Topic: What do you do to get the customer to pick your service/product?
PrimeDeborah Board Grand Poobah
posted May 26, 2003 04:24 PM
With so many choices for a customer/client to choose from my two part question to you this week is:
How do you make your business stand out from the rest of the pack? And,what do you do to get the customer to pick your service/product over the others?
posted May 29, 2003 04:27 PM
That is a good question! I think many of us are struggling with the same problem.
A lot of WAHM's are in the same businesses or selling similar products, we have limited budgets for advertising and network in a lot of the same places AND we share the same resources.
I've seen a lot of places nearly cut their own throats just to make a sale. Their profit margins are probably slim to none, but they get the sales because their prices are the lowest.
I personally am trying to diversify my product lines and find "unique" items that not a lot of people are selling. I really believe excellent customer service will get return customers *BUT* you have to get those first time customers before they will generate repeat business.
I'm struggling now just to cover my monthly expenses. I really would like to get a big wholesale account or an account with a local retail store.
A lot of my problem is lack of confidence and a lack of capital. I am working on confidence and branching out into different areas, if nothing else to see what will happen. There isn't any risk in branching out and I may make some new friends or get some new customers.
It's all a mystery to me. Anyone who can shed some light on this?
------------------ Jennifer Tidwell--Gifts by Jennifer
posted May 30, 2003 03:49 PM
This question is along the lines of how do you market yourself. We (wahm) tend to be on a limited budget, have to answer the phone with kids screaming in the background!
When I ran my retail business I quickly came to realize that it was all about networking. You never know who knows who in the retail world...
I attended chamber functions even though I was not a member, many chambers allow you to visit their networking opportunities.
I attended many LeTip meetings to meet people and gather cards. At that time I could not make a weekly committment to join.
I printed my own marketing materials. Luckly I have a "techie" husband who could do this for me.
I spend countless hours on the internet after the kids go to bed scouring for Free SEO help. There are so many forums out there that will actually help you raise your rank for free!!! All it takes is a little work.
What I didn't do was cut my prices or offer free shipping. I sold a service!
So, how do you get a customer to pick you-network to meet others, have professional looking marketing material, be honest and offer great service.
Don't be afraid to cold call, just remember it is not you they are saying no to, it is your product. Don't take it personally, thank them for their time and move on.
Did I ramble enough?
PS-I'm starting from scratch with a wholesale business and having to find those customers again is painful but I tredge on anyway..
posted June 03, 2003 12:06 AM
For my business it is education. Most people don't realize the healing power of theraputic grade essential oils because they have tried essential oils that have been diluted.
So what I do is hold classes that teach how essential oils work and why it is so important to use high quality oils. By the end of class people have their checkbooks out!
I also teach a class on Healing Oils of the Bible. I try not to be too "sales-ey" for this class because I offer it to church groups.
People are searching for healthy alternatives so it is just a matter of learning the options.
posted June 03, 2003 02:31 AM
I may be the exception here - I don't try to get the customer to *pick me - I choose my clients.
Much of the work I do involves close/daily interaction with clients - that can be harder to acheive with distance clients. If we're not a good *match the client isn't going to be happy (neither am I)- I'd rather find out upfront (and refer elsewhere).
In the ten+ years I've been around only one would-be client took exception - many more have appreciated my honesty (and referred others to me)
The bulk of my business comes thru word of mouth - for me customer service, meeting deadlines, delivering what I promise create happy clients who tell others.
------------------ Laura AKA tenXmom Fundraisers - Burned out with candles and candy?
posted February 08, 2004 12:09 PM
Whoah! I don't get into this forum much, so I totally overlooked this question. I thought I would bump it up, because even if you don't answer it publicly, you should answer this for yourself.
In fact, this is one of THE most important questions you need to answer for yourself. It helps you define your USP (unique selling proposition), helps you create benefit statements, etc.
If YOU can't answer this question, your customers aren't going to be bothered looking for the answer -- and you'll lose a customer. Pretty much every business person really does need to know the answer to this question, and then needs to be able to clearly convey the reasons to the customer.
posted January 01, 2005 09:52 PM
My best advise for any successful business is having a dynamic website (it helps immensly if it is also the same name as your business) and don't forget to keep an open mind, never settle, and most of all, CONSTANTLY keep changing it to keep it fresh and interesting. Debbie Wee Piggies www.weepiggies.com
posted January 02, 2005 01:36 PM
Well for one of my sites, http://www.mustardseedbracelets.com , I make wallet cards to go with the product. I think it adds a special touch.
Also I have read many things on sales... that you are selling what something will do for a person not the product itself. So, I'm selling inspiration in the form of jewelry. My diddy on my site is They're not just accessories; they're wearable inspiration!
This is a great topic!
Tiffany
------------------ TomboyPrincess.com where we are all about the things that go best with your favorite broken-in jeans. http://www.tomboyprincess.com
posted January 03, 2005 12:27 PM
I think the biggest thing is to put the customer first. Word will get around. Most companies have a great product, and are pretty competatively priced, to set yourself apart. It ahs to be about relationships. Cater to your clients, know their needs and put them first, don't make it about you and your bottom line, make it about them and what they need.
n
------------------ The World's Most Flexible Business Opportunity! www.thegabrielnetwork.com
posted January 23, 2005 02:56 PM
I can offer awesome customer service and the chance to play before you buy, as well as parenting workshops. And for my business, I just let everyone know its fun and that its an option. They need to find their passion, I found mine. If they want more info, I'm more then happy to share.
Debbie
------------------ Debbie, Discovery Toys Group Manager www.discoverytoyslink.com/debbie 2005 Los Cabos Trip Earner & President's Club Achiever
posted February 21, 2005 05:25 PM
My business is a franchise and I've been able to double the business in the first six months and quadruple the business after three years.
How did I do it? I agree with the poster that even if you don't post the answer to this question publicly it's a good question to answer for yourself.
The simple answer is that I worked hard to serve each and every client well. Return calls ASAP, go the extra mile to match clients with the right care giver and send out thank you's and gift certificates for referals and bulk bookings.
I've had a ton of marketing ideas but simply haven't had the time to implement them. Exceptional service wins every time!
------------------ Sitters Unlimited - quality child care for Orange County, CA www.kco1.net/sitters
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posted May 26, 2003 04:24 PM
