.
Word-of-mouth marketing is all about passing on information verbally, especially recommendations. When people get a product recommendation from a friend, they are more likely to use that product than if they see it advertised on TV. Although word-of-mouth referrals happen naturally, it is our job to make sure the message being spread about our company is positive and consistent.
We must give people a reason to talk about our services and make it easier for that conversation to take place. We cannot just focus on closing an account or signing up a customer, but instead we need to offer excellent customer service and extended services that show we care about the consumer’s wellbeing.
Consider giving people handouts on the basics of credit or having an after-hours seminar aimed at increasing credit worthiness. E-mail current articles or blogs on topics that your individual clients might find interesting, either relating to their businesses or your own. Be discerning in what you give out so that you don’t annoy people, but send them items you truly feel are beneficial to them.
These simple ideas will get people talking about your wonderful services, and a happy customer is your best endorsement. It’s a natural thing for people to talk and share their discoveries. People like to be helpful and to feel important and useful, and that’s why they give advice to one another. And if you give them something to talk about, that advice they share will be about you.
By giving clients a great experience, word-of-mouth marketing spreads your message. Use the tips below to help your own referral base.
• Give people something to talk about.
• Don’t just pass out brochures. Brochures are important, but they’re more effective when combined with great customer service and unique extended services.
• Feed the grapevine by providing new information. Don’t be afraid to brag about what you do.
• Focus on the new. New technologies, new products, new regulations, etc.
• Personalize the messages you send to relate to your individual clients.
• Collect and use stories and testimonials to enhance the public view of your business.
• Enlist the entire company and motivate people to talk about services and client experiences.
• Wear your message through promotional items and clothing.
• Have fun – remember that you should enjoy what you do and it will show in your work.
Douglas Muir, CEO
1. Shop around when looking for a credit card and choose a card with a low long-term interest rate
2. Review your credit report every six months to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date
3. Limit your credit to mortgages, auto loans and only a few major credit cards
4. Consolidate outstanding debt onto one low-interest-rate credit card
5. Pay credit cards and mortgages on time
6. Develop a plan to pay down your debt to less than 40 percent of available credit
7. Call your credit card companies once every six months to check your current interest rate
8. Stay at your job for longer than one year
9. Systematically pay off your loans starting with the highest interest rate loans
10. Keep telephone and utilities in your name
11. Don’t needlessly open new accounts
12. Keep the credit cards you’ve had the longest to show established credit
What you may not realize is that every time someone inquires about your credit, a deduction is made to your credit score. One point can be removed for every bank inquiry. When applying for a credit card, three points can be taken off immediately. And when a collection agency inquires about your credit, it can cost you five points.
A maximum of 15 points can be deducted each month. Those little point deductions can quickly add up. Keep this in mind when applying for credit and paying off debt. By following the tips above, you can reap the benefits of a better credit score.
Douglas Muir, CEO
For example, if the credit repair company only sends out five letters a month, this process could take one to two years to increase the clients’ scores, resulting in nearly $2,000 in fees.
The other problem with the large Internet credit-repair companies is that The Fair Credit Reporting Act states that any third party sending out dispute letters on behalf of its client can be considered frivolous and therefore discarded by the credit bureaus. The Internet companies do not have their clients send the letters, and instead they send the letters for their clients. Due to the FCRA law, the credit companies can just ignore the letters.
The law further states that if a consumer disputes the accuracy of his credit report it must be investigated or deleted within 30 days. If the repair company is sending out letters on its client’s behalf, and the credit bureaus can ignore claims made by third parties, then the repair companies’ attempts most likely will not be successful. What good does that do the consumer?
That is why consumers need a company like Credit Justice Services (CJS). Employees at CJS help consumers fight negative information in a timely and direct manner.
The reason CJS has a high success rate is because it’s open and transparent about the credit repair process. It provides clients with a clear-cut timeline, which ensures the consumer isn’t wasting time or money.
CJS is also successful because it has a detailed and proven process for disputing the negative items. By having our clients review and sign each letter, we can make certain that the credit bureaus take disputes seriously. It our proven approach that has helped more than 18,000 people since 2004.
