4 Ways to Get Customers Attention |

Marketing
May 2011

What do customers want to hear? That they are heard. And what do customers want you to say? That you are listening.

I’m going to use a really girly example, hair bows. For one, I am a girl; two, I have a little girl; and three, this girly topic inspired this post. Bear with me; if you need a manlier subject, just insert the words “fishing pole” when I say “hair bow”.

1.) Look professional.

I don’t mean with your physical appearance, though that can help. But your web-site presence and your shop or store front should look like you know what you’re doing. Professional (or well-edited) photos, clean lines and white backgrounds do wonders. Your web content, product descriptions and taglines should be attention-grabbing, concise and thorough. I ordered a hair bow online a few months ago from a boutique that was having a pretty big sale. The pictures weren’t great, and nothing about the website was particularly appealing, but the colors matched the outfit I wanted it for, so I bought it. After 8 long weeks of trying to get this boutique-owner to respond to me about me order, and after countless promises that she sent it, I finally filed for a refund and I’ll never purchase from them again. Had she been more serious about her business, her site would have reflected that.

2.) Prove you are the expert.

Customers come to you because they believe you are the expert in the field in which you work. Experts are the ones who can answer any question in record time, know their competition, research their field and products so that they always have the best to offer, communicate well with their customers and never compromise their quality. Most of the time, even if you “sound” like an expert, and its half-way believable, you can probably get away with it, as long as you continue to grow and educate yourself in your field. I often order hair bows from an online boutique which is considered the best of the best. (Did you know there was such a thing?) The owner uses thick ribbon instead of the floppy stuff. She assembles them in a way that even the most destructive toddler couldn’t destroy them. She secures the ends so they don’t fray. Her designs are unique, un-matched, original and always with extra flair. She can answer and question about any ribbon, centerpiece, assembly-technique and clip. Her packaging is beautiful, her turn-around time is fast and a lot of people trust that she is “The Expert Bow Maker”.

3.) Ask them what they want.

When working with clients and customers, it is always most important to find out what their need is and to meet it. This is especially true if you fill custom orders or services. In order to create a plan, product or service specifically tailored to a customer’s needs, you will be expected to listen very carefully, so that you will be able to give them exactly what they want. And don’t just stop there- make sure you give them what they ask for. This shows customers that you are willing to take the time to listen to their needs and that you value their business. It’s a sure way to get repeat business and referrals.

4.) Follow up with a thank you.

You want your customers to remember you above all the other competition. Thanking customers for their purchase makes them feel appreciated and valued by you. Ways to show appreciation could include an email, a coupon, a promotional code, a gift bag, or even a small, inexpensive gift, perhaps with your logo or brand on it. These things could include bottle openers, pens, magnets, etc. The frequency with which you send these can also vary- after each purchase, quarterly or at Christmas. When I order a handmade hair bow online, I love receiving the package with a small clippie or something cute as a “thank you”. In my own business, I send out Christmas cards with a thank you note and a promo-code for future transactions.

Be the first to comment

Related Posts

Related Posts

Pin It on Pinterest