20 simple, free gestures that will make your business more successful

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It's hard for many of us to imagine a time without TV.

It's even getting harder to remember a time without cell phones and tablets and personal computers — in short, the constant connectivity has changed marketing forever.

And now we're on to the next big things, like artificial intelligence, same-day delivery from drones, and "anticipatory shopping," in which vendors know before we do what we want and deliver it to us. 

But while the techies figure out all of that, lets take a look at some free techniques to reach customers and spread the word about what a great business you have. 

1. Smile

Others will see you as more trustworthy, sincere, sociable, and competent — and that's good for business.

2. Train employees to smile

On the phone, too. That's right. A smile comes through even when customers can't see it.

3. Make personal connections to customers

Despite all the privacy concerns these days, most people like to talk about themselves. Note what they say — not just a mental note. Keep a written record. A note-card file, a cell-phone file. You can mention something next time you connect with that person. The only difference between your business and a competitor's, all other things being equal, is the personal connection to customers.