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Casual Articles - Fans, Not Customers
Most companies have a set method for providing feedback to their employees. This usually comes in the form of a formal review process maybe twice a year, or whenever they change roles. However, it doesn't help you very much if somebody tells you what you need to improve after you are done with your role (and have no chance to correct it) or after the raises and promotions have been decided for the year. You need to be proactive in asking for feedback from your supervisors, or even the team you manage, so you can make that formal review a good one.This can be a very intimidating task for a lot of people. It's never easy hearing criticism, and this is what many people fear. However, the only way to improve yourself and subsequently your career advancement is to get this kind of feedback and improve upon it. Let's break this down into two parts: getting feedback from your supervisor and getting feedback from your team.Supervisor FeedbackGetting feedback from your supervisor: Daunti
FAN CLUB RULE #3: Fans will go to the ends of the earth for you.
With Or Without You
I first heard the song “Vertigo” by U2 while driving to a speech one morning. After the song was over, the DJ said, “And that’s the new hit single from U2! Their new album just hit stores today. It’s called...”
And that’s all I needed to know.
I immediately exited off the highway and drove right over to my local record store. Within 5 minutes I had their new album in my CD player. I listened to it 7 times that day. Then I called every other U2 fan I knew and told them to go buy it. Then I burned copies for my friends. Then I listened to it three more times the next day. Then I spent $172 dollars to see them in concert when they came through town 9 months later.
Because when it comes to U2, nothing else matters. I just love them THAT much. I’m such a die hard fan that I don’t care what the critics say about the new album; I don’t care how much the ticket costs; I don’t care what else I have to do that day. I need my U2. And that’s that.
Would your customers do that for you?
FAN CLUB RULE #4: Fans don’t need to be sold.
Fans, Not Customers
The business world is obsessed with the word “customer.” In fact, if you type in the word “customer” on Amazon, 174,906 books come up. And if you type in the word “fan,” 5,418 books come up.
My opinion? Customers, schmustomers. You need fans.
Does your website increase confusion or does it reduce confusion.Remember confused people do not buy; they go looking for more information.Your job is to give them that information, or at least enough information to give them the confidence to buy your product. You must convince your customers that your product will solve their problem.You do this by providing factual, focused web content and web copy. What’s the difference between web content and web copy?Web copy is the sales pitch, while web content educates or entertains your customer. That doesn’t mean that your web copy can’t or shouldn’t educate your customer, just that web content shouldn’t be a pure sales pitch.A great example of this is a white paper. A white paper provides your customers with the information to understand what is needed.They need to understand how your product benefits them, how it solves their problem. Your white paper may even identify a problem they didn’t know existed.If your
And each day when I look at those faded pieces of cardstock, I don’t just think about some of the greatest memories of my life.
I think about being a fan.
A fan who would stop at nothing to watch his favorite bands play live - even if he’d already seen them 8 times before; even if he had to drive three hours each way; even if he had to skip school to wait in line to get tickets; and even if it meant staying out all night and failing his marketing exam the next morning.
Because that’s what fans do.
But does the term “fan” ONLY refer to a music lover, sports enthusiast or dedicated follower of a performing art? What about business?
Let’s ask Webster. It defines a fan as an “enthusiastic devotee or an ardent admirer or enthusiast.” They also have related words for fan like: addict, aficionado, buff, bug, devotee, enthusiast, fanatic, fancier, fiend, freak, lover, maniac, nut, groupie; admirer, collector, connoisseur, dilettante; authority, expert; cultist, disciple, follower, votary; backer, patron, promoter, supporter; partisan, zealot; booster, rooter and well-wisher.
Aha! Interesting. So it isn’t just painted faces and screaming audience members; it’s simply someone who “loves your stuff.” For example, maybe someone’s been to your website before. Bought your products before. Worked with your people before. Stayed at your hotel before.
Then one day they come to you and say, “You know, I just LOVE your stuff.”
If you ever hear those beautiful words come out of your customer’s mouth, congratulations - you have a fan. And fans are the most important people in your business.
