This sounds really silly at first glance, but if you

compared the relationships most companies have with their

clients to the relationships of everyday life that don't

involve money, it's hard not to cringe.

Seriously, think about it. Most companies don't communicate

with their clients for months on end, then, when the

company really needs to "boost the bottom-line" they send

out some bogus direct mail piece that essentially says,

"Hey, how are ya? Why don't you come see us so you can

spend some money?" Is that the way you like to be treated?

Well, it's certainly not the way we like to be treated, and

this foul treatment can be avoided altogether if you just

take a few simple steps.

1. Try to reach out to your customers, at minimum, on a

monthly basis.

Whether it's a newsletter, a phone call or any other means

of communication, keep the lines of communication open with

your clients.

2. Don't just call or write when you have a self-serving

agenda.

We all have that one friend that only calls when he needs

to borrow the sugar or needs a favor. Don't be the business

that your clients feel the same way about. Only

communicating when it benefits you is not the way to build

trust. Continue to reach out to them even when you don't

have something to sell, remember, we're trying to build a

relationship here.

3. Communicate with your clients and treat them like real

people no matter what advertising medium you are using.

This is my favorite. Do you yell the following to your best

friend, "COME OVER TO MY HOUSE TODAY JIM, WE'VE GOT

ROCK-BOTTOM PRICES!" Well, if you do, I'm glad we don't

speak on a regular basis, but realistically, this is no way

to communicate.

If you can communicate with your clients

across mediums (television, radio, sales letters, direct

mail, etc) using the same wording you would use when

talking to an old friend, then it will likely connect with

those who read it. When you take the time to communicate in

this fashion, it shows that you have some personality, and

people can instantly connect with you personally rather

than the droves of other faceless radio announcers yelling

at them to buy used cars. Just remember to take out the

4-letter-words and inside jokes!

There you have it; just a few simple steps that will help

you create a longer-lasting and more profitable

relationship with your clients. Hey, who knows, after a

while you may even get invited to "meet the parents."

About the Author:

JW Dicks & Nick Nanton, Dicks + Nanton Agency LLC, represent Entrepreneurs, Executives & Celebrity Experts to maximize income today & tailor a

success plan for growth tomorrow. Get more FREE tips at

http://www.DicksNantonAgency.com.