The Greatest Potential For Small Business Growth (Is right Under Your Nose)

What if I revealed that your greatest potential for business growth and success lies right within your grasp... yet you might not be fully harnessing it?

I'm talking about your best CUSTOMERS – the lifeblood of any small business. It's remarkable how many business owners underestimate the immense power of customer insights.

Specifically, your top-tier customers hold the key to attracting more clients just like them! Their stories and experiences serve as compelling testimonials that can draw in additional ideal and profitable clients.

Now, picture having a strong and distinctive brand message crafted by the very people who believe in your brand, consistently purchase your products, and advocate for your services – your ideal customers.

Envision the profound impact such a brand message could have on propelling your business towards exponential growth. Does any of this resonate as the catalyst your business yearns for? If it does, allow me to provide you with the steps required to successfully do this.

Define and Choose Your Ideal Client

The first part of any effective marketing plan is to really identify who and what makes an ideal client for your business. A lot of confusion comes into play on this topic because owners and CEOs of small businesses think target market and ideal client are the same. They are not. Ideal clients are a market segment of your target market. In fact, you can’t pass go or effectively implement marketing tactics until you really nail this idea of an ideal client. Read more here on How to Discover Who and What Makes an Ideal Client for Your Business

Questions to Ask Your Ideal Client

Customer interviews are one of the greatest listening tools on the planet. Your customers are telling you about what’s truly important, they’re telling about what they like about your products and dislike about the competition, they’re telling you what they wish someone would make — and now you can hear it.

What kind of questions should you ask customers? There’s no limit — it can be any that would help you get better and plug sales and marketing gaps. Get started with these 5 questions:

1. Why did you decide to hire us or buy from us initially?
2. What’s the one thing we should never stop doing?
3.  What’s one thing we could do to create a better experience for you?
4. If you were to refer us what would you say?
5. What would you Google to find a service/product like ours?

Analyze Online Reviews To Identify Common Themes

Reviews are like a gold mine when it comes to learning what customers really think about your business. When people take the time to leave reviews on Google, they're sharing their genuine thoughts and experiences with the world.

The beauty of it all is that you can find some real gems in the actual words customers use in their reviews. They are not holding back—they're telling it like it is. And that's where the gold lies! These reviews provide invaluable insights into the value customers perceive in your offerings.

When you read through those reviews, pay attention to the specific language customers use to describe the experience they received from your products or services.

• "I had a plumbing emergency and called XYZ Plumbing. They came to my rescue within 30 minutes and fixed the issue swiftly. Their prompt response saved me from a major disaster. Highly recommended!"
• "I recently hired ABC Landscaping for a backyard makeover, and I'm blown away by the results! They transformed my dull yard into a vibrant oasis with their creativity and attention to detail. The team went above and beyond to exceed my expectations."
• "I rely on XYZ Dry Cleaners for all my clothing needs. Their pickup and delivery service is a game-changer! It saves me so much time and effort. Plus, their attention to garment care is unparalleled."

By understanding the value that customers see in what you offer, you can leverage this knowledge to enhance your marketing strategy. You can highlight those specific benefits and value propositions in your messaging and promotions. It allows you to showcase what sets you apart from the competition and resonates with potential customers.

Home Service Contractor Marketing Message Example

Let’s say you own a tree service business. Your potential customers will automatically assume that you know how to take down trees. But that doesn’t really address the problem the potential customer has.

For most homeowners, their biggest problem associated with a home service contractor is about something beyond the basic service the business provides. Homeowners hate having to wait around for their service window. When they hire someone to handle their tree removal, the team leaves tread or wheel marks and stump grindings in the yard.

Professional Service Marketing Message Example

Let’s say you’re a managing partner of a law firm. Your potential clients will automatically assume that you know how to provide legal advice and navigate legal requirements. But that doesn’t really address the problem a potential client has.

For most clients, their biggest problem associated with an attorney is about something beyond the legal service they provide. Clients hate when attorneys do not return phone calls or emails in a timely manner. When attorneys make them feel bad about asking questions or not explaining things in layman’s terms. These are the real problems your clients have.

So your marketing message is not, “We know how to practice business law” or ” We have the knowledge and experience to help” – of course, you do! Instead, it’s “We return your calls, every time.” Or, “We welcome all questions and always make legal terminology easy to understand.”

For these two businesses and so many others that I’ve worked with over the years, reviews, testimonials, case studies, blurbs, or positive unsolicited feedback is a strategic marketing asset to help attract even more ideal clients as much as a vehicle for service verification.

Seize this opportunity to supercharge your business with the influential voice of your customers.

Contact your marketing consultant at Indispensable Marketing

If you’re a small service based business that needs help with developing a powerful marketing message and showing up on the first page of search results on Google, Bing or Yahoo at Indispensable Marketing we can help. We offer marketing strategy consulting, marketing audits, monthly marketing packages, consultations, exploratory calls or monthly local SEO services. Contact us for more information.