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Do Your Best to Know Who Your Customers Are

Dave Thomas

June 16, 2017

As you sit back and look at your small business, how much time and effort do you take to know your customers?

Some small business owners take the time to get to know and understand as many customers as possible.

Others, meantime, look at them as only a number. That is a number that translates into money when the cash register rings.

To be as well-rounded an owner as you can, spend time and energy finding out who your regular customers are.

Sure, you’re not likely going to invest the time to get to know the occasional customer. But, if you think you can turn them into a regular customer, make that time and effort.

That said your regular customers and their buying habits should be of interest to you.

Where to Start with Customer Information?

To have as much worthwhile information as possible, keep the following in mind:

1. Online surveys

Millions of consumers spend ample time on the Internet these days. As such, it only makes sense to offer them online surveys.

With such surveys, you stand a much better chance of getting to know what makes them tick.

Among the areas of interest for you:

· What their spending habits are in approximate monthly spending.

· What their shopping habits are in where and how they like to shop.

· What their time spent is on the Internet.

· What their family life is like. Are they single, parents, senior citizens?

The more you know about your customers, the better prepared you are to serve them.

2. Social media reviews

Given there are millions of people worldwide on social media at any time of the day, shouldn’t you be there too?

With social media, you can oftentimes learn some of the scuttlebutt about customers.

Often, consumers are more free-flowing in talking about their lives on social sites. They may also post images or videos that give you more of a look into their world.

Now, whether they have a bit of a sordid past or not is not going to be of interest to you.

But, if you sell goods and services that may surface in any potential crimes, know as much as you can.

As an example, a small business gun store owner wants to know who each customer it is that he or she serves. In doing a criminal records search, you can have that information at your fingertips.

By being active on social media, you can see what consumers and businesses are saying about you.

The more online chatter you hear; the more of it you can digest, seeing what is worthwhile and what isn’t.

3. Forecasting trends

While you do not have a crystal ball, you should have an idea of where your particular industry is trending.

With that example of a small business gun store, an uptick in crime oftentimes leads to more sales.

Keep your eyes and ears open not only to what is trending, but what consumers are doing about it.

If there appears to be a wave of new customers coming your way, will you be ready for them?

As a small business operator, how are you getting to know your customers?

As important, how are you making it so you stand out to them?

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