Did You Betray Your Small Business Today?

Many business owners betray their business without realizing it. Their marketing campaign delivers a message to consumers. They promise a particular experience, level of service, and product/service – then within the first few minutes of the sales process, they break that promise. These business owners have a hard time closing a sale.

It is common to lose a sale, or take time to learn how to sell through a particular venue, ie, PPC, Organic, Social Networking, etc. However, when you fail to sell in all areas, then it is time to take a ‘grass roots’ look at the company.

Small Business Branding

The first step is to make sure that your branding and marketing campaign does not make promises that you cannot deliver. It is easy to promise great service, friendly attitudes, and quick delivery – but if you do not convey this while chatting with clients, then it becomes difficult to make the sale. Branding starts with the business logo design and ends with the business owner’s attitude.

Customer Feed Back

Listen to the customers. Find out what motivates them to buy. What problems do they need solved? Once you know these, then – and only then – it is time to try selling them. Letting consumers offer feedback through blogs, forums, and comments is a perfect way to find out if your branding and service meet the customer’s expectations.

Are Your Expectations Realistic?

Remember that customer’s expectations change. A customer may want one thing at Christmas time that they may not want in September.  Recently I read a query in a business forum. The business owner was angry because his sales dropped in June and July. Of course, he blamed the marketing and advertising company. After some banter, the business owner admitted that the drop was only 3 weeks old – and started in June.

When the forum group suggested that the person’s product was not needed in June, the business owner became indignant and hired another marketing firm. This business owner did not understand the client at all. It is difficult to conduct a successful marketing campaigning while ignoring the customers.

Customers Come First

Placing the customers first is the best way to stay on top. If there are problems with a customer’s experiences or expectations then fix the elements that are damaging the customer’s experience and causes any element in your system to under perform.