The techniques that are effective to keep and get new customers continues to radically change. In 2012, they will evolve even more. Here is what’s going to be hot (and what’s not) in the year to come.

1. Direct Selling

Not: It used to be that every sales effort started from picking up the phone to “cold call” an industry list.
Hot: Don’t be afraid to always ask for a referral or reference. Satisfied customers almost always are happy to give them.

2. Deal-a-Day Websites

Not: Offering coupons alone through Groupon, Living Social and other daily deal mechanism is not effective long term.
Hot: When these daily offers are used to attract new customers and then retain a lifetime value relationship, they can be worthwhile. Businesses are now turning to companies like Mob Manager that help follow up daily deal purchases with multiple emails that build a future relationship.

Also read : Google to make women entrepreneurs go WEOW

3. Giving Your Pitch

Not: Trying to sell a product because it will make the future customer “better” no longer is compelling.
Pain Killers: Every company needs a targeted “elevator pitch” that focuses on the pain the business solves for the customer that has the money.

4. Generating Web Traffic

Not: Using an outrageous YouTube video or other social media stunt that has nothing to do with your business to get website traffic that visits once and never comes again is ineffective. One and done also becomes very expensive.
Hot: Building long-term relationships by consistently giving value through email is important.