How to Get Customer and Audience Feedback…

How to Get Customer and Audience Feedback…

by | Apr 30, 2021 | Analytics, CRM, Customer-centric strategy, Database, Personalize data marketing, Sales

and three quick ways to use it today!

You need to create the right attention

For many, feedback is detrimental-a negative, unplanned disturbance. It’s that dreadful, high-pitched squeal from the public-address system that sometime occurs when the speaker at the podium first opens his or her mouth to say, “Good morning.” Good, no more.

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Make some good moves with the music

In business, there’s another form of feedback. This is the response you get from customers and prospects from a campaign, a press release, a post or how customers use your product or service. The answers tell you how well your company is doing or where improvements you can make.

  1. Naturally, the very best feedback you can get is a sale–cash in your bank account. Then ask yourself what precipitated a purchase.
  2. The next best feedback is to have a customer or prospect–really talk to you and tell you what they feel good or bad.
  3. In the world of the most preeminent companies, those that invite feedback–and use it to improve–continue to outperform those who do the same thing over and over.

 

So, get creative, get bold.

Not only do these companies seek honest evaluations about their performances, but they also present the data to the sales and marketing teams, customer service, and the product development team. The more a person knows then uses the information to make future campaigns successful.

Before you think of mailing a survey, there probably are many questionnaires and surveys floating around that responses can be slim. So, get creative, get bold. Start with the number one tool to get your customer information.

Pick up the phone, or get in your car, motorcycle, truck, or what gets you from point A to point B and lead your team, to talk to customers, one to one, and listen, listen, listen, and then you can react to the feedback! 

Canned questions are fine, but use them as thought starters. Let customers talk to you and tell you, in their own words, what they see, hear about your company and their impression.

Look at what other companies are doing.

To become a useful tool, you must transform data into information that can help drive strategic direct marketing and selling programs, financial decisions, and product development. To minimize manual data collection and conserve resources, a company should focus on metrics for readily available data.

In today’s direct and digital marketing, data will capture information needed to drive decisions. The idea of having a good marketing automation tool to capture more data at a reasonable price is a worthwhile investment. The Pareto Principal comes into play when you collect data. Twenty percent of your customers usually provide eighty percent of your revenue. Buy a CRM or database and build one today.

Adding value-oriented work habits.

When you summarize feedback as charts, graphs, or simple to understand language, you’ll always know the score. You know if you’re winning or losing–and to what degree. 

Go get’em slugger!

Let me know what you think.

mdoc@direct2customers.com

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Direct marketing copy is like a puzzle.

Sharing my time with you is not over at the end of a post. There are many ideas I experienced in owning a small business. My ideas about using and writing direct marketing and customer-centric copy are intertwined in the marketing, advertising, and selling content, articles, reports based on my philosophy of people learn by reading, then learn by doing.

Please join our Direct2Customers Marketing Community today!

Learning by reading and doing, marketing, and selling ideas, is what you will find in your Direct2Customer Community. Join us today by clicking on the button.

This is what I do and what I love to do.

Thanks again for reading. Questions?

Mdoc@direct2customers.com or 800-251-3608

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How to Get Customer and Audience Feedback…

The Art of Copywriting

by | Mar 23, 2021 | Copy content, customer-centric, Direct 2 Customers landing page, Direct marketing, Sales

The Art of Copywriting

When you write marketing copy, do you get tense?

Let's Write With Present Tense

The Skill of Copy

In the game of baseball, I asked a newcomer, “How fast can you make it from first to third on a single?”

If you write the marketing copy in the present tense, then you are likely to get a better response. By that I mean your direct-marketing copy will fall short of the mark you aimed at by making far off, distant promises.

For example –

  • Our product will make your cookies taste sweeter.
  • Our concept will make you sell more.
  • Our program will make you move up the corporate ladder.

When you use the present tense, you keep the promise and the payoff close to the reader – right here, right now, and get it today!

My colleagues in direct marketing always look for words that work for dollars. The present tense offers the reader immediate satisfaction now and not in the future.

Look at the simple corrections made to the three previous sentences.

  • Our product makes your cookies sweeter.
  • Our concept makes you richer.
  • Our program makes you reach that promotion.

Tomorrow always seems to be here before you know it. The present tense has the most direct marketing potential for record-breaking sales because it is here today, ready to sell and to deliver on every promise.

Remember, direct marketing copy pulls the reader in and makes an offer to get the sale now.

Getting Close to Home

I hope you made sense out of my little play upon the word tense. Because the alternative might be a double play! That is the skill of attraction.

