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For a small business, it pays to be polite. Otherwise, you risk losing customers.
Most Polite States
But many businesses, especially the ones in Tennessee, miss this simple thing. That’s according to new research from cloud-based accounting solutions provider FreshBooks.
The company analyzed customer data and based on the use of “please” and “thank you” on invoices found businesses in Tennessee to be least polite. Oklahoma businesses, on the other hand, emerged as most polite.
Being Courteous Counts
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, it is essential for businesses to focus on offering the best customer experience. And to achieve this goal, it is important for businesses to leave a positive impression — every single time!
Even a simple gesture of writing “thanks” or “please” on invoices can go a long way in making customers feel special.
Personalize Your Communication
Another simple yet effective way to reach customers is by personalizing your communication. For example, if you’re sending an email to your customer, perhaps you should consider using his or her first name.
You may also send out communication on special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries to show customers you care.
Respond to Negative Comments Positively
It’s not uncommon for businesses to receive unflattering comments on social media these days. Ignoring or deleting negative comments, however, is a huge mistake. The right way to go about it is to be courteous and show genuine interest in changing or making amends.
Any attempts to put the blame on the customer will only result in a blow to the business and deter prospective customers.
Check out the politeness ranks below:
Photo via Shutterstock
Aira Bongco
Is not being polite automatically rules you out as rude? I don’t think so. They may not say please and thank you. But it will not be outright rude.
I guess it is about businesses striving to be better in dealing with their customers. It hardly has anything to do with branding them as rude. That’s what I think at least.
This shows that politeness can go a long way. And it can help you get more customers in the long run.
david
I think this list is a bit insane. I live in Florida and recently had guests from Hawaii stay with me. They were shocked by how much more polite everyone in the businesses we went in to were here compared to Hawaii. This wasn’t just a passing comment either. It was a constant point of conversation. All she could talk about was how polite people were in gas stations, restaurants, stores, etc. She told me that in Florida it seems that people go out of their way to be polite and helpful, while in Hawaii, people act like you are ruining their day if you expect them to just do their job.
I didn’t notice people being any more polite then usual, but one of the reasons I moved to Florida from Los Angeles was because of how much more polite people in Florida are then they are in California.
It seems odd to me then that both Florida, Hawaii and California would be at 12% on this list with Florida being below the other 2.