Developing extraordinary "Salesmanship"...

This is a great post because it emphasizes the fact that the one important area ALL small business entrepreneurs need to develop are selling skills. Following up is a critical strategic selling skill.

Below are a few things you can do to not only reconnect with that potential client/customer but set yourself apart from those who are competing for their attention as well:

1) Follow up question: Yes, a nice thank you letter is appropriate but why not follow that with a question (could be from the previous conversation) to get them to engage? It also demonstrates your willingness to learn more about them, and to identify what they value.

2) Create a Community: Whether it's newsletters, linkedIn groups, Facebook groups etc there are a variety of ways to keep that potential customer engaged with like-minded customers you already have. Build a FOLLOWING and convert those prospects to loyal customers/clients.

3) Use Technology: Instead of the usual e-mail/phone call, take advantage of innovation using platforms like SKYPE, JoinME, Google Hangout etc to make the follow up process more personable...and the potential customer/client once again can see you face-to-face (which is how you met in the 1st place).

4) "Open House": "Open House" has always been synonymous with grand opening, why not use this same idea as a follow up mechanism to introduce your new prospect to your establishment. I've helped my clients set up "Store Tours", "Sampling Parties", and a "Get To Know Our Company" happy hour as ways to re-engage with prospects. Also, this is a great way of providing a "reason" to follow up with the potential customer/client.

These are just a few strategies that are fairly "out of the box" ideas that may separate you from just doing the ordinary follow up tactics.

Bottom line is that none of these ideas work unless you increase your "Selling Skill" acumen...because in the end reconnecting with that potential client/customer means you'll have to sell them once again.

Thanks again for the post!