Social Media Marketing: Why It's Not Paying Off
Putting in too much time for too little return? You're not the only one. Here's what you're doing wrong. Read more
Customers
Recent Customers Articles
Ace Customer Service Every Time: 5 Rules
Little things often make a customer interaction a success or failure. Read more
'How I Know My Audience' 
Eboo Patel, founder of the non-profit Interfaith Youth Core, talks about connecting audiences from very different religious backgrounds. Watch video
Get the Most From an Unhappy Customer
Your impulse to immediately placate unhappy customers is understandable. But may actually be a missed opportunity. Read more
Flat-Out Rejection: Caliper's Hard Early Months
Herb Greenberg, who lost his sight at age 10, developed a test to help employers see workers for who they really are. But four months after founding HR consu... Watch video
3 Benefits of Mapping Your Network
Creating a visual depiction of your social network will help you identify ways to grow your business through relationships, referrals, and recommendations. Read more
Sell Your Customers More: Here's How
Advice on "upselling" from Ilya Pozin, founder of Ciplex, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council. Watch video
One Thing Your Performance Reviews Are Missing
You might be measuring your employees against every metric under the sun... but here's one you're probably forgetting. Read more
What You Can Learn from the Second Fall of Atlantis
The Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas has experienced financial hardship of late. Use these lessons learned so you do not suffer their fate. Read more
Your Customers Have Great Ideas (So Listen!)
Zumba Fitness co-founder and COO Alberto Aghion talks about how the company grew rapidly once it started listening to what customers really wanted. Watch video
Top 5 Marketing Myths to Avoid
These myths can add to your cost of sales--without offering any benefits. Here's a smarter way to think about marketing. Read more
3 Great Things Starbucks Taught Me
I used to hate dropping cash at the coffee giant. Now I love it. Here's what the retail star has taught my company. Read more
Relationship Building Is Much More Than Selling
The best business relationships act as referrals that result in sales - even if they never spend a dime with you themselves. Read more
How Customers Decide to Buy
Before they plunk down the money, customers make these five exact decisions--in this exact order. Your job is to help them do so. Read more
Start-up Suicide: When Meetup Risked Closure
Meetup co-founder Scott Heiferman describes the dramatic drop-off in organized Meetups when the company went from free to fee, and how that turned around. Watch video
Get New Customers: Tricks From the Greenmarket
At weekend markets, some farm stands have lines out the booth, while others remain deserted. See what the winners are getting right. Read more
User Experience Best Practices: How Fitbit Gets it Right
Fitbit, an activity-tracker, created a best-in-class customer experience. Here's how you can too. Read more
Don't Get Burned By Clients
Tips from Warren Jolly, CEO of Affiliate Media, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council. Watch video
Is This Your Employees' Idea of Service?
When an employee flipped off a key customer, this CEO realized his company had a culture problem. Here's how he fixed it. Read more
Talk to Your Customers. Everyday.
Mike Samson and Ross Kimbarovsky describe why they value customer feedback. Watch video
5 Cs Every Start-up Needs to Succeed
Whether you're in software or skincare, you can't succeed in business without these five essentials. Read more
Metrics Are More Motivating Than Bonuses
A founder and CEO explains why he thinks a well run metrics program beats cash bonuses for motivating employees. Read more
Great Product? Fine. Now Build Your Start-up
A fantastic product isn't enough. To build your business, use this simple roadmap to focus on the basics. Read more
Should You Buy One of Your Customers?
When a potential acquisition is also one of your customers, things can get complicated. Ask these questions to evaluate the costs and benefits. Read more
Surprise! You Can Win Customers For Life
Here's how to convert one-time buyers into repeat customers--and loyal advocates. Read more
Get the Most Information When You Survey your Customers
Don't overlook the survey power of social media channels, says Idea Paint's Jeff Avallon. Plus, tips from Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Cou... Watch video
Cheaper Competitor? 5 Ways to Fight Back
Avoid profit-killing discounts and price wars by differentiating yourself, your firm and your offering from the competition. Read more
The $4 Million Complaint Call
Several years ago, a single problem customer changed the fate of my company. Here's the story. Read more
Customer Service Tricks for Small Business
From Amazon to Lego to Zappos, plenty of big corporations have won kudos for their personal touch. Here's how you can steal their best ideas. Read more
Don't Get Customers ...Make Partners
Customers, clients, suppliers and vendors are more than just that - they are your partners. Treat them as such and they will become your best advocate. Read more
Start an Email Marketing Campaign in Minutes
A round-up of some of the best online newsletter services out there. Plus: Three etiquette rules you must follow. Read more
3 Ways to Win Customers for Life
Making customers and clients feel special can keep them from straying. Here are a few tactics to use. Read more
Have Customers Write Your Sales Message
Marketers aren't usually very good at writing an effective, strong sales message. You're better off asking customers for help. Read more
Big Customers? Who Needs 'Em!
Some companies spend all their time chasing huge accounts. But big customers make me nervous. Here's why. Read more
Customer Service: How to Handle Pushy Customers
Don't let your company get backed into a corner by a cascade of demands. Here's how to strike a deal that satisfies everyone. Read more
