5 Ways to Get Repeat Business from Existing Customers

Retaining buyers costs less and pays more. These methods will help you turn one-time customers into repeat buyers—consistently.

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Acquiring a new customer can cost five to seven times more than keeping an existing one, according to the Harvard Business Review. Yet most businesses still direct the lion’s share of their marketing budget toward first-time buyers.

Repeat customers, on the other hand, are 60–70% more likely to convert than new prospects, as reported by Forbes. In fact, increasing customer retention by just 5%

can improve profitability by up to 95%, according to research by Bain & Company.

Below are five research-backed methods to get more repeat business—with tips, scripts, and links to help you put each one into play today.

1. Follow Up Like a Human, Not a Funnel

Most follow-up emails sound like they were written by an intern copying a Mailchimp template. Skip that. Instead, write the way you speak—and time your follow-ups around value, not automation triggers.

Try this follow-up script:

"Hey [First Name], I saw you ordered [Product/Service] a few weeks ago. How’s it working out for you? Anything I can help with?"

A personal message sent 7–10 days after a purchase consistently performs better than generic blast emails, according to HubSpot.

According to Salesforce, 89% of consumers are more likely to make another purchase after a positive service experience.

2. Use Loyalty Offers That Reward Behavior, Not Just Spending

Everyone loves a deal—but only when it feels like it’s earned. Instead of blanket discounts, offer perks based on actions like:

• Writing a review

• Referring a friend

• Completing a survey

• Engaging on social media

Example: "Refer one friend, get 20% off your next order. Refer five? It’s free."

Brands with loyalty programs grow revenues 2.5x faster than competitors, according to Deloitte.

3. Ask for Referrals Without Sounding Desperate

The best time to ask for a referral is right after your customer has had a win—an on-time delivery, a successful result, or a solved problem.

Use this referral ask via email or SMS:

"If you know someone who could use [your service/product], I’d love an intro. And to say thanks, you’ll both get a little something from me."

According to Nielsen, 92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family over any other form of advertising.

4. Show Up When They Least Expect It

Check in 30–60 days after a sale without trying to sell anything. No pitch. Just presence.

Message idea:

“Hey again, just checking in. We loved working with you and would be happy to help again if the need ever pops up. Hope all is well!”

This gesture can turn a satisfied customer into a long-term advocate. Think of it as reputation insurance.

Only 18% of businesses send a check-in email post-sale, yet those that do see a 33% increase in repeat transactions, according to Zendesk.

Conclusion

Your most valuable growth channel isn’t a new audience—it’s the one you’ve already sold to. With a few small shifts in timing, tone, and intentionality, you can turn every buyer into a repeat customer.

Just launched your new business and need resources to ace direct marketing at lower costs with higher ROI?

Check out Salesfully’s course, Mastering Sales Fundamentals for Long-Term Success, designed to help you attract new customers efficiently and affordably.

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