I saw something pretty incredible in a small restaurant. They created a very simple, free, and extraordinarily effective system which allowed their customers to brag on them.
While customers were waiting to order or waiting for food, they were standing right in front of the wall leading to the register. There was a stack of small, square white papers inviting everyone to write a “review” and put the paper into a fish bowl. The staff would look at each review. If the review made the cut, it was taped on their “Wall of Fame.”
This is a great example of allowing your customers to brag on your business. No matter what type of business you have, you need to give your customers a way to voice their opinions about your brand. Find a way to get these positive reviews out to your potential clients. This will not only encourage first-time customers to trust you, but it will make your best customers even more attached to your brand. They will be more likely to become vocal to their connections about your business.
One note that I found particularly awesome was the one which read, “Excellent Food & Service” signed, “The Mail Lady.” It doesn’t get much better than that! They had literally dozens of these taped up to this wall. Without even thinking about it, I found myself as a first-time customer reading about 15 or 20 of them while I waited for my food. This made the time go by much quicker for me caused me to decide to take a picture of this awesome place! The food was great to be sure, but this wall is what really set their brand apart from the competition and gave their customers the opportunity to publicly identify with their business.
I hope this short post will inspire you to give your customers the opportunity to brag on your business! Think about how you could give your best customers a way to recommend your brand. Then share these recommendations with potential clients.
I would like to say a great big thank you to Mr. Greek Restaurant in Merrillville, IN. If you are ever out that way, stop in for some great food and leave a recommendation for their wall of fame!
James Shepherd
