Bring Back Your Former Clients

It’s happened to every business owner….a client stops working with you and you don’t know why. For small business owners and solo entrepreneurs who have a small client base, this loss can be distressing.  Not only can this client loss be financially painful, but a small business owner often takes the loss personally.

The good news is that if this customer purchased from you once, they are likely to purchase from you again. It is much easier to sell a former client who has already has a positive experience working with you than it is to earn the trust of a prospective client.

To regain your former clients, you must implement an organized strategy to encourage them to return and do business with you again.  Here are some steps you can take to bring them back.

End the Working Relationship on a Good Note

Your client may stop working with you simply because the project ended. Or they may just cancel your contract without giving you a reason. However your working relationship ends, ask for a meeting or send a survey where you can get some feedback on your work. Use this meeting or survey to find out the reason your client is leaving.

If you discover that they are unhappy with your work, this is the time for you to apologize and fix the problem. This may be enough to keep your client happy and have them remain with you. If your client is leaving for reasons outside of your control, respect their decision.

Send a thank you note to each client that leaves and thank them for their business and encourage them to return in the future.

Continue Reaching Out

Keep in touch with your former clients on a regular basis. Send them your quarterly newsletter. Put them on your holiday card list. Emailing and snail mailing things to your former customers on a regularly is a gentle way of reminding them that you are still there and available to help them.

Invite Them Back

Invite your former clients back. We suggest you try a direct mail campaign urging former clients to come back.  Your mail campaign could offer them a discount for a specific product or service.

Putting a plan in place to say goodbye to clients and staying in touch with them is a way to stay top of mind with them so they’ll return to you when they need your services.