Fans are better than customers because they’re devoted to you and your company. They stick with you and come back for more. And most importantly, they tell all their friends to do the same.
So the question is: how can companies create and keep their fans?
Well, since the term “fan” is most often associated with music, let’s look at four great musical performers and bands – and see what they do.
Riding with the King
B.B. King has been playing the blues since he was 18 years old. Recently, I saw The King in concert on his 80th Birthday Tour. Wow! That means he’s been creating and keeping fans for over 62 years.
After the show, I figured out why he's known as “The King of the Blues.” It's not because he's a precise, gifted guitar player. It’s not because he sings with more soul than a church choir. It’s because he’s a storyteller. And his stories throughout the concert captivated 5000 screaming fans who will never forget "riding with the king."
And why? Because it wasn’t a concert – it was an experience. It was unlike any of the other 96 other concerts I’d ever seen. That’s why I’ll go see B.B. next time he comes through town. That’s why I’ll buy his next album. And that why I’m using him as an example in this article that I’ll email to all of my clients and friends.
FAN CLUB RULE #1: Fans crave an experience.
The Best of What’s Around
I’ve been a hard core Dave Matthews Band fan since 1994 when his debut album changed the face of “jam rock” forever. And by hard core I mean: I’ve seen him in concert I-can’t-remember-how-many times; I can play every song he’s ever written on the guitar; I’ve bought every album, every DVD, every t-shirt; even joined his fan club online so I can get advanced notice (and priority seating) for upcoming shows!
But then, in February of 2001, something happened. Something that almost killed me. DMB released their 7th album, Everyday.
And I hated it.
I listened to the CD twice on the day I bought - and never listened to it again. The reviews were terrible. And all of my fan-friends agreed that it was the band’s worst album to date. I was so disappointed, I felt sick. After all, this was my favorite band in the world and they’d let me down!
Were they about to lose me as a fan?
No way.
Because I knew that someday, they’d win me back. Even the great DMB was capable of making a mistake! And sure enough, one year later, they released their 8th album, Busted Stuff. And it was unbelievable. I listened to it over and over again. Then I paid $72 to see them in concert for the umpteenth time.
And why? One word: loyalty.
FAN CLUB RULE #2: Fans will stick with you, even when you make a mistake.
Gimme Shelter
VH1 once did a countdown of “The Greatest Rock and Roll Bands of All Time.” Their number one pick: The Rolling Stones. And I remember watching the program with my dad (another dedicated fan) who said, “I can’t believe they beat out the Beatles!”
“Yeah, but the Beatles’ last concert was in 1966,” I said. “The Stones are in their 60’s are they’re still rockin!”
That why, three weeks later, I skipped school to stand in line outside of a record store for three hours freezing my butt off with $700 worth of my friends’ ticket money in my pocket.
Because it was the Stones, man. THE STONES!
The show was unparalleled to anything we’d ever seen before – or would ever see in the future. My friends thanked me non-stop for three weeks. And I knew that everything I’d gone through was worth it.
Because that’s what fans do.
Come on, you do it too. How many times have you driven that extra few miles just to eat at the restaurant you love so much? How many times have you gone to store after store, looking to re-buy that ONE item you can’t live with out?
Just imagine if your customers did that for YOU.
FAN CLUB RULE #3: Fans will go to the ends of the earth for you.
With Or Without You
I first heard the song “Vertigo” by U2 while driving to a speech one morning. After the song was over, the DJ said, “And that’s the new hit single from U2! Their new album just hit stores today. It’s called...”
And that’s all I needed to know.
I immediately exited off the highway and drove right over to my local record store. Within 5 minutes I had their new album in my CD player. I listened to it 7 times that day. Then I called every other U2 fan I knew and told them to go buy it. Then I burned copies for my friends. Then I listened to it three more times the next day. Then I spent $172 dollars to see them in concert when they came through town 9 months later.