I know some marketers say having many people on the fence waiting to buy would call that a success. That is not the right way of using direct marketing. Why wait when you can have the present tense working for you every day?

Another change of writing helps if you know how to go from first to third.

If you like posting testimonials supporting your product, go from the first person to the third person.

Writing in the first-person narrative means copy from the “I” point of view. For example, “I use product X every day and never miss another appointment.”

Writing in the first person is more personal sounding, but if nobody knows the person making that statement, it is boring.

Let us look at writing as the third person. This form of writing stems from the well-informed point of view.

For example,

“My name is John Smith, President of XYZ Company, and 99.5% who have purchased Product X, make more in sales than all the other products combined.”

The third person is more authoritative by mentioning the person by name, his or her position and further, by building a clearer brand image for company X.

When writing marketing copy, such as a testimonial, test it on other people, some you know, to see if the copy meets your objectives.

It is always helpful to remember. Direct to customers!

Please share with others–except your competition!

Direct marketing copy is like a puzzle.

Sharing my time with you is not over at the end of a post. There are many ideas I experienced in owning a small business. My ideas about using and writing direct marketing and customer-centric copy are intertwined in the marketing, advertising, and selling content, articles, reports based on my philosophy of people learn by reading, then learn by doing.

Please join our Direct2Customers Marketing Community today!

Learning and doing, marketing, and selling ideas, is what you will find in your Direct2Customer Community. Join us today by clicking on the button.

This is what I do and what I love to do.

Thanks again for reading. Questions?

Mdoc@direct2customers.com or 800-251-3608

JOIN US

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How to Get Customer and Audience Feedback…

Are you looking for a higher revenue stream?

by | Mar 13, 2021 | Creative strategies, Customer-centric strategy, Direct marketing, Personalize data marketing, Sales

I have what you are looking for.

Answer a few tough questions

Building a business and marketing plan will teach you more about your customers, competition, direct or indirect, your industry and what other small businesses are doing. You are not in school anymore, so it permits copying.

But, in business planning, you need to answer some tough questions. If you are tackling a plan for the very first time, you need to build a planning and marketing advisor’s team. Select first from your employees. After all, they need to speak up, but please, no punishment from past discretions. Some of your best ideas may come from them.

Search for Answers

Meet with non-competing business associates you admire and even your customers. Other people to know may be in your local chamber of commerce, junior colleges, a community business association or in local business schools.

Visit your local bookstore, a university or junior college library, or venture online to find a ton of books, podcasts, and many gurus to check out for help. Keep in mind, your team members may have some ideas in the area. I recommend not to venture here until you visited the pervious suggested people.

A quick tip- Some people are best at answering questions when a question comes up during a conversation. Here are a few probing questions to help you get the ball rolling:

1. A situation analysis is a significant start to help you change.

This company analysis involves evaluation of your company’s objectives, strategy, and capabilities. It will enable you to determine the strength of your business model, whether there are areas for improvement. For example, understanding your business capabilities, customer types, business environment, product, pricing, and revenue.

As written above, some people are best at answering a question during a conversation. The situation analysis is a great tool for your company leadership and team members. For example.

  • Precisely define your company and your product or service.
  • If you offer a product, define what it is, how is the product used, how is it put together, and what are the expected results.
  • If you offer a service, tell us what you sell in seven words or fewer, and what a customer receives when they buy it, how the service will perform for the person and who purchases it, and specify the single most important benefit.
  • Then, in order of importance, describe which features will appeal to your marketplace.
  • In order of importance, define the products/services your company offers. (Be as complete as possible.)

2. Let's Take A Look at Your Organization

  • In one sentence, describe what your company does. Do you have a USP(Unique Selling Proposition)? If yes, attach it with your answers to these questions.
  • How long have you been in business?
  • How is the company organized (subsidiary, division, franchise, etc?).
  • Are the current product lines or services meeting their goals and objectives? Please list them in importance of their success.
  • What is your knowledge about products and/or services information from customers is telling you?
  • Describe what you think your target audience knows—and feels—about your company and the products/services, in terms of quality, features, style, brand names, etc.
  • Describe what you think or know what your target audience knows and feels about your competition.
  • What areas of product (or services) and brand strategy need improvement?
  • Have you developed research profiles of each customer segment?
  • How is your company presently positioned in your industry? What is your company known for?

In today’s business environment you need to learn as much as possible about customers, transactions, and who is the next customer to serve. It is not as easy as looking at customers and the products they purchase and to make a mental note of the differences.

A company needs a business model to focus on what customers want and even how they think, recording answers in a database. Do not fall into the trap of building a major campaign on logic or a gut-feeling–it is a formula for disaster.

