Are you wondering how you can get more people to visit your site or buy what you are selling?
People often ask me why some people can get a lot of traffic or business while others struggle along with what seems like the scraps from the table. Why can “over night success” stories break through at the same time you might have to spend years “paying dues”?
I have been seeing a lot of people fall into a common trap. That trap is called “Entitlement”.
Starting out bloggers all the way up to the big banks and the RIAA.
I’m not saying everyone is an extreme case, but does this seem a familiar line of thinking in the people around you?
- I deserve attention.
- I/we/this is obviously awesome.
- In a fair world I would be getting rewards.
- Therefore it is their fault I am not a success.
- I am being held down.
You don’t need me to tell you that nobody is holding you down and your venture does not deserve a bailout 🙂
There is an important point here, reflect on this for a moment as it could seriously boost your progress.
We must never take our customers for granted. This might be an exaggeration but the danger is there for all of us as are the potential rewards from getting this right.
Consumers Are People
Essentially the common complaint is that prospects should read, subscribe or buy because it is “obvious” that is what they should do.
This line of thinking where your prospects are “consumers”, that they should just passively accept whatever you put out without any thought, is detrimental to both you and your victims/customers.
It comes down to one simple fact.
You have no right to their business.
Really.
Customers do not exist just so you can put food on the table. They are not an ATM to be tapped whenever funds drop low.
Customers are people. They have their own agenda.
You need to work hard to:
- Find out their needs.
- Match your resources to the right solution.
- Demonstrate how what you offer will benefit them.
Instead many people are saying:
- I am so much smarter, why are they going to that dumb guy?
- My service rocks, only the market place is too dumb to see that.
- That blogger can’t write for toffee, why does she get all that attention!?
- Our product is far superior but customers would rather spend money with that guy with the sales page. (spit).
- It’s obvious our solution is what people should be buying but they would all rather buy beer and iPods!!
It’s Not Them It’s You
People are not going to beat a path to your door just because you are awesome.
I don’t care if you have created the ultimate mouse trap. Just being better does not mean squat unless you reach people with a convincing message.
We all need to get past the idea that our customers give any thought to us at all, they do not care unless we tell them why they should be interested, show some proof, and demonstrate relevance to their lives.
Occasionally we will visit a blog or buy from a business just to help them out but normally we are looking for what we want or need, and our customers are no different.
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Bottom Line
If your entire rationale why someone should visit your blog or buy from you is that you need to pay the rent then you might need to reconsider your strategy.