Some of the stress I have seen business owners have to endure, is more than what anyone should have to go through. Being on the verge of losing your business and closing it’s doors forever can be a thought that can bring some business owners to tears.
Everyone is different, with different stories. But there is one major reason I have seen as to why businesses struggle.
It ALL comes down to your customer.
For some, you might be starting out trying to get your first couple customers. For others, maybe you had many but have slowly lost them over time. Either way, customers are the ones that bring you the money that pay your bills. So it ALL comes down to having and keeping customers.
Far too often we can so easily get caught up working on our business and being all about our awesome product or service, that we neglect the people that are paying us. It is good to have an awesome product or service, that is a given, but that is not where is starts or ends. It starts with you getting your customer by the awesome value you provide and ending with the customer and them coming back to you time and time again.
Some may argue that it is about the product or the service, but there are plenty of people and businesses that offer crap and they still have customers!
Here are 4 key things to think about to ensure your focus is going in the right places and keep your business thriving instead of failing:
1. Know what business you are in.
It does not matter what product or service you offer, you must understand above all, you are in the people business. Because without people, you don’t have a business, you have a hobby. So repeat after me, “I am in the people business”. Very good! So be sure you make people your business.
2. Look at your business and offers from their eyes.
What is it about your Value Proposition or offer that is going to appeal to your target audience? What about your web site is going to show them you care about their success? Yes, much of this comes down to your branding and so forth, but you can never forget it’s still about them.
As you meet with prospects it can be easy to go into a sales pitch. The thing is, people don’t want to be pitched, they want to be listened to and want to feel like they matter. This is your opportunity to do just that. No matter if it is a prospect or a current customer/client. Ask them questions about themselves, be interested in them. It will break down walls and give you a better opportunity to deliver your offer in a more effective way.
4. Keep in touch.
Keeping in touch with your prospects, customers & clients is something that can easily slip through the cracks when we are busy focusing on our business. When we allow that connection to be lost, business can start to go down hill. The following can be great ways to keep you not just in front of them, but really connected to them.
– Email autoresponder.
– Regular email.
– Handwritten cards.
– A phone call.
– A small gift.
– Meet for a cup of coffee.
I recommend all of the above when it’s applicable. Having some kind of email system that automatically shoots out a newsletter is a smart idea. But taking it a step further can never hurt. Remember the saying that holds to be true, “The Fortune Is In The Followup!”
Now it’s your turn.
In what ways are you making your business about people? How to you stay in touch with them?
Keep on moving forward and Ruling Your Realm!
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Social media does not only become a medium for awareness but it also helps business reach their customers and know their feedback and suggestions.