Rapport = Trust + Comfort

In the dictionary, rapport is defined as, "a relationship, especially one of mutual trust or emotional affinity". It originates from the Old French word raporter, which means, "to bring back". One of the things that we strive for as business owners is to build rapport with our customers and clients, so that we can bring them back for repeat business and gain their referrals. Here is how you can accomplish this goal:

1. Rapport = Trust + Comfort

Keep in mind that in order to have rapport with your customer, you first need to build their trust, and then they need to be comfortable with you, as well as your product or service. If anything is missing from this equation, it's impossible to build rapport.

2. Keys To Building Trust

In order to build trust with your customers, you start with integrity, and build from there. Are you worthy of their trust? Do you do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it? Do you deliver on your promises on a consistent basis? If you don't, your customers' trust in you will be fleeting!

3. Establishing Comfort With Your Customers

Establishing comfort with your customers is also important to building rapport. Your customers will be comfortable with you only when they receive a consistent product and level of service from you. For example, would you be comfortable going to a hairstylist that cut your hair different everytime? Well, the answer is, "of course not".

So, you need to make sure that you have robust systems in place within your business to ensure that your customers experience is consistent from experience to experience. If this is not the case, you have some work to do!

Keep in mind that the first key to earning repeat business and referrals from your customers is building a strong rapport with them. If you keep in mind the equation, Rapport = Trust + Comfort, you'll be well on your way to accomplishing this goal!