Everybody wants their business to grow, but how many of us can say we know exactly how to do it? Do we even know what growth is? How do we measure it?
1. Compliment your Competitors for Everyone to See
2. Send your Regulars a Personalized Letter
3. Give gifts for no reason
These don’t even have to be expensive things. Dropping a branded pen or a notepad in their shopping bags during a season other than Christmas or the New Year gives people something to look at and use. Plus, you don’t have to compete with other businesses who love to give away their merchandise at the end of the year – we can’t tell you how many calendars we’ve stuffed in a corner and forgotten about in December. It reminds them that you’re there, and that you are useful, just like your branded merchandise. You can also give gifts to your employees, like new polos with their names (not uniforms) or free products you sell, thus making them feel appreciated. It gives them a sense of belonging and boosts their morale, which means they give better service on your behalf.
4. Do an AMA, live
AMA stands for Ask Me Anything and the practice was popularized by Reddit. Celebrities, authors and even the President of the United States solicited genuine an useful feedback from this activity, and it’s better than any suggestion box or questionnaire could do. Simply asking someone’s opinion makes them think better of you because they feel like their opinions matter. People generally respond well to any opportunity to express themselves, even in the form of questions. The great thing about an AMA is that you don’t have to do it on Reddit or even the Internet! Imagine walking into a chain store and the owner is there holding an #AMA sign. That could be you, and that could be priceless customer feedback.
