Giving It A Personal Touch - The Secret To TRUE Success

Okay, so you want to be an online professional. Great!!

Professional: (adjective)
2: exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace 2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs.

Looking at the definition above (courtesy of Merriam Webster), I am at a loss to find the words cold or impersonal.

So why do you think it is that so many online business professionals feels that those two words belong in "their" definition of professional?

I have been involved in Internet business for over 3 years now. I have a background in the brick and mortar business world that spans back a few more years than I'm willing to admit.

There is no question in my mind why so many Internet businesses fail every day. Or why many Mom and Pop brick and mortar businesses keep going when people can find better prices and more convenience elsewhere.

Let's call it the Personal Touch.

Just because we are doing business on the Internet doesn't mean that it is necessary to reinvent the wheel. Professionalism online doesn't mean cold detachment. It's courteous and conscientious treatment of your prospective customers. This can be more challenging, but should be your number one goal for your business.

There are certain principals of business that apply no matter whether you are doing business in cyberspace or you are doing business in your own community.

1. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

Oh, I guess that's it.

It all boils down to the Golden Rule here, folks.

When I shop, either online or down the street, I want courteous service. I want to be acknowledged when I walk in. I want to be smiled at. I want to feel that I am an important part of their day. If I have a question, I would like to have it answered quickly, accurately, and in a friendly manner.

I'm happiest when I'm given personal, and personable, interaction.

It doesn't matter if you have your own business or if you are promoting affiliate programs. If you are promoting it, then your reputation is connected to it, too.

If you are building a website, think of it as your "store". Don't think anonymous "cyberspace" store, think "Wow, I'm going to have to look these people in the eye when they walk in." kind of store. It's easy to start thinking that we can simply hide behind the virtual room divider and no one will know who we are. But with all of that anonymity in your corner, how many people do you really think will be knocking down your door to make purchases?

Take a few mental notes the next time that you are shopping, online or off. What attracts to the store? What turns you off and makes you want to leave? What makes you want to purchase or return again? Does the manner in which they care for their store reflect on your feelings about how you would be treated as a customer? If you are shopping online, what do you do if you have a question?

Take your likes and dislikes into strong consideration when creating your own Internet business presence. Would the likes and dislikes of your prospective customers be that much different than yours? Get in the habit of presenting yourself only in the manner in which you would like to be thought of. Treat others the way that you want to be treated as a customer.

Be different from the multitude. Be yourself. Put your picture on your website so that people can see you welcoming them in the door. Let them know how they can contact you with questions, then take the time to answer them when they ask.

Let your customer know what YOU can do for THEM. Studies have shown that the number 1 reason that a person returns to any business is the connection that they feel with the people that they deal with. The personal connection.

Form quality relationships with your customers. Follow up after sales to make sure that they are satisfied. Give them more than what they expect. By showing your prospective customers that you care about their opinions, their needs and wants, their concerns, you are building a relationship that will last the lifetime of your business.

© 2002 Mari Peckham