running text or worse, in a running commercial conversation!
11. do not smile as if you have a face/nerve sickness all the time; be expressive but not clowny! look in the eye and blurt short specifics with veryrare personal comment if any.
12. detonate all pressing situations by offering something in return; maybe some small talk till the info is produced, etc.
13. have a very rewarding closing remark for the client; something like "it is a special day for our business and we offer some local pastry or signed card box with every order etc"-it sounds naive but if you bring it up to size, it is too useful with psychology!
14. Avoid first person and negative words (I, am, know , no, not, etc) and use a common effort poit of view underlining that if he succeeds in the market and only then do you become successful and proud as well.
15. use well-lighted photos and videos; avoid dead scenes without persons inside; they look cold and strict
16. do not be afraid to use color and sign, border and-or highlights in a way that serious will meet the tired eye!
good luck
Akis
31 Oct 2007 04:57
Post 7 of 19
Replying to [Mike W liu]:
I totally aggree with you, that for a long term business ones goal should be to help the customer gain more money, and there for more business with you.
But how do you make him realise that you are for his well being??
Sometimes from my experience, customers feel weird and disappear, thinking that I really want them to earn more money, the misunderstand it. How to avoid that situation, since after all this is the part that will make a long term deal or one night stand.
So how to make sure it really works towards long term?
I totally aggree with you, that for a long term business ones goal should be to help the customer gain more money, and there for more business with you.
But how do you make him realise that you are for his well being??
Sometimes from my experience, customers feel weird and disappear, thinking that I really want them to earn more money, the misunderstand it. How to avoid that situation, since after all this is the part that will make a long term deal or one night stand.
So how to make sure it really works towards long term?
01 Nov 2007 06:14
Post 8 of 19
Replying to [Firo]:It is a very nice question and it was a learning to read others remarks on it.
good job done.
good job done.
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07 Nov 2007 00:54
Post 9 of 19
Replying to [Firo]:
I have met some guys, on alibaba, who are having a hard time to overcome the hurdle of doing business with members, since they don´t seem to trust offers on alibaba.
How did you guys got the trust of your buyers through Alibaba???
Share your stories.
I have met some guys, on alibaba, who are having a hard time to overcome the hurdle of doing business with members, since they don´t seem to trust offers on alibaba.
How did you guys got the trust of your buyers through Alibaba???
Share your stories.
11 Nov 2007 19:08