Not earning the income or getting the sales you want?

Then let's get S.M.A.R.T. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely with our objectives.

Maybe it's been a while since you thought about who your customers are and what they want. Dare to be different and be in business FOR your customers.

Here are 9 questions to ask yourself.

1. WHO IS YOUR TYPICAL CUSTOMER?

You know who your ideal customer is. Someone who buys or subscribes and never complains, plus refer their friends. A few more of those would be nice.

Now let's be realistic. Who is the person who needs your product or service now and in the future, the customer who will come back again and again. Is there someone specific you can think of?

If you can't think of a specific individual, then imagine what this typical customer is like. Male or female. How old? Occupation? Earnings? etc.

2. WHAT DOES THIS CUSTOMER EXPECT FROM YOU?

What will make this person happy, willing to come back more and more and eager to recommend you to their friends and colleagues?

You've no doubt had occasions when someone solved a serious problem for you. Your car was acting up (darn it) and you thought you might have to junk it until you found the mechanic who came up with an inexpensive solution that worked.

Enough about me though.....:-)

What challenges does your typical customer face? How can you find solutions that will help solve whatever problems this person has?

Give them an offer they can't refuse!!

3. WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION DOES YOUR CUSTOMER NEED?

Sometimes just a sign out front or on your vehicle is enough. This is certainly the case if you have something that most people need and if there's little or no competition. The only shoe repairman in town only needs to put up a sign and be where people can find him.

If you have some competition, and most business people do, you probably need flyers and brochures and perhaps advertising to let people know you exist and to explain what you can do for them.

Give them the ingredients to achievable success!!

4. HOW MANY TIMES MUST YOUR CUSTOMER BE EXPOSED TO YOUR INFORMATION?

You may assume that once is enough. That rarely is the case. You've probably seen a multi-million dollar television commercial, though it was cute and didn't even notice what the product was until the third or fouth time you saw it!

The typical customer is just like that. While the ideal customer only hears the message once and acts on it, the typical customer has to hear something again and again before it begins to register.

Give them a timely offer THEY CAN'T BEAT anywhere on or offline!!

5. WHERE DOES YOUR CUSTOMER GO FOR INFORMATION?

Yellow pages? Google search? Local paper or the bulletin board at the nearby coffee shop? Or would this person be more responsive to seeing you in person at a local civic or charitable meeting?

You may need to use different means to reach your customers. Of course, one or two will be the MOST effective. Try what you think will work first, then try other means as well until you start getting measurable results.

Also, ask yourself where does your customer go to relax? This may be the best place for you to be too!

Map out a success route for them!

6. WHAT MESSAGE WOULD MAKE THIS CUSTOMER ACT?

Will this customer do business with you once you make it apparent that you're honest and trustworthy? Does this person want to see examples of what you've done?

If there's a way of showing these, do it. Does he or she want to hear what other people have to say about you? Testimonials from satisfied customers on your wall or webpage or quotes from them in your ads may make a difference.

Show them your success and what others succeeding say about your offer!

7. WHAT SORT OF RELATIONSHIP DO TYPICAL CUSTOMERS WANT WITH YOU?

Do they want to get to know you personally or would they rather you be matter-of-fact and business-like? Do they want you to contact them when you have something new, or would they prefer to call you.

Be sensitive not just to the typical customer, be all inclusive. If you're trying too hard, you can drive some people away.

Take out the guesswork-In fact take out all the work for them. Make it simple to succeed by a relationship with you.

8. WHAT SORT OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU WANT WITH TYPICAL CUSTOMERS?

If you spend all your time chatting with customers as they become friends, your sales may drop off. You can be friendly while letting people know that you take your work seriously too. Take out the risk entirely-Make it 100% guaranteed!

9. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR TYPICAL CUSTOMER AS TIME GOES ON?

Will people who buy from you want to get calls, letters, postcards or e-mail messages from you? Ask them, make a note of what they want, then do what they say.

Once again, be S-pecific, M-easurable, A-chievable, R-ealistic, T-imely. Get SMART about your sales boosting activities.

=============================================

Copyright 2006 Kevin Lankford All Rights Reserved. Bettering Your Best, Web-Spin, Lankford Enterprise are trademarks of Kevin Lankford.

Visit us on the web: http://www.KevinLankford.ws Aol Link

Get Your Copy of His Book: Bettering YourBest:Using Your Strengths to Springboard Success at http://lulu.com/kevin2 Click Here!