Understanding your customers is one of the keys to great sales numbers. However, it’s not always easy to know how to get the insights you need. Let’s look at six of the most effective ways to learn more about consumers and what they really want.
Solicit Feedback
Customers are often glad to tell you what they are thinking, they just rarely get asked. Something as simple as a brief feedback card can provide you with information you need to get better sales. For the best results, make sure everyone gets an equal opportunity to provide feedback.
Stay in Touch
Customers should have the chance to “opt in” for occasional communications from your business. Those who do are more likely to respond if you ask for feedback online or over the telephone. Since these consumers are already interested in you, you can gauge their reactions to new products or ideas.
Learn More
Sometimes, you have to connect better with customers fast to give them what they want. By enhancing your knowledge with an online Master of Science in Applied Psychology, for example, you can better understand consumers' desires. By knowing more about the mind, you have a major advantage in your business.
Discover Consumers’ Other Interests
Customers have a full life outside their interactions with you. By understanding your ideal customer’s hobbies, interests and worries, you have a chance to connect with them on different levels. Find opportunities to make “small talk” with customers that could provide you with informative tidbits.
Join the Conversation
Services like Twitter give you a way to discover what customers are saying about you in real time. Take that opportunity and engage people politely when your brand comes up in conversation, especially if there are complaints. Going the extra mile to assist consumers will help you seem more authentic.
Learn from Mistakes
Mistakes are often the best opportunities to learn about customers. Follow up fast when you see someone is dissatisfied with your products or service. Question them to get to the root of what could be done differently. Take action right away so they will learn to trust you.
Teams dealing with sales challenges can implement any one of these techniques to get more knowledge about consumers. With vision, tenacity and a true desire to help others, you can turn that into actionable intelligence that will see your sales figures soaring.