What's The Best Advice In An Economic Downturn?

Be fair, attentive, and customers
will return.

In an economic downturn,
customer satisfaction is
crucial. Actually, it's
important three-hundred-
sixty-five days a year.


People, in general, are
short on time and money.
They are concerned about
how their money is spent,
and on what.

There are numerous ads on
posters, television, at
the market, store fronts,
libraries, and cars are
sporting messages to buy.

Customers have access to
information via the
Internet. They are informed.

They will buy your product
or service if you've answered
the following.

Will your product or service
save me money? Why should I
buy your product or service?
How can your product or service
help me? Will it make me money?
Will my life be improved?

Answer one or more of those
questions before presenting the
sales campaign. The answer(s)
must be stirred in the
advertisement.

"There isn't one thing, but several
to help in an economic downturn."
You stabbed your eyes at the title.

You're right. There are other means
to get customers to return, but one
action on your part is essential.

Yes, new ideas, cutting-edge products
or services, better technology,
and easy payment plans help repeat
business. Also, answering
questions when it's not a good time,
and resolving issues that arise with
customer purchases. These simple
actions bring customers
back.

"What brings 'em back?" You tapped
three fingers on your desk.

The secret to keeping a customer is
consistent behavior. It pulls customers
back faster than anything else. The
principles that landed you their trust
is the glue securing additional
business from them.

Consistency, no matter where, is
relaxing. It's easier, better,
to deal with.

Happy customers advertise for you.
They tell friends, associates, which
means new customers.

Clients, customers, mouth-to-mouth
advertising is more productive than
an ad placed by you. Mouth-to-mouth
ads spread faster. You're likely to see
results with it, first. A big advantage
to you is that it's free.

Let's look at an example.

A customer buys fresh fruits and
vegetables from your place of business.
A play-area sits in front of the store.
The customer leaves her baby there while
shopping. Of course, there's an attendant,
maybe three.

The lady, when finished shopping, takes
her baby home.

The baby is tired from the trip, playing,
and takes a nap.

The mother unpacks groceries, undisturbed.
She does other duties around the house
before the baby wakes up. Perhaps, she
naps too.

The customer is happy with the consistency,
order, and the flow of her day.

What would happen if the play-area
was removed?

It forces the lady to get-up earlier, or
run late for the day.

"Why?" You questioned.

She'll need time to adjust her plans,
routine, before shopping.

She dislikes the time spent to find a
sitter. A sitter for her child is
expensive. Maybe, she can find a
relative to take care of the child.

She has to slice time away to
arrive at the relative's house. Allow
the child to get comfortable before
leaving.

The customer is rushing by the time
she gets to your store, and cranky.
Consistency is removed.

The baby cried on the way to the
relative's house. The baby felt the
mother's frustration.

The customer will look for a store
closer to where the baby-sitter lives.

At your store, she's stressed.

The ripple effect happened because
one factor was removed, and that was
consistency.

Customers will return to consistent
behavior from you, your product, or
service. The secret is using the same
principles that closed the deal on day
one. Customers will word-of-mouth
advertise for you, which brings new
customers. Customers purchase
products or services if they see benefits
in doing so.