Give Before You Try To Get
| Tweet |
|
You know that feeling of excitement you get when you walk into an ice cream shop and see the range of colors and flavors available? It’s almost too much to handle. You could never possibly make a decision. And then, just as you feel like you might crumble under the pressure and run out of the shop screaming for help, the helpful server asks you the question that changes everything: “Would you like to sample some of the flavors?”
Well, it’s as if your dilemma has been turned 180 degrees around and you’re being coaxed back into your comfort zone. Why? Because your fear of making the wrong choice has been allayed, the server is no longer the devil in disguise ready to poison you with your poorly made ice cream choice.
The point here is that, we all lower our guards a little more when we get something for nothing. What the psychologists call the art of reciprocity, where we all feel a little more indebted after receiving something for nothing.
Here’s a thought for bar and restaurant owners: Give it away. Yes, give it all away! Not all the time, but when it matters, give it away.
Three major casual-dining chains in the US—Applebee’s, McCormick & Schmick’s and Golden Corral— offered free food to veterans and, in most cases, active-duty military personnel in observance of Veterans Day. How many of those will be converted into long term customers? My bet is a good percentage.
The next time you see someone at the bar trying to make their mind up, ask them if they’d like to try a sample free of charge. The next time someone at the table is looking at the menu and can’t decide between two items, where possible, offer them a sample of each. I know I’m going to get emails saying that it’s not possible for logistical reasons, but you get the idea.
Give, give and give. Maybe then you have a better chance of getting.
| Tweet |
|
I've done this my entire career and only made friends and good customers.
Great points Dean.
It's all about finding out what the customer wants by helping them with their decision. You're less likely to have something returned if the customer has made an educated purchase.
Barry
Check out Give Before You Try To Get @ http://www.thebarblogger.com/give-before-you-try-t...
With undecided bar patrons I find out their taste preferances. Strong or Weak, Sweet or Sour. I will then create the drink for them based on their selections. The sell is stating that if they do not like the drink I will make another and another until we find one they do like.
I have a 95% success rate on the first drink and usually create a return guest out of 100% of the experiences.
Thanks for showing another example of this that it easier to explain to the layman.
Cheers
Dean
Absolutely!
Like us on Facebook
About Barry Chandler
Barry Chandler works with bars and restaurants to bring more customers in the door through effective use of social media, online tools and customer engagement.
Since 2004, more than 2500 bars, restaurants and hotels have used his tools and services to improve their bottom line.
TheBarBlogger.com contains daily tips and strategies to grow a profitable hospitality business.
Connect with me
Attract more customers with Social Media
It really is amazing for two reasons:
1) This is such a simple tactic but because very few service businesses actually do it, you will stand out from the crowd.
2) Customers instinctively feel the need to give you something back!
What a result!
Cheers
Barry
- spam
- offensive
- disagree
- off topic
Like