Douglas Muir, CEO
As a credit repair expert with CJS, I meet many people in related fields. If I had a dime… for all the times someone looked at my “credit repair” name badge and commented out loud, “Oh, I do that too, but I do it for free”… I’d be retired from credit repair. Ok, maybe not. But, I can tell you that starting a conversation on these terms, doesn’t get me off to the right start with them. After a comment like that, I’m not interested in wasting one more minute of my time. Profitable and long lasting business relationships begin with some basic networking skills. It’s really just about being nice and listening.
Giver’s gain! Meet new contacts with the attitude that you do not expect anything back from them – ever! Getting to know someone with the underlying, unspoken implication of, “what can you do for me?” is not networking - it’s trading. This attitude keeps a running tally of who owes who, and will eventually breed resentment and a break down in the relationship. Try asking your new friend how you could help them build THEIR business or what would a perfect referral be for them?
Meet new people with enthusiasm and a warm, friendly attitude! Greet people with respect. If you have an opinion about someone’s profession or company, keep it to yourself. A bad first impression smashes any future opportunity. People remember who’s nice and who’s a jerk. I’d rather be remembered as nice.
There is great power in being a good listener and an observer. I ask one or two questions and just sit back and listen. I try to talk as little about business as possible and focus on small talk. I like to learn something about the character of the person I’m meeting. I may be interested in their company, but I need to know if I want to deal with their company <b>using them</b>. The way a person conducts themselves can make it or break it for me.
Keep an eye on the clock and be respectful of people’s time. Wasting people’s time by droning on and on, lacks sensitivity and gets annoying quickly. In an open networking environment, the goal is to meet as many people as possible, so keep it short and sweet. TIP: After you’ve spoken to someone, and gotten their business card, jot a few notes on the card before you approach someone else so you remember that person.
Follow through on promises. If you meet someone and say you’re going to contact them, do so. But again, with respect to that person’s time and the attention they need to give to their own business and customers. A great way to initiate a second contact is to send a hand written card in the mail. Don’t underestimate the power of hand written correspondence! After a mortgage brokers trade show, I mailed a hand written thank you card to everyone I had spoken to. I received calls from people not interested in my credit repair product, but they wanted to thank me for my gesture – that’s memorable and effective!
<b><u>A few more TIPS:</u></b>
A firm handshake is appropriate. Try not to touch people in any other way. Touchy feely? We’re not doing business. Keep it professional and mature.
Remember, trying to force your business on people is abrasive and annoying. Networking is for meeting and greeting, not selling.
Never answer your cell phone in the middle of a conversation - it’s rude. Cell phones on silent and away! Blue Tooths are not acceptable networking tools – take them off and put them away.
Hand out your business cards, but try asking for theirs first. I like to end the conversation with the business card exchange. Some people start the conversation by handing it over, but I find people can be distracted by it. The handover is also a way to end and excuse yourself.
Have a “30 Second Commercial” planned and practiced that describes what you do. If you are in a large crowd, you will want to “weed” threw it in order to discover the people whose businesses best compliment yours.
Try not to get locked in with any one person and waste all your networking time! Tell people it was a pleasure meeting them, but you’re sure they’d like to meet as many people as they can, so you’ll be moving along. You can also grab someone walking by and say, “Hey have you met Bob yet?!” Put two and two together and move on.
Always, always, always say “Thank You”!
Meg Murphy
Account Executive,
484.375.5484 (O)
484.331.6311 (F)
www.creditjusticeservices.com/?ccc=145
view all blog entries...
Nov 2008
Word-of-mouth marketing
Everyone in our organization has a role to play in CJS marketing. When it comes down to it, our consumers don’t care about what we do. They care about what we can do for them, and how our services make them feel. In today’s highly advertised world, we must spread our consistent message of consumer protection and efficient credit repair in the most basic and powerful way available – by word of mouth.
by valeria on Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:45 pm
Word-of-mouth marketing is all about passing on information verbally, especially recommendations. When people get a product recommendation from a friend, they are more likely to use that product than if they see it advertised on TV. Although word-of-mouth referrals happen naturally, it is our job to make sure the message being spread about our company is positive and consistent.