Because when it comes to U2, nothing else matters. I just love them THAT much. I’m such a die hard fan that I don’t care what the critics say about the new album; I don’t care how much the ticket costs; I don’t care what else I have to do that day. I need my U2. And that’s that.
Would your customers do that for you?
FAN CLUB RULE #4: Fans don’t need to be sold.
Fans, Not Customers
The business world is obsessed with the word “customer.” In fact, if you type in the word “customer” on Amazon, 174,906 books come up. And if you type in the word “fan,” 5,418 books come up.
My opinion? Customers, schmustomers. You need fans.
Have you ever been in a situation where you ran out of business cards to give out, or simply forgot to bring it along? In these types of situations you might feel slightly foolish or incompetent when a new contact hands over their business card. You may also be looking for a way to maintain posture.You can save the situation by sending the contact a virtual business card once you get back to your office or home. You could, if you have a blackberry or an email enabled cell phone, instantly send an already programmed email message to their inbox in seconds while you're still at the event. Virtual business cards are quickly gaining popularity amongst business owners and professionals.Virtual business cards are simply business cards in a digital format.Virtual business cards are impressive and makes it easier for your prospects to remember you. A prospect is more likely to contact you if you have a distinguishing factor. Images sell and if you use a virtual business card with your picture on it, Your prospect o
Aha! Interesting. So it isn’t just painted faces and screaming audience members; it’s simply someone who “loves your stuff.” For example, maybe someone’s been to your website before. Bought your products before. Worked with your people before. Stayed at your hotel before.
Then one day they come to you and say, “You know, I just LOVE your stuff.”
If you ever hear those beautiful words come out of your customer’s mouth, congratulations - you have a fan. And fans are the most important people in your business.
Fans are better than customers because they’re devoted to you and your company. They stick with you and come back for more. And most importantly, they tell all their friends to do the same.
So the question is: how can companies create and keep their fans?
Well, since the term “fan” is most often associated with music, let’s look at four great musical performers and bands – and see what they do.
Riding with the King
B.B. King has been playing the blues since he was 18 years old. Recently, I saw The King in concert on his 80th Birthday Tour. Wow! That means he’s been creating and keeping fans for over 62 years.
After the show, I figured out why he's known as “The King of the Blues.” It's not because he's a precise, gifted guitar player. It’s not because he sings with more soul than a church choir. It’s because he’s a storyteller. And his stories throughout the concert captivated 5000 screaming fans who will never forget "riding with the king."
And why? Because it wasn’t a concert – it was an experience. It was unlike any of the other 96 other concerts I’d ever seen. That’s why I’ll go see B.B. next time he comes through town. That’s why I’ll buy his next album. And that why I’m using him as an example in this article that I’ll email to all of my clients and friends.
FAN CLUB RULE #1: Fans crave an experience.
The Best of What’s Around
I’ve been a hard core Dave Matthews Band fan since 1994 when his debut album changed the face of “jam rock” forever. And by hard core I mean: I’ve seen him in concert I-can’t-remember-how-many times; I can play every song he’s ever written on the guitar; I’ve bought every album, every DVD, every t-shirt; even joined his fan club online so I can get advanced notice (and priority seating) for upcoming shows!
But then, in February of 2001, something happened. Something that almost killed me. DMB released their 7th album, Everyday.
And I hated it.
I listened to the CD twice on the day I bought - and never listened to it again. The reviews were terrible. And all of my fan-friends agreed that it was the band’s worst album to date. I was so disappointed, I felt sick. After all, this was my favorite band in the world and they’d let me down!
Were they about to lose me as a fan?
No way.
Because I knew that someday, they’d win me back. Even the great DMB was capable of making a mistake! And sure enough, one year later, they released their 8th album, Busted Stuff. And it was unbelievable. I listened to it over and over again. Then I paid $72 to see them in concert for the umpteenth time.
And why? One word: loyalty.
FAN CLUB RULE #2: Fans will stick with you, even when you make a mistake.
Gimme Shelter
VH1 once did a countdown of “The Greatest Rock and Roll Bands of All Time.” Their number one pick: The Rolling Stones. And I remember watching the program with my dad (another dedicated fan) who said, “I can’t believe they beat out the Beatles!”
