Marketing and Management Update

Free Service Leads to Loyal Customers November 20, 2006

Posted by Tim Raines in: business, marketing , trackback

Marketing and Management Update Free samples? Free service? Volunteering? It will most likely make you feel great. And it might just earn you some new customers, as Seth Godin points out via a note from one of his visitors:

Rick writes:

Our little tire shop repaired her tire and had her on her way in a few minutes. Now, we’ve just moved to this small Texas town, and though we’ve lived in Texas for years, what happened next still took me a bit by surprise. My wife inquired about payment, and they wouldn’t hear of it- she needed help and they gave it to her. Well, she decided it was time for some new tires and told them she’d be back in the morning for two.

Maybe it’s something about helping folks with a flat, but what a great example of how easy it is to build a brand when you help someone in need.

Helping someone when they really need you is just icing on the cake. Give some thought to giving something back or at the very least, giving something away. If not for altruistic reasons, at least do it to gain some new (and fiercely loyal) customers.