KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid
The first time I heard of the acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) I was about 14 years old and it came in the form of screams directed at the back of my head. The screamer was Ron Kunold, my high school tennis coach. Not a gentle man by any means, but a very, very good coach. He was able to inspire a girl who joined the tennis team pretty much solely because it was the only co-ed sports option and transform her into a decent tennis player. His K.I.S.S. method kept me going through matches with opponents who were much stronger and more skilled than myself, but simply couldn’t keep the ball in play. There were many who came to the match thinking an easy win was in store. I mean, how could they lose to (gasp!) a girl. And yet, as long as I kept hitting that ball back over the net I proved that I could win – or at least hold my own!
Over the years I’ve found myself using Mr. Kunold’s advice over and over in day-to-day activities. It’s usually when I get overwhelmed by a certain situation or project and need to drum up a little focus. It’s kind of neat how the K.I.S.S. method translates into the business world and, taking it to another level, into a business’s marketing plan.
Now, I don’t scream it into the backs of clients’ heads, but I have been preaching the K.I.S.S. method to them quite often this past year. You see, there are a lot of people out there who are, unfortunately, dangling shiny objects in front of business owners, promising that their shiny object is just the thing to get them through these difficult financial times. And some business owners may feel a sense of desperation and leap at these shiny objects when all they needed to do in the first place is to stay focused and remember the K.I.S.S. method.
Of course every business is different, but listed below are 4 tried and true, basic (K.I.S.S.) marketing/promotional steps to remember when times get tough.
- Make your product or service the best it can be. I know it’s tough when you’re struggling, but keeping quality a priority is a must. Customers will learn that they can depend on your product or service, which will, in the long run, save them time and money.
- Give your customers the very best customer service possible. Smile – tell your staff to smile. Sometimes if you fake it long enough, it might actually turn your mood around! And answer customers’ phone calls or emails as quickly as possible. Let them know that you respect and appreciate them.
- Sell to your existing customers first. They’ve bought from you before and we are all creatures of habit. Give them reasons which are practical (customer appreciation sales) and emotional (remembering their birthdays) to come back.
- Take pride in your surroundings. Keep your storefront or offices in order. Don’t slack off on cleanliness, window displays, etc. The manner in which you keep your own business, like it or not, is a reflection on how you’ll take care of your customers.
Well, that’s the basics. For a free one-on-one consultation with myself, give me a call. I’d love to chat! No hype, no hard sales, no shiny objects, I promise. Just good common sense advice.
In the meantime, remember K.I.S.S. and have a super day!
Dina Boettcher, President
Boettcher Communications, LLC
101 N. 4th Avenue, Suite 105
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920.818.0377
dina@boettchercommunications.com
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