Outsmart the competition with one email

and summer customer loving 🌞

Summer is not dead.

In fact, for the curious cats🐈‍⬛ among you, summer can be THE best time to speak to your customers and community.

I mean the real speaking. Not through email. Not through polls or emojis. An actual conversation.

It’s THE biggest advantage you can have over your competitors (who are probably NOT doing it or doing it wrong).

“There is no substitute for hearing your customer explain something in their own words, with their own emotion, and their own context. Surveys don’t give you this. Dashboards don’t give you this. Guesses definitely don’t give you this.”

Do Penguins Eat Peaches? And Other Unexpected Ways of Discovering What Your Customers Want

(yes I know I’m quoting myself here😉)

Most businesses and most people are taking things a little slower over the summer and with enough notice can usually make the time for a 30-45 minute conversation.

Send an email this week and see for yourself.

Don’t fret over what questions you’ll ask yet - there’ll be plenty of time to plan.

Just reach out to a handful of folks and I guarantee someone will say yes.

If you’re a little nervous, start with some friendlies. People who’ve bought from you before or acquaintances (not quite friends) who are also your ideal customer.

If you are stuck on how to ask, I shared a few simple scripts a few months ago in this post. And if you don’t like them, well, what can I say, ask ChatGPT.

Remember that having intentional conversations with customers (not just unstructured chit-chat) is a service to you and your customers. It means you get clarity on what they want and your customers ultimately will get what they need.

If you don’t believe me, listen to Jaz who read my book and sent me this ⬇️⬇️:

In the comments this week, I’d love if we can find some matches - if you are looking for someone in particular to interview this summer or are up for being interviewed, let us know. Let’s help each other out.

That’s it for this week. Have a good one. Keep cool and send that email. For behind the scenes, check my P.S.⬇️

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P.S. Last week was full. Socialising with new Greek neighbours (amazing snacks) and mid-week garden pizza and drinks with old friends. My son turned 16🎂, had his prom and looked ridiculously handsome in his brand new suit (he only went and bagged Prom King👑 and has the golden sash to prove it #proudmama). We also have two black (stray) kittens who’ve settled in the garden next door. My daughter is lobbying HARD to adopt them - Thunder🐾 the dog has other ideas.

How I’ll be keeping cool this week: I’m upgrading from newspaper and blue tack on south facing windows (the ones without blinds) to this temporary stick on roll stuff my friend told me about and you can catch me flouncing around my neck of the woods in my brand new pair of Arizona Birkenstocks.

If you enjoyed my musings today please do let me know by dropping a heart 💖, leaving a comment or sharing with friends who need a bit of Jungle Juice in their life.