The following is a partnered post…
If you’re running a business that has a bricks and mortar location, you have the chance of becoming popular enough to become the next local hot spot. Bars, restaurants, markets, and even cute little mom and pop stores can reach the big leagues here. It’s a matter of building a customer base loyal enough that they come back time and time again, never stop talking about you, and recommend you to everyone they know.
While this is a lot of work for a little business, the work starts right in the middle of your operations, meaning you could even make a change today! As such, here are three ways to encourage this loyalty and popularity amongst your customer base.
Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
Every business has the chance to build a welcoming atmosphere. Set the vibe with the way customers are greeted, if help is available to them as they browse, and don’t forget about the sound and scent of the air around them.
If a customer feels at home within your business, meaning they feel relaxed and like they’re in the right place, they’re not going to be afraid to come back. This effect gets around and is likely one of the first things a customer is going to tell their friends about.
Host Exciting Events
If people have a reason to come down and check you out, they’re going to find it a lot easier to step through those doors. After all, with an event on, it’s not just about the shopping experience anymore.
You’ve positioned yourself as more of a social spot, where they can hang out with friends and meet new people, and they’ll subsequently spend a lot more time inside your business than they would if they were just there to buy something.
But what kind of events are exciting enough to draw the crowd? It’s all about what your target market is interested in. If you run a bar, look into games to play at a bar and run regular game nights. If you run a restaurant, see if you can book a live band to play once a month. Or if you run a clothing boutique, run a late night sale that’s limited to the first 100 customers or so.
Encourage Your Staff to Remember Customers
If your staff remember the regulars who pop in on a weekly basis, you’ll be able to create an even more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere within your workplace! Encourage your employees to take note of who comes in more than once, and if possible, try to engage with these customers specifically.
If a return customer feels like they’re being appreciated for being a return customer, it’s going to lead to two things. First, they’re going to come back again. Second, they’re also going to mention this memorably personal touch in the review they leave.
With a little effort, your business could be the next big thing! Become a hotspot with these easy moves.
Leave a Reply