Join Us and Get A FREE Hour

If you want to get a feel for questions asked and answered, sign up for free today for our Direct2Customers Marketing Community. Plus, I will spend one hour free helping you with the questioning for the Situation Analysis, No. 1. Click on the button below and add” Situation” in the company tab.

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   Please share with others – except your competition!

   Sharing time with you is genuinely appreciated. Please join our Direct2Customers Marketing Community today!

  Learning and doing, marketing, and selling ideas, is what you’ll find at your Direct2Customer Community. 

  It’s what I do. It’s what I love to do. 

  Thanks again for reading. Questions?  Mdoc@direct2customers.com or 800-251-3608 

         

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How to Get Customer and Audience Feedback…

Another way to use a call-to-action (CTA)

by | Mar 3, 2021 | Creative strategies, Customer-centric strategy, Direct marketing mail, Sales

Another Way to Use A Call-to-Action (CTA)

What other words inspire action?

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I Love 2 Inspire

Once someone clicks on your CTA they go to your website or landing page. If the marketing term of “call-to-action” sounds like a military term, I like to use “inspire.” Also, call-to-action always reminds me of the word “sale.” Just about everyone loves a sale.

Learn by reading

It’s not a sale

But, depending on what you are selling, maybe the word sale is closed in. Simply, it’s not a sale. The mere thought of a sale is not your brand. If you plan to sell your brand to a new segment in your database, the product or service you select must appear less price sensitive,

Learn b y doing

A bit of motivation

Is the word inspire better than call-to-action? Inspire leaves a positive feeling for a customer by telling them the secrets of how to use your product or service benefits. Just about anything but a sale. If your product works the way you hype it, people will buy it at a fair price.

Learn More

At all times learning

L

Inspiration

My first boss taught me how to make dough. Using fifty pounds of flour at one time. He inspired me to learn.

L

Upselling

So, I learned how to “work” a customer. After the order is complete, I was told to remind them to order product B or C, which go nicely with a pizza.

L

Will not fail

I learned a lot from my first boss. He hired me when I was a sophomore in high school. I did not want to fail him.

L

Learn by reading and doing

It was another introduction for me to learn by reading, learn by doing. I attended a technical high school that used a similar vocation of learning. I thrived in that environment!

L

Know your customer reach

As a marketer or salesperson, help your customers feel they want to do something. Maybe they need more information, a sample of the product or service or “buy this product and you can do this or that or whatever you want to do.” Inspire them.

L

Confidence and motivation

The word confidence is another good marketing term to use. Does your product or service provide confidence by the way it works or how to use it. Maybe to fulfill an ego? That works well, it creates great loyalty. Maybe motivate yourself to find more words.

Learn by Reading…

A ton of how-2-do articles, reports, etc.

 

 

Learn by Doing...

We'll share our ideas and experience

Summary

What other words align with inspiration? Besides, from my first boss.

Learn by reading, learn by doing. You’ll find how in the Direct-2-Customer Community.

Learn By Joining DIRECT-2-CUSTOMERS

Please consider joining us today.

Mdoc@direct2customers,com

You'll Learn By Reading

In the past twenty years, are collection of articles, reports, and white papers were published consistently. Now, we are adding all our publications to our Library of Marketing. Ask to select one or two today.

We'll share our learning by doing ideas and experience

When we send an article or two with you, do not hesitate to contact us. I have a lot of information to share and look forward to the opportunity.to help you take that next step, and it’s usually free. 

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MORE READING

Seven Fundraiser Tips to Reach Supporters…

Seven Fundraiser Tips to Reach Supporters…

and learn how a few tactics will win over your customers.  Direct Marketing+Mail comprises many distinct elements to help your customers buy your products. When you add them up in your head, you can easily lose track because there are so many.Never stop at one. Let us...

How to Get Customer and Audience Feedback…

How to Get Customer and Audience Feedback…

Before you think of mailing a survey, there probably are many questionnaires and surveys floating around that responses can be slim. So, get creative, get bold. Start with the number one tool to get your customer information.

How Every Direct Marketing Strategy Will Perform in Your Business…

How Every Direct Marketing Strategy Will Perform in Your Business…

View marketing as a science. Whatever product or service you offer your audience, everyone is different. The larger the audience, you must adjust your data collection and analysis. You will need to adjust or add new segments and customer profiles on a schedule. Change comes and goes differently within your audience. You are always reading and always doing.

   Please share with others – except your competition!

   Sharing time with you is genuinely appreciated. Please join our Direct2Customers Marketing Community today!

  Learning and doing, marketing, and selling ideas, is what you’ll find at your Direct2Customer Community. 