“Yeah, but the Beatles’ last concert was in 1966,” I said. “The Stones are in their 60’s are they’re still rockin!”
That why, three weeks later, I skipped school to stand in line outside of a record store for three hours freezing my butt off with $700 worth of my friends’ ticket money in my pocket.
Because it was the Stones, man. THE STONES!
The show was unparalleled to anything we’d ever seen before – or would ever see in the future. My friends thanked me non-stop for three weeks. And I knew that everything I’d gone through was worth it.
Because that’s what fans do.
Come on, you do it too. How many times have you driven that extra few miles just to eat at the restaurant you love so much? How many times have you gone to store after store, looking to re-buy that ONE item you can’t live with out?
Just imagine if your customers did that for YOU.
FAN CLUB RULE #3: Fans will go to the ends of the earth for you.
With Or Without You
I first heard the song “Vertigo” by U2 while driving to a speech one morning. After the song was over, the DJ said, “And that’s the new hit single from U2! Their new album just hit stores today. It’s called...”
And that’s all I needed to know.
I immediately exited off the highway and drove right over to my local record store. Within 5 minutes I had their new album in my CD player. I listened to it 7 times that day. Then I called every other U2 fan I knew and told them to go buy it. Then I burned copies for my friends. Then I listened to it three more times the next day. Then I spent $172 dollars to see them in concert when they came through town 9 months later.
Because when it comes to U2, nothing else matters. I just love them THAT much. I’m such a die hard fan that I don’t care what the critics say about the new album; I don’t care how much the ticket costs; I don’t care what else I have to do that day. I need my U2. And that’s that.
Would your customers do that for you?
FAN CLUB RULE #4: Fans don’t need to be sold.
Fans, Not Customers
The business world is obsessed with the word “customer.” In fact, if you type in the word “customer” on Amazon, 174,906 books come up. And if you type in the word “fan,” 5,418 books come up.
My opinion? Customers, schmustomers. You need fans.
The short and easy answer is “YES”. In fact anyone who has graduated from high school and has a good grasp of their own language can make a comfortable living as a freelance trainer in Germany. However, a little prep work is required in order to avert disaster. Over the years I’ve seen so many people come full of enthusiasm only to leave in tears a few short months later. I can’t guarantee you success but if you follow the 5 guidelines below then your adjustment will be a lot easier.1. Learn some basic German.You don’t have to be a fluent speaker but a few months before your trip you should buy a basic phrase book. “Where is the train station?” “How much is this?” etc. Make sure it has a phonetic pronunciation guide. It doesn’t matter if your German is terrible at the start, as long as you make the effort to speak the language then most of the natives will try their best to help you. DO NOT blurt out “Hey dude, where can a guy get himself a mickey dees and a cold bottle of suds in this town?” Although a lot
And why? Because it wasn’t a concert – it was an experience. It was unlike any of the other 96 other concerts I’d ever seen. That’s why I’ll go see B.B. next time he comes through town. That’s why I’ll buy his next album. And that why I’m using him as an example in this article that I’ll email to all of my clients and friends.
FAN CLUB RULE #1: Fans crave an experience.
The Best of What’s Around
I’ve been a hard core Dave Matthews Band fan since 1994 when his debut album changed the face of “jam rock” forever. And by hard core I mean: I’ve seen him in concert I-can’t-remember-how-many times; I can play every song he’s ever written on the guitar; I’ve bought every album, every DVD, every t-shirt; even joined his fan club online so I can get advanced notice (and priority seating) for upcoming shows!
But then, in February of 2001, something happened. Something that almost killed me. DMB released their 7th album, Everyday.
And I hated it.
I listened to the CD twice on the day I bought - and never listened to it again. The reviews were terrible. And all of my fan-friends agreed that it was the band’s worst album to date. I was so disappointed, I felt sick. After all, this was my favorite band in the world and they’d let me down!
Were they about to lose me as a fan?
