Step one is to really make sure you have aligned the image you are projecting with the one it is giving back. In other words- If you are attracting the wrong kind of customers, getting little traction online or not seeing the results you were expecting, chances are there is something that needs to shift.
Take a look at your brand “look” – This includes not only your logo, but the kind of imagery you use on your products, on your website and in your social media. Depending on your business this could even be how you personally dress and how you portray yourself online.
Take a look at your brand “voice” – the written or spoken word. What do you say about yourself online? What do your reviews say? What does the tone convey? Are you upbeat and casual or formal and precise? If you are constantly a debbie downer you will most likely not attract the right type of people to your brand.
Take a look at your brand “story” –Do you make yourself out to be the mom and pop shop down the street or are you a large company who portrays yourself as such? Perhaps your story reflects one thing, but you are actually another which is causing confusion for your perfect customer and any potential customer down the line. Once these pieces all line up you need to look at ways to grow loyalty. Many times the more transparent your brand becomes towards your business loyalty happens on its own. You can, however, take some of the following opportunities to fast track your customers coming back for more.
Define Purpose – Show your perfect customer your ultimate purpose and be open and honest about it. If you are in it to make a difference, don’t hide it. Tell people your mission, don’t just list some mission statement you leave on your website. Make sure your brand lives by this statement. Want to work on this some more? –> Build Your Online Business NOW
Be Superior and 100% Humble – Now i’m not saying go out and brag about how fabulous you are but you do have to let it be known that you are the expert in your industry. Talk about what makes your business better than all the rest (Is it quality? Service? Maybe materials?). But always follow it up with a gracious acceptance.
Make Customer Service Your #1 Priority – Sometimes a copy and paste script or a quick email seem like the simple way to solve problems, But 9 times out of 10 if you just listen to your customer and offer solution/resolution, customers will be HAPPY all over again. Think for a moment about the companies you know and love who have superior customer service (chick-fil-a). Pay attention to aspects of great customer service that you like and try implementing it in your own business.
Deliver as Promised – Things can be out of your control at times, but when at all possible deliver exactly what was promised, on time, without fail. Being a reliable resource keeps people around and it also makes them way more likely to share your company as a referral to someone else.
Show Your True Colors – Don’t pretend to be anyone else and do NOT mimic others tactics, games or style. You started your own business for a reason! Now put a little more of you back into it. There’s no reason to build a business where you force yourself to be someone you’re not.
Time Will Tell – Sometimes the only thing left to do is wait. All businesses and brands have a lifecycle and you have to listen them. Put in the hustle, make strategic decisions, tweak and repeat. You’ve got this!