Local Solo-E Certified Expert Predicts Increase In Heart-Based Solopreneur and Small Business Owner Customer Loyalty

FRANCESTOWN, NH, March 30, 2011 (Press-News.org) Your business story and customer service are among the five major influences driving customer loyalty this year, says Solo-E.com Certified Expert Paula Eder during "Customer Loyalty Month" in April.

Heart-Based Time Management expert Eder polled clients, monitored blogs and article postings, and consulted other experts throughout the year. With additional input from the team of solo professional industry experts at Solo-E.com, she selected five factors that will likely affect customer service amongst heart-based small business owners and solopreneurs for the remainder of the year.

According to Eder, who owns and runs Finding Time in Francestown, NH, as well as on-line, customer loyalty is based on a number of factors. "Any time you can draw your customer into your company culture or story and provide added value and enhanced experiences through customer service, your customer loyalty will increase exponentially." Founded in 2006, Finding Time helps Heart-Based Solopreneurs and Small Business Owners to find more time and make more money by fully tapping their skills and energies while quieting the critical and self-sabotaging messages that hold success at bay for so many. Eder is one of 50 solo professionals who is certified by Solo-E.com, and as a result of her affiliation, was able to monitor trends in the heart-based small business and solo professional communities more effectively.

"Customer loyalty is what drives our business," says Terri Zwierzynski, CEO and founder of Solo-E.com. "Taking Customer Loyalty Month in April, to identify ways to keep customers allows us to dive back into the entrepreneurial market, get to know our customers again and figure out what makes them stick around."
The Top Five Tips to keep heart-based solopreneur and small business customers:

1. Develop your company story. "People like stories, so don't be afraid to share your company story," says Solo-E.com founder Zwierzynski. "For generations, stories have drawn us in. If you can incorporate your customer into your company story, you will have loyalty like you could never imagine."
2. Provide added value. "Some people in the industry think that fewer people are buying products and services due to the economy. That's simply not true," says Eder. "People are just making sure they get real value before investing in a resource."
3. Listen to the voices of business. According to Zwierzynski, "Customer service is more than about being cordial as someone makes a purchase. Listening means paying attention to what everyone is saying, good and bad, and make the appropriate changes. Remember, you have one mouth and two ears, so you should be listening twice as much as you are talking."
4. Foster dialogue with your customers. "Tapping into the power of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin is definitely time well spent," Eder notes. "You'll be able to hear directly from your customers, and can quickly adapt your services to meet their evolving needs!'
5. Make time for you. "Being able to provide the best service possible over the long haul requires stamina!" Eder stated, "When you make time for yourself, you can be sure that you'll always be bringing your best energy to serving your customers. This inspires confidence and loyalty, and for hard-working solopreneurs and small business owners, it provides an inspiring model of self care. Remember ... walking the walk is as important as talking the talk!"

About Solo-E.com
Solo-E.com, is one of the leading online resource centers for solo entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals. It exists to promote the practice of solo professionals, and provides education and growth opportunities for subscribers. In addition, it offers marketing opportunities and assistance for entrepreneurs, coaches and consultants. For more information, visit http://www.solo-e.com or contact media@thetimefinder.com.