Attracting new customers can be challenging, but when you do, you want to make sure they are impressed with what your business has to offer. As a business owner, this often means that you will have to go above and beyond what your customer expects. Whether it is continuously engaging your existing customers or attracting new ones, maintaining a good impression on your brand could create lifetime relationships with your ideal customers.
The actions you must engage to attract your customers will differ from business to business, but it is worth knowing that it will always be an investment in the end. Oftentimes satisfying customers is not easy, and an effective marketing plan is not cheap. However, going to great lengths to achieve a good balance will ensure that you are building a brand that lasts.
In the end, every business owner knows that happy customers lead to success. So how do you impress customers so that they not only return but also spread the word about your business?
Here are six tips to help you stand out from the competition and impress your customers:
01
Focus on quality Marketing efforts
The first step to impressing new customers and even potential new business partners rests in working on how you present your business. If you try to save money on marketing, you must keep in mind that the quality and value of your marketing strategies are going to be what leaves an impression on your customers. Being conscious about Socially Responsible Marketing (SRM) is the first step in creating a brand that resonates with a larger audience.
Moreover, when you are planning your next marketing campaign, think bigger, but effective. Hire a drone to record your shots, invest in animation (create an animation video), and do what other businesses are not doing. You can learn more about getting a drone for your business and explore new technologies that can help you achieve your vision.
It might sound like you are being a bit over the top, but going for what is new and premium in the market is exactly what you need to grab the attention of both customers and partners. Why? Because these tools will allow you to achieve the best results possible. Quality is always an indicator of a business’s success, so make sure you are communicating this to your audience.
02
Keep open communication
When you buy a product from a new business, you want to know that you are going to get what you have paid for. If you do not and are not satisfied, you will want to know that you can easily and quickly communicate with the business about getting it sorted. If you keep your communications closed, you are not going to be able to reassure your customers that their orders are secure and that they are not going to lose out when they buy from you.
It is also important to be ready to answer any questions about your products or services, as you may have prospective customers who are ready to make a purchase but would like to learn just a little more. The quicker you answer their questions, the more likely you are to address their concerns and make a sale, so have someone ready and waiting to respond to all customers who write in. It may even be a good idea to have an automated response set up for certain questions.
03
Provide quality products & services
It is one thing to show off and make many promises about your products and services, but you must ensure that you are capable of actually following through with them. You would not want to waste a great marketing campaign on something that your customer is ultimately going to be disappointed with. When you are making these promises of quality, be confident that you can deliver them. Sure, quality products and services are more expensive to put out, but this is fundamental if you want your business to grow a reputation for quality.
Selling poor-quality products is going to be cheaper for you, and will save you a chunk of money in the short term, but it is not great for long-term business; It is disappointing, and if your competitors are offering better products while being heavily committed to socially responsible practices, you are going to lose your customers to them. It is important that if you change up suppliers at some point, you do not lose the quality that you have always provided. Your existing customers may feel cheated, and your business’ reputation will decline.
04
Surprise them
If you have highly anticipated products, features, or services you are planning to launch, know that the wait can kill the excitement for your customers. If you are going to announce something, you will want to make sure you are not announcing it too early on in the process. Being spontaneous is much more effective and allows customers to make their purchases based on the excitement, rather than waiting for all of the hype around it to die.
The problem with many marketing campaigns is that by the time it is released, customers have moved on. Since customers are constantly bombarded with marketing messages, their purchasing decisions rely on their immediate needs being met, so timing is everything. Ensure that your marketing campaigns are lined up in a way that guarantees that you are maximizing your reach and engagement.
The truth is, no one is going to complain about sudden positive changes within your business that came without a formal announcement. Implementing a reward system? No need to announce it beforehand. Hosting a sale? Announcing it too early is not going to do your business any good. Let things be spontaneous—your customers will be excited to know that you have been diligently working on new things. If you already have the right marketing channels in place, like social media, you can quickly announce these things just in time for customers to take part.
05
Offer rewards & incentives
If there is one thing that is sure to impress your customers, it is seeing that you are giving out rewards and incentives to returning customers. It is not often that a business surprises its customers with free products, so reward programs are a very good way to create a loyal community. Allowing your customers a discount after spending a certain amount of money, or giving them a free product after a certain number of purchases, will make them more likely to return to your business over a competitor’s.
Of course, if not done correctly, these reward systems can work against you, so it is important that you plan it out properly and make sure you can implement it without it costing your business in the long run. The good thing about having rewards as incentives is that it might be what causes your business to grow quicker in popularity, which is why it is worth implementing so long as you are prepared. Having to remove a rewards program later down the line is not going to be good for your reputation, so be sure to plan it out so that you can justify these expenses and guarantee a return on your investment.
Luseta Beauty is a company we discovered that has this all figured out. The way they bring rewards to their most loyal customers is through various ways to earn “petals”, which they have used to term their rewards points. From free shipping and vouchers to free products and birthday petals, they are making it fun to shop with them. Why would customers not want to be rewarded for the things they buy? They also offer access to exclusive promotions and tester panels with different tiers depending on how much customers spend within a year.
06
Listen to feedback
It is not often that a customer gets to feel the reward of having taken part in the development or improvement of a business. It helps the customer to feel valued, and it shows that the brand itself cares about what its customers want. Taking feedback from your customers and using it to improve your business can be a great way to show that you value your customers, and are committed to providing a positive experience for them.
When you ask for and act on customer feedback, you are showing your customers that their opinion matters. This can help build trust with your customers in a day and age where the customer really influences every aspect of a business. It can also be a big differentiator in today's crowded market and can lead to increased customer retention and referrals.
Takeaways
Overall, impressing customers is about much more than just delivering a product or service. It is about customer service, being a trusted solution, and building a relationship with those who choose to do business with you when they could have easily gone elsewhere. Let them know that they are valued and that they made the right decision. When customers see that you are not just in business for profit, but rather to deliver an exceptional experience and provide long-term value, they will be more committed to your brand and look to you for their future needs.