We must give people a reason to talk about our services and make it easier for that conversation to take place. We cannot just focus on closing an account or signing up a customer, but instead we need to offer excellent customer service and extended services that show we care about the consumer’s wellbeing.
Consider giving people handouts on the basics of credit or having an after-hours seminar aimed at increasing credit worthiness. E-mail current articles or blogs on topics that your individual clients might find interesting, either relating to their businesses or your own. Be discerning in what you give out so that you don’t annoy people, but send them items you truly feel are beneficial to them.
These simple ideas will get people talking about your wonderful services, and a happy customer is your best endorsement. It’s a natural thing for people to talk and share their discoveries. People like to be helpful and to feel important and useful, and that’s why they give advice to one another. And if you give them something to talk about, that advice they share will be about you.
By giving clients a great experience, word-of-mouth marketing spreads your message. Use the tips below to help your own referral base.
• Give people something to talk about.
• Don’t just pass out brochures. Brochures are important, but they’re more effective when combined with great customer service and unique extended services.
• Feed the grapevine by providing new information. Don’t be afraid to brag about what you do.
• Focus on the new. New technologies, new products, new regulations, etc.
• Personalize the messages you send to relate to your individual clients.
• Collect and use stories and testimonials to enhance the public view of your business.
• Enlist the entire company and motivate people to talk about services and client experiences.
• Wear your message through promotional items and clothing.
• Have fun – remember that you should enjoy what you do and it will show in your work.
Douglas Muir, CEO
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Helping clients increase their credit scores
You can help your clients increase their scores before applying for credit. Major purchases generally require financing, and a consumer’s credit score directly affects the terms of the loan. Share the tips below to empower your clients to increase their own credit.
by valeria on Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:21 pm
1. Shop around when looking for a credit card and choose a card with a low long-term interest rate
2. Review your credit report every six months to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date
3. Limit your credit to mortgages, auto loans and only a few major credit cards
4. Consolidate outstanding debt onto one low-interest-rate credit card
5. Pay credit cards and mortgages on time
6. Develop a plan to pay down your debt to less than 40 percent of available credit
7. Call your credit card companies once every six months to check your current interest rate
8. Stay at your job for longer than one year
9. Systematically pay off your loans starting with the highest interest rate loans
10. Keep telephone and utilities in your name
11. Don’t needlessly open new accounts
12. Keep the credit cards you’ve had the longest to show established credit
What you may not realize is that every time someone inquires about your credit, a deduction is made to your credit score. One point can be removed for every bank inquiry. When applying for a credit card, three points can be taken off immediately. And when a collection agency inquires about your credit, it can cost you five points.
A maximum of 15 points can be deducted each month. Those little point deductions can quickly add up. Keep this in mind when applying for credit and paying off debt. By following the tips above, you can reap the benefits of a better credit score.
Douglas Muir, CEO
Good and bad credit repair companies
Over the years, the credit repair industry has come under a negative light. Many companies that promise to improve their clients’ credit have charged exorbitant fees and delivered few results. Internet-based repair companies usually charge clients $79.95 a month without ensuring a specific end date, and it is in their interest to extend the credit repair process. This ends up costing the consumer a lot of money and taking months and months to complete.
by valeria on Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:59 pm
For example, if the credit repair company only sends out five letters a month, this process could take one to two years to increase the clients’ scores, resulting in nearly $2,000 in fees.
The other problem with the large Internet credit-repair companies is that The Fair Credit Reporting Act states that any third party sending out dispute letters on behalf of its client can be considered frivolous and therefore discarded by the credit bureaus. The Internet companies do not have their clients send the letters, and instead they send the letters for their clients. Due to the FCRA law, the credit companies can just ignore the letters.
The law further states that if a consumer disputes the accuracy of his credit report it must be investigated or deleted within 30 days. If the repair company is sending out letters on its client’s behalf, and the credit bureaus can ignore claims made by third parties, then the repair companies’ attempts most likely will not be successful. What good does that do the consumer?
That is why consumers need a company like Credit Justice Services (CJS). Employees at CJS help consumers fight negative information in a timely and direct manner.
The reason CJS has a high success rate is because it’s open and transparent about the credit repair process. It provides clients with a clear-cut timeline, which ensures the consumer isn’t wasting time or money.