  It’s what I do. It’s what I love to do. 

  Thanks again for reading. Questions?  Mdoc@direct2customers.com or 800-251-3608 

         

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2021 J. Mike Deuerling
How to Survive and Succeed in A New Small Business…

How to Survive and Succeed in A New Small Business…

by | Feb 26, 2021 | Analytics, Creative strategies, CRM, Customer-centric strategy, direct mail, Direct marketing, Email tactical, Personalize data marketing, Sales, Selling

...or To Correctly Reorganize One

Making either decision is difficult. Nobody wants to fail. If you decide not to give up the ghost, and give it a shot, keep it simple. Look closely at your company’s operations and strategies. Determine what you need to improve.

What do you know about your customers and prospects? Customers are hard to get or to keep. Marketing and sales must perform and to meet their goals.

There are a variety of practical steps to take with marketing and advertising your company’s products and services to your prospects and customers.

First, let me talk about what a company needs.

(Top of right column) ->

What your company needs.

You need a business marketing strategy on how you plan to sell your products and services to prospects. When you sell and get a few customers, you will need a strategic marketing plan in place to boost your customer totals and revenue.
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For a small business, I highly recommend a direct marketing strategy. Direct marketing means just that–sending a message directly to a prospect or customer who more than likely will make a purchase.

Next, you will need a list of contacts that have a propensity to buy and tell them why your product is the right choice for them. You will need a copywriter that knows persuadable copywriting.

Last you need creative marketing and advertising offers that your products were made for them. Direct marketing goals include a prospect to buy directly from a campaign, lead generation activities, and/or supporting your field selling activity.

The Heart of Business Success- 

Prospects and customers. 

As the sales trickle in, a customer-centric marketing strategy outline should be on your whiteboard, or at the minimum, in your head. If the customer-centric marketing strategy eludes you, here’s a smart start. 

For a new, or to reorganize a small business, a customer- centric marketing strategy means you have a goal to fulfill all the needs and wants each customer expects, with a passion to succeed, provide an extra step of service, and do it all with a smile. 

Stop and think for a bit about the block quote above. Then place a customer in your shoes. How would you react?

How do you decide to purchase a product or service comparable in pricing and some resemblance of similarity? Was it price sensitive? Did it come in assorted colors? How was the service? After your purchase, what did you think about the customer service?  

Another way to look at customer-centric marketing is-everything marketing starts and ends with your customer… cater to them, listen to them, and react to them. The results are amazing.  

When you email  a purchaser, ask them what they  think about your service or product. Their  answers will probably show you are already doing customer-centric marketing. The best marketing strategy that pinpoints the many reasons to keep and gain new customers.  

Summary 

However, many people, who work in a small business management capacity, who read the preceding sentence will comment, “I know my customers and know what they want. I need more customers because I want to grow.” 

 Do they? Do you? 

Your time is better suited to listen to, talk to, and better understand your customers. This can increase your marketing results, customer acquisition and customer retention. 

Here are 17 short sentences that can help you learn more about customers. Plus, there is no rule saying you will not be able to use it with prospects. 

 

1. Keep it simple. 

2. Use automation such as a CRM.  

3. Learn and use analytics every single day. 

 

4. Halloween is every day. Customers get treats and offers to build on their relationships. 

 

5. Customer-centric marketing strategies remind us to learn more about customers.  

6. Prospects are potential customers which require  stronger messages of attention. 

 

7. Develop customer profiles pays you repeatedly.

 

8. Think of direct and customer-centric promotional  strategies as a well-oiled machine. 

 

9. Your response rate will hit double digits. 

10. Have you heard the phrase “Direct-to-Customers Marketing?”  Remember you heard it here first. 

 

11. Do you follow a customer’s journey? Make sure it’s  connected to your data and analytics. 

 

12. Thinking creatively can help you get more customer information. 

 

13. Direct-2-customers  marketing  can increase the likelihood of a two-way communication with each customer. 

 

14. Increasing customer conversations (your customer service) can increase data collecting  for additional personalization. 

 

15. Better customer data leads to future relevant communication. 

 

16. Customer acquisition is easier when you “buy in to a long tail.” 

 

17. Create a great opening line for networking and your direct marketing toolset to increase customer connections. 

 

   Please share with others – except your competition!

   Sharing time with you is genuinely appreciated. Please join our Direct2Customers Marketing Community today!

  Learning and doing, marketing, and selling ideas, is what you’ll find at your Direct2Customer Community. 

  It’s what I do. It’s what I love to do. 

  Thanks again for reading. Questions?  Mdoc@direct2customers.com or 800-251-3608 

         

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