No way.
Because I knew that someday, they’d win me back. Even the great DMB was capable of making a mistake! And sure enough, one year later, they released their 8th album, Busted Stuff. And it was unbelievable. I listened to it over and over again. Then I paid $72 to see them in concert for the umpteenth time.
And why? One word: loyalty.
FAN CLUB RULE #2: Fans will stick with you, even when you make a mistake.
Gimme Shelter
VH1 once did a countdown of “The Greatest Rock and Roll Bands of All Time.” Their number one pick: The Rolling Stones. And I remember watching the program with my dad (another dedicated fan) who said, “I can’t believe they beat out the Beatles!”
“Yeah, but the Beatles’ last concert was in 1966,” I said. “The Stones are in their 60’s are they’re still rockin!”
That why, three weeks later, I skipped school to stand in line outside of a record store for three hours freezing my butt off with $700 worth of my friends’ ticket money in my pocket.
Because it was the Stones, man. THE STONES!
The show was unparalleled to anything we’d ever seen before – or would ever see in the future. My friends thanked me non-stop for three weeks. And I knew that everything I’d gone through was worth it.
Because that’s what fans do.
Come on, you do it too. How many times have you driven that extra few miles just to eat at the restaurant you love so much? How many times have you gone to store after store, looking to re-buy that ONE item you can’t live with out?
Just imagine if your customers did that for YOU.
FAN CLUB RULE #3: Fans will go to the ends of the earth for you.
With Or Without You
I first heard the song “Vertigo” by U2 while driving to a speech one morning. After the song was over, the DJ said, “And that’s the new hit single from U2! Their new album just hit stores today. It’s called...”
And that’s all I needed to know.
I immediately exited off the highway and drove right over to my local record store. Within 5 minutes I had their new album in my CD player. I listened to it 7 times that day. Then I called every other U2 fan I knew and told them to go buy it. Then I burned copies for my friends. Then I listened to it three more times the next day. Then I spent $172 dollars to see them in concert when they came through town 9 months later.
Because when it comes to U2, nothing else matters. I just love them THAT much. I’m such a die hard fan that I don’t care what the critics say about the new album; I don’t care how much the ticket costs; I don’t care what else I have to do that day. I need my U2. And that’s that.
Would your customers do that for you?
FAN CLUB RULE #4: Fans don’t need to be sold.
Fans, Not Customers
The business world is obsessed with the word “customer.” In fact, if you type in the word “customer” on Amazon, 174,906 books come up. And if you type in the word “fan,” 5,418 books come up.
My opinion? Customers, schmustomers. You need fans.
Digital signage is new and experimental way to reach people when they are outside of their homes. Usually, this kind of advertisement consists of colorful banners, videos with or without audio and simple text messages that are displayed on electronic screens, displaying different advertisements at different times toward target audiences. Although Digital signage does initially cost more than the traditional television, radio, or old fashioned word of mouth advertising, it has been proven to have a greater return on the original investment. A firm could also choose to use more Dynamic digital signage which includes high definition resolution, 3D environments, and impressive audio tools to heighten the quality of ads. These signs are more effective because they are flashy and can grab people’s attention easily from across a crowded mall.Many companies are now trying to develop digital signage software to keep up with the changing advertising world. The goal is to create cutting edge software that will attract broader au
And why? One word: loyalty.
FAN CLUB RULE #2: Fans will stick with you, even when you make a mistake.
Gimme Shelter
VH1 once did a countdown of “The Greatest Rock and Roll Bands of All Time.” Their number one pick: The Rolling Stones. And I remember watching the program with my dad (another dedicated fan) who said, “I can’t believe they beat out the Beatles!”
“Yeah, but the Beatles’ last concert was in 1966,” I said. “The Stones are in their 60’s are they’re still rockin!”
That why, three weeks later, I skipped school to stand in line outside of a record store for three hours freezing my butt off with $700 worth of my friends’ ticket money in my pocket.
Because it was the Stones, man. THE STONES!