CJS is also successful because it has a detailed and proven process for disputing the negative items. By having our clients review and sign each letter, we can make certain that the credit bureaus take disputes seriously. It our proven approach that has helped more than 18,000 people since 2004.
Douglas Muir, CEO
Tips for Simple Networking
The more networking events I attend, the more I am less and less surprised by how unpolished and abrasive some business professionals are. This year, I joined a close-contact, business referral networking group to promote my credit repair business. It turned out to be the smartest business decision I made all year. In this group, I formed close bonds with business people with whom I pass regular referral business. The group also has helped me to further develop my business etiquette and networking skills.
by valeria on Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:31 pm
As a credit repair expert with CJS, I meet many people in related fields. If I had a dime… for all the times someone looked at my “credit repair” name badge and commented out loud, “Oh, I do that too, but I do it for free”… I’d be retired from credit repair. Ok, maybe not. But, I can tell you that starting a conversation on these terms, doesn’t get me off to the right start with them. After a comment like that, I’m not interested in wasting one more minute of my time. Profitable and long lasting business relationships begin with some basic networking skills. It’s really just about being nice and listening.
Giver’s gain! Meet new contacts with the attitude that you do not expect anything back from them – ever! Getting to know someone with the underlying, unspoken implication of, “what can you do for me?” is not networking - it’s trading. This attitude keeps a running tally of who owes who, and will eventually breed resentment and a break down in the relationship. Try asking your new friend how you could help them build THEIR business or what would a perfect referral be for them?
Meet new people with enthusiasm and a warm, friendly attitude! Greet people with respect. If you have an opinion about someone’s profession or company, keep it to yourself. A bad first impression smashes any future opportunity. People remember who’s nice and who’s a jerk. I’d rather be remembered as nice.
There is great power in being a good listener and an observer. I ask one or two questions and just sit back and listen. I try to talk as little about business as possible and focus on small talk. I like to learn something about the character of the person I’m meeting. I may be interested in their company, but I need to know if I want to deal with their company <b>using them</b>. The way a person conducts themselves can make it or break it for me.
Keep an eye on the clock and be respectful of people’s time. Wasting people’s time by droning on and on, lacks sensitivity and gets annoying quickly. In an open networking environment, the goal is to meet as many people as possible, so keep it short and sweet. TIP: After you’ve spoken to someone, and gotten their business card, jot a few notes on the card before you approach someone else so you remember that person.
Follow through on promises. If you meet someone and say you’re going to contact them, do so. But again, with respect to that person’s time and the attention they need to give to their own business and customers. A great way to initiate a second contact is to send a hand written card in the mail. Don’t underestimate the power of hand written correspondence! After a mortgage brokers trade show, I mailed a hand written thank you card to everyone I had spoken to. I received calls from people not interested in my credit repair product, but they wanted to thank me for my gesture – that’s memorable and effective!
<b><u>A few more TIPS:</u></b>
A firm handshake is appropriate. Try not to touch people in any other way. Touchy feely? We’re not doing business. Keep it professional and mature.
Remember, trying to force your business on people is abrasive and annoying. Networking is for meeting and greeting, not selling.
Never answer your cell phone in the middle of a conversation - it’s rude. Cell phones on silent and away! Blue Tooths are not acceptable networking tools – take them off and put them away.
Hand out your business cards, but try asking for theirs first. I like to end the conversation with the business card exchange. Some people start the conversation by handing it over, but I find people can be distracted by it. The handover is also a way to end and excuse yourself.
Have a “30 Second Commercial” planned and practiced that describes what you do. If you are in a large crowd, you will want to “weed” threw it in order to discover the people whose businesses best compliment yours.
Try not to get locked in with any one person and waste all your networking time! Tell people it was a pleasure meeting them, but you’re sure they’d like to meet as many people as they can, so you’ll be moving along. You can also grab someone walking by and say, “Hey have you met Bob yet?!” Put two and two together and move on.
Always, always, always say “Thank You”!
Meg Murphy
Account Executive,
484.375.5484 (O)
484.331.6311 (F)
www.creditjusticeservices.com/?ccc=145
