The easiest way to define customer service may be by what it’s not.

 It’s not getting transferred multiple times, only to repeat your issue with each new rep.
 It’s not dealing with smugness or ignorance.
 And it’s definitely not being treated like a pest instead of a customer.

Good customer service is hard to come by, maybe because it is hard to provide. Dealing with people is no easy task, but is a large part of your job as an agent and apropos Megan’s recent post, an excellent addition to any USP.

In Seth Godin’s post about customer service, he sites technology as the culprit making it harder to satisfy customers because the internet has taught us to demand everything immediately and cheaply.

So some tips to satisfy the most demanding prospects.

Fix their problems…with a smile.

Through your customer service efforts, you can make your customers into fans and receive such rave reviews that prospecting becomes obsolete. They will do the work for you.

The best time to really wow a prospect is when they’re unhappy. Although, it’s unfortunate when a customer becomes upset with something you’ve done, you can use the situation to you advantage. When you fix a customer’s problem quickly, efficiently, and amiably you have the opportunity to earn something no amount of advertising or cold-calling can beget—their loyalty.

Don’t take it personally.

Sometimes if you step outside yourself, serving your customers becomes easier. In his post on customer service, Joel suggests practicing puppetry. Basically, if you don’t take anything personally, you will likely remain calm, which in turn diffuses the customer’s anger or frustration. Even if you are dealing with an annoying customer, employing this strategy might help you keep your cool.

Make them feel special.

Show your customer’s tricks to save a little cash on their premiums. Even if the savings don’t amount to much, you let them behind the curtain or past that velvet rope and made them feel special, something many people rarely experience. Maybe you can’t offer any savings, but remembering their name, their kids’ hobbies or the fact that they recently took a vacation has the same effect.

Cusomer service is perhaps the simplest, albeit most difficult, way to stand apart from the rest.