The show was unparalleled to anything we’d ever seen before – or would ever see in the future. My friends thanked me non-stop for three weeks. And I knew that everything I’d gone through was worth it.
Because that’s what fans do.
Come on, you do it too. How many times have you driven that extra few miles just to eat at the restaurant you love so much? How many times have you gone to store after store, looking to re-buy that ONE item you can’t live with out?
Just imagine if your customers did that for YOU.
FAN CLUB RULE #3: Fans will go to the ends of the earth for you.
With Or Without You
I first heard the song “Vertigo” by U2 while driving to a speech one morning. After the song was over, the DJ said, “And that’s the new hit single from U2! Their new album just hit stores today. It’s called...”
And that’s all I needed to know.
I immediately exited off the highway and drove right over to my local record store. Within 5 minutes I had their new album in my CD player. I listened to it 7 times that day. Then I called every other U2 fan I knew and told them to go buy it. Then I burned copies for my friends. Then I listened to it three more times the next day. Then I spent $172 dollars to see them in concert when they came through town 9 months later.
Because when it comes to U2, nothing else matters. I just love them THAT much. I’m such a die hard fan that I don’t care what the critics say about the new album; I don’t care how much the ticket costs; I don’t care what else I have to do that day. I need my U2. And that’s that.
Would your customers do that for you?
FAN CLUB RULE #4: Fans don’t need to be sold.
Fans, Not Customers
The business world is obsessed with the word “customer.” In fact, if you type in the word “customer” on Amazon, 174,906 books come up. And if you type in the word “fan,” 5,418 books come up.
My opinion? Customers, schmustomers. You need fans.
There are many ways to show your customers that you care about them. Let me share one that tells your customers that YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEM. Remember, my friend, that in business it is sometimes the little things that begin to tear down the company that we have worked so hard to build. One of those little things is a real problem to me. I see it in almost every company and at almost every level. It is my belief that we do not realize the impact it has on people. In some small way it affects our "believability." What is it? It is the thing we can not do without. It's the telephone.Whether you like it or not we live in the age of voice mail. There are some who wish they could return to the good old days and talk to a real live person again. There are others who really do not care one way or another. But... now to my soapbox!If you are going to use voice mail, please return your calls and do so in a timely manner. I fear too many of us have begun using voice mail as our personal gatekeeper. "I do
FAN CLUB RULE #3: Fans will go to the ends of the earth for you.
With Or Without You
I first heard the song “Vertigo” by U2 while driving to a speech one morning. After the song was over, the DJ said, “And that’s the new hit single from U2! Their new album just hit stores today. It’s called...”
And that’s all I needed to know.
I immediately exited off the highway and drove right over to my local record store. Within 5 minutes I had their new album in my CD player. I listened to it 7 times that day. Then I called every other U2 fan I knew and told them to go buy it. Then I burned copies for my friends. Then I listened to it three more times the next day. Then I spent $172 dollars to see them in concert when they came through town 9 months later.
Because when it comes to U2, nothing else matters. I just love them THAT much. I’m such a die hard fan that I don’t care what the critics say about the new album; I don’t care how much the ticket costs; I don’t care what else I have to do that day. I need my U2. And that’s that.
Would your customers do that for you?
FAN CLUB RULE #4: Fans don’t need to be sold.
Fans, Not Customers
The business world is obsessed with the word “customer.” In fact, if you type in the word “customer” on Amazon, 174,906 books come up. And if you type in the word “fan,” 5,418 books come up.
My opinion? Customers, schmustomers. You need fans. Fans are people who will do your marketing for you, encourage and support everything you do, and most importantly, tell all their friends to become fans of yours too.
So, if you want to create and keep those fans, remember these four things:
Fans crave an experience. Fans will stick with you, even when you make a mistake. Fans will go to the ends of the earth for you. Fans don’t need to be sold.
That reminds me: I was recently contacted by the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) to give the keynote address at their 2006 convention. Right before signing the contract, I asked my newly acquired client an important question, “Why me?”
And do you know what he said?
“I love your stuff.”
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