e-Wealth Daily: Free Ways to Make Quick Money, Ways to Become Rich

If you're just starting out with your own business, or thinking about doing it on your own, you're going to find out soon enough just how important it is to have return customers. It costs a lot less to retain a customer than it does to attract new ones, so you want to keep the ones you have coming back time and time again.

One method of retaining customers is following up with a sale. Some people might say that it is a waste of time, but if you make the effort and have purpose behind it, then following up with a customer can be very effective.

You want your customers to trust you and to think of you when they need to make purchases. You need to consider all the ways that you can stop them from going over to the competition.

Following up will let the customer know that you value their business — and that you think of them as being more than just a number. If you take the time to get to know people, you will establish trust and build up your brand in their eyes.

First, you want to put aside the time that it takes to follow up with a customer. This could be once a week, every day, or once a month, whenever you feel that you have the time to do it well. You have to commit to the customer. If you are insincere in your follow-up, the customer will pick up on it. So don't treat this process as a hassle; instead treat it as what it is — very inexpensive marketing.

Start by making a customer list. For retail business owners, this could be a mailing list; for other small business owners, it could be a list of regular clients. Either way, you should have some idea of who your customers are.

A great way to build loyalty among your customers is by keeping them well informed about what your business is doing. By taking a few moments to call customers on your list and inform them of an upcoming sale, for example, you can generate sales as well as build a relationship with the customer.

Don't worry; they're not going to treat you as a telemarketer. If they gave you their contact information, then they are okay with you contacting them. Making a quick phone call is not going to inconvenience anyone.

If you've made a large sale, then following up is a good idea, so that you can determine if your customer is satisfied with your product. You want them to know that you care and that you are there to address any questions or concerns they may have.

Don't use this opportunity to sell anything; rather use it as a chance to develop a relationship with the customer. They will appreciate that you took the time to ask if they are happy with their purchase. While most storeowners are simply happy to get the one sale, you should be happy to know that, by following up with your customers, they are going to return to your store and buy more from you in the future.

Following up on both your leads and your sales is a great way to build up your business reputation as well. You want people to remember that you have excellent customer service and products. The best way to do this is with a quick follow-up! So, put aside the time to contact your customers — trust me, it will be time well spent.

** You ARE the A-List!
By Doug D'Anna, the "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man"

I admit it. Every year, I love to watch “The Academy Awards.” However, the one thing I don’t love is how some actors are referred to as being on the “A-list” while others are relegated to the back of the bus. This is sad, because I have always felt that all people are equal. Which is why I treat everyone I meet in my life as if they are on the A-list — and that includes you, my friend!

Try this: Picture yourself walking down the red carpet, photographers snapping your picture, strangers reaching out to shake your hand! What a wonderful feeling that would be!

Frankly, that’s how I feel almost every day when I’m visiting clients, shopping, or just meeting new people. How can this be? Because I treat others as if they were on the A-list. As a result, they treat me the same way. You will feel the same way the moment you place yourself —and everyone you know — right on your personal A-list!

And the big benefit of being on someone’s A-list is that your name will most likely be on the tip of their tongue when it comes to doling out good things.

For example, I know that I’m always at the top of Adrian Newman’s A-list and he’s always at the top of mine. Whenever I have a great moneymaking idea, he’s one of the first I call, and vice versa.

It’s that kind of relationship that leads to both personal and financial growth.

So, make it a point to add the next person you meet to your own A-list. Make it a point to treat them as if they were a top notch VIP and you’ll probably be reaping major benefits down the road.

** Avoiding the Hidden Gas Station Tax
By Michael Newman, the "Money Finder"

I find myself on the road a lot, traveling to business meetings far and wide.

When I need a break from driving, I’ll typically pull into a gas station to top up my tank and stretch my legs. On the way to paying for my tank of gas, I usually have to maneuver past rows of snacks and treats in bright-colored wrappers just to reach the attendant behind the counter.

Now, I do have a bit of a sweet tooth and it does take some effort not to grab a few candy bars to snack on for the journey ahead of me.

But I make sure not to be lured into making those small purchases I really do not need to make.

That is why I call those candies and snacks the hidden gas station tax.

You see, you’re typically not going find yourself heading over to a gas station to pick up a snack. You’re just there to fuel up your car, and then you may pick up a few items simply because they are right there, tempting you.

Over time, those small purchases of only a few dollars each can really start to add up. The worst part is that you’re not going to notice right away how much money you are spending because you’ll just be using pocket change, but if you tally up those costs over months and years, the numbers could be staggering.

And all you get out of the deal are chocolates and sweets that do little more than give you a short sugar boost and saddle you with empty calories.

A few years ago, a colleague of mine started to realize just how much money he was wasting at gas stations as he made the long commute to his office located a few miles from his home.

So he decided to start saving all of the change he would have spent on the snacks and candies he purchased almost every day.

At night he would empty his pockets of change and collect it in bowls. He would wait a few months and then roll all the change and deposit it in the bank. And, without fail, every few months he’d be depositing a few hundred dollars in loose change that otherwise would have been wasted on snacks.

To help you avoid the hidden gas station tax, I suggest planning ahead when you know you’re going to be on the road. Bring snacks from home to curb your temptation. And if that doesn’t work, visualize your bank statement as you deposit all of that change instead of just throwing it away.