Keep them calling....

As a private investigator you rely on information from others to complete your investigation. If you are a business owner, you rely on callbacks for more business. These tips will help you increase the chances that someone will call you when with information or new business: 

1. Leave them your contact information - Simple, but often investigators fail to leave a business card. Encourage them to call you. Encourage them to reach out if they just need some advice. "Here's my contact information. Feel free to call if I can help you." 

2. Develop rapport, a relationship with the individual - If they feel they know you, they will be more inclined to call you back. Spend time building the relationship, not only for an effective interview, but to put them at ease. 

3. Check up on them - If they are a victim, make a point to call them back after the investigation to see how they are getting along. Just a brief phone call will allow you to reaffirm the relationship, continue the rapport. You never know, they may refer someone to you for your next case. Maybe a brief email too. 

4. No question is unimportant - You may get calls from witnesses or clients with simple questions. Answer them promptly and provide help to them when you can. Builds trust, and, yes, it continues to maintain the relationship. A quick call from a client with a simple question is a great sign that they will call you in the future for their investigative needs. 

5. Keep a contact list of individuals you have talked with - Using your contact list on your phone or email, create a contact list. Include a note on how you met them, a personal piece of information you have learned about them. This will prompt your memory on how you met and the context. For example; "Jane Doe, witness in Pierce Company investigation. Has a birthday in June, son that plays little league baseball named Bill." Entering this information in your contact list helps you remember as well.

Building effective relationships with those that you encounter will improve your investigations and possibly build long term business relationships.