Do they think of you first?

Make sure you stand out from your competition.

We see businesses come and go. None of us want to fall into the latter category.

So many factors play a role in our success, but there are a few universal points to keep you on the side of success.

Exposure This is a broad topic we’ll delve into more in future postings. The bottom line, though, is that your customer must know you exist. And since our busy minds tend to be forgetful, they must be constantly reminded. So often over the years I see people with a great idea open the doors of their business believing people will come. Great ideas don’t make people buy your product. Knowing how great your idea is does.

There are many ways to build exposure—advertising, promotions, publicity, and more. We’ve worked with budgets of all sizes to find the ideal way to get the word out. In today’s digital world, the task has become even easier.

Customer Service Customers that feel cared for return. Everyone on your staff is a customer service representative regardless of what department they work in. I’ve been re-reading How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. I think it should be on the bookshelf of every business (or better yet—in the hands of a staff member!). Published in 1936, the information still rings true.
Be aware of your customers needs and work hard to satisfy them. Let your staff know what you expect and remember the small things count, too. Have you ever noticed how a smile and kind word can change a less than stellar day? Your customers do.

Knowledge In our fast changing world, it’s critical to know what’s going on in the world around you. Make it a point every day to not only read the paper and watch the news but to learn more about your industry. Read business magazines and trade journals. Follow trends and what your competition is doing. Keep an open mind and always ask yourself, what can we do better?
Be sure to subscribe to the right and take advantage of our experience and free information and check out our company website at www.PublishingPeople.com.

—by Vicki Dar

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