Customers: The Entrepreneurial Blueprint For Marketing Success

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Customer discovery

The headline to this article that Customers Are The Entrepreneurial Blueprint For Marketing Success is a rather obvious statement. However, it is being emphasized here to express the point that what is obvious or may seem routine is oftentimes the very thing that is neglected in entrepreneurships and businesses all over the world, and invariably leads to the failure of those businesses. Thus the question…

How well do you know your customers? a little introspection can get the ball rolling in you getting a pretty good idea of who your customers are and exactly what is the primary reason your they (customers and/or clients) come to your website, product page or – if your business is offline – your business establishment? What is the primary reason your customers purchase your product or service? What is the Number One problem you solve for them? Do you know? Are you certain? If you don’t know or are not certain, your marketing could be missing the mark, and you could be missing out on sales.

Uncovering Your “Key Selling Point”

This is the Single Marketing Message that is central in all of your communications about your business, product or service. You might say it is your Unique Sales Proposition. It can be difficult for small business owners to determine what their single marketing message or USP should be. Why? Because they are too close to their business; And, because they are viewing their business from their side of the desk, or counter as the case may be.

That having been said, how are you keeping your marketing customer-focused and dealing with the challenges it is most certain to present? And even if you, the forward thinking business owner have figured out how to meet such a challenge, have you considered looking at your business from our customers’ perspective? We both know it’s often easier said than done. It very easy to many business owners to get caught up in all the amazing features of our product or service and the reasons WE THINK our clients are attracted to or buying from us.

But sometimes our vantage point is clouded by our own perceptions and beliefs. And those perceptions and beliefs may be inaccurate. So how do you pinpoint the real reason customers are attracted to your product or service and the true reasons they are choosing to buy?

The easy way to stay on track

Very simply, YOU ASK THEM! Okay, I know it seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how often we don’t think of the obvious, a sentiment expressed earlier in this post. Your prospects and customers (and yes, even your non-buyers) can provide great insights about the benefits they value most in your product or service and why they chose to buy, or not buy, in the case of the non-buyers.

Let’s get straight to a very integral part of every entrepreneur’s duty – yes, I said duty – which will bring things more into focus: Research! You don’t have to have a large customer or prospect base to do some research and see if you are on track; because even if you only have a handful of clients or customers, you could contact them and ask them what they like most about your product or service.

Talk to your Clients or Customers

  1. What is the one thing that got them to purchase?
  2. Have you delivered on that promise?
  3. What do they like least about your product or service?
  4. How could you improve your product or service?
  5. What else (in your business category) do they have a need for?
  6. How else could you help them be successful, be happier, or solve whatever problem your product or service solves for them?

Talk to & survey your non-buyers (This have been done very successfully by a number of eCommerce companies) – find out why they DIDN’T buy.

  • Ask them what product or service they bought instead of yours? And why?
  • Ask them what that competing product or service offered that yours did not?
  • Ask if there is anything you could do to get their business in the future? Product or service changes, additions, deletions?

Talk to your Prospects

Do you have a list of prospects – those who have expressed an interest in your product or service but have not yet purchased? Perhaps they have subscribed to your newsletter or ezine.

  • Ask them for feedback on your newsletter or ezine content.
  • What topics are they interested in learning more about?
  • How can you help them to be more successful, happier, etc?
  • Find out what they want and who they are.

And in all three cases — Clients/Customers, Rejecters, and Prospects — if it seems appropriate, ask for a little information about who they are. Age, gender, profession, where they live, how much they typically spend in your product or service category.

This will help you get a better understanding of your target audience and you’ll know if you are attracting the kind of people you thought would be interested in your product or service. And if you need to change your marketing strategy to reach a different audience, or to perhaps change your target audience, doing so will help you better serve them.

 

The more you can learn about your prospects and customers the better you can serve them. And the more effectively you can market to them. You may be in for a surprise, but customers and prospects will tell you why they are buying from you or not buying, if they are asked. What you hear surprise you.

Very often what you hear can help you zero-in on a Unique Selling Proposition that you never thought of. And because it came from the mouths of your customers you know it is compelling and effective, but don’t change everything based on a few opinions.

My only caution is if you only have a handful of customers or prospects to survey, don’t make any major changes or decisions until you are able to validate your findings among a larger group of people… Or at least test any changes you do make before making a final decision to overhaul your entire business or marketing plan. Common sense is the rule here. Just use your own good judgment and don’t over-react to comments made by only a handful of people.

Don’t be afraid to ASK

There are any number of ways to collect research from your prospects and customers. You can telephone them, email them, mail them a written questionnaire, or you can meet with them in a group (called a focus group) to collect their opinions. You can be as formal or informal as is comfortable for you, while also making them as comfortable as you possibly can. Typically the larger number of clients you survey, the more formal the survey. If you have only a handful of people to talk to, simply pick up the phone and call them.

Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions on your products or services or how you can serve your clients better. What you find out could be extremely valuable in helping you to build and grow your business; And…

Don’t forget to say the magical word(s): “Thanks” or “Thank you”, as the case may be.

You will also want to consider offering an incentive to encourage your prospects and clients to participate or respond. A bonus, such as a special report, or a discount on a future purchase is a nice way to show your appreciation for them taking the time to respond to your survey.

Read more about the entrepreneurial experience and business-related topics take a look at some of the following articles published right on this website:

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