Ten Easy Steps to Increase Customer Participation in an Automated Payment Program

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Copyright © 2009 Wayne Akey


Autopay programs via ACH and/or credit card are statically proven to increase customer retention. When a person does not have to think about writing a check or handing over a credit card each month they are much less likely to think "Do I want to keep paying for this service"?

If you ask a business that relies on monthly or weekly payments to list his or her biggest source of stress it would typically be Payment Collection. Clearly a business owner that does not have to spend hours each month running around or calling clients to pay for their valued service has extra time to spend ON the business and not IN it. Business consultants consistently and unequivocally agree that until a business owner can transition from the day to day minutia that consume time that owner will not realize the businesses true potential. This is where the power of an automated payment collection system can transform your business.

We all know that the more customers on an automated payment plan program the better it is for business. The challenge can be getting your customer to get on board. Though some businesses are in a position to mandate automated payments (health clubs have done this for years) most businesses have to rely on customers agreeing to the change. Here are 10 easy steps to either increase your participation rate in an ACH and/or credit card automated program or encouraging the customer to move from a credit card to an ACH (echeck).

1) Every time you speak with a customer whether they are paying a bill, signing up for service or calling for support let them know about the convenience of an automated payment plan or check by phone.

2) Include information about your automated payment plan or check by phone option on all invoices and customer correspondence. Include a call to action to sign up for the automated plan and make it easy for them to do so. This might include a sign up form on your web site or being able to fax a form.

3) Make your web site a billboard for your automated billing plan and Check by Phone capabilities. Include sign up forms and directions (for helpful forms and information visit: http://www.ach-payments.com/marketing.htm

4) Start an incentive campaign for automated payment sign up. Consider giving away free certificates (see step 6) or possibly offer 5-10% off their next 3 months billing or some other motivational offer. Consider partnering with a local business and offer cross promotional coupons for 10% off products in return for program sign up. An example might be a restaurant.

5) Telemarket your customers and let them know about the program and advantages of signing up. You can use internal staff or hire a telemarketing firm (we can recommend a service-contact us for info) to call for you. For a couple of evaluate hundred dollars you may be able to up your participation rate dramatically.

6) Consider an Incentive program whereby you can reward the customer with a free certificate for: $300 in Gas or Groceries, free vacation, hotel and/or airline tickets. For $99/month you can provide an unlimited supply of these certificates. Your business makes $5 per redeemed certificate as well. (For info visit: http://www.ach-payments.com/thanks.htm), you are welcome to download a certificate for yourself and evaluate. We think this can be a BIG help.

7) Consider implementing an Auto Pay only option for new customers. If you give them a choice of paying automatically via check or credit card as long as they choose you can rely on their revenue each month.

8) Consider posting posters with testimonials form current Autopay users bragging on the benefits of not having to remember to write a check each month.

9) Offer a raffle for 3 month's free service to the winner. You only get a ticket if you are a current AutoPay user or you switch over.

10) Ask your current payment processor to provide a $50 cash card to be randomly awarded to new AutoPay subscribers.

Be creative and WORK at it. The benefits are there for the taking. More free time, less stress, reliable cash flow and greater customer retention-Priceless.




About the Author:
Article written by: Wayne Akey. Visit http://www.ACH-Payments.com for more info or call us at 888.729.4968. www.ACH-Payments.com: Payment Processing solutions guaranteed to save your business time and money.