What can Apple Really Teach You to Improve Your Marketing Business? I'm not going to get into the debate of PC vs. Mac; which is better or easier. I really want to point out aspects of the company and its focus that you can take back to compare with your own marketing business whether it be internet marketing or network marketing.
Apple's overall goal with their products is a total user experience and it's one of the reasons why they have so many loyal fans and repeat customers.
Walking In
The presentation inside an Apple store to welcome the new and repeat customer is nothing more than impressive. I myself have never seen a dirty store and generally greeted promptly after walking in the door if not met at the door. A lot of this is to impress and welcome the new user. Another aspect is that Apple allows customers to actually make appointments online for a shopping experience. This guarantees someone to be there to assist you in all your questions when choosing your new item, no waiting for someone available, no hunting and pecking isles for a clerk.
Your New Acquisition
Let's say for example you decide to purchase a new computer from Apple. One of the first things they offer is called "One to One" this has some particular different aspects to it, but let's talk about the key feature and where it gets its name. Apple for a simple fee of $99 will provide for you one class a week for one on one training with one of their certified trainers for 52 weeks.
Now some of you might complain and say this is an up-sale, but when you boil it down. 52 classes of one on one training with a personal trainer teaching you all aspects about your new machine and will cover at your pace any software that Apple produces for essentially less than $2.00 per class. That's an amazing deal. It surely isn't for the money, it costs them more for the trainer.
Why do you think Apple offers such a deal. It's more as to help ensure that their customers have the best experience with their product and discover how to get the most out of their purchase. It helps to alleviate frustration of owning a new computer or migrating to something a little different.
Another thing to point out, Apple has also taken the time via podcasts to produce 97 short videos to quickly and effectively introduce to you and teach you different aspects of the operating system.
The Long Haul
If you're outside your one to one classes, or even decline them Apple has set up a few items along the way really to go out of their way to perpetuate that user experience. One of the ways that they have done this is through their Genius Bar. There's two main points to the Genius bar. One is if you have any technical difficulty with your item they can diagnose the problem on the spot and take the next steps into correcting the problem. Even going as far as making in house repairs for the quickest turn around possible on your item. Sometimes this is simply turning around, and grabbing and immediate replacement product at no charge.
The second primary purpose of the Genius bar is to simple answer your questions on how to use your system. If you have a quick question something that has been eluding you on how to do something, you can make your appointment, go in and get your question answered. Apple doesn't charge anything additional for this service, it's just a continuation of that overall user experience from start to finish.
When It's Time for Something New
One aspect of the Apple experience that many don't know about is Apple's recycling program. Not only will Apple gladly take in your old product and dispose of it properly, but they will actually give you trade in credit towards a replacement. If something is outside of warranty or even if you just want to upgrade to the newest release, you actually have a trade in value on your previous purchase towards your new one. They even accept PC's on this exchange, just a side note if you've been debating on switching over.
How Does This Relate to My Business?
I know I've given you a lot of information that you might think is irrelevant to your Marketing Business whether it be Network Marketing or Internet Marketing. But let's review Apple's overall intent. "User Experience"
When your potential customers come to you, what greets them, does everything look neat and tidy or a hap hazard mess? This could be your person, the facilities you've provided or even as simple as your website.
Is there a system in place for them to get the most out of your product making sure they stay pleased with their purchase instead of a major regret? This feeling of regret is often what brings about all the scam claims. Well that and poor marketing tactics by competitor companies. Make sure you're customers know where to go to get more information or help with their purchase. A business opportunity might need a coaching element, nutritional products might need notes and information to case studies etc...
Do you stay in contact with your customers continuing to build that relationship until they're ready for something new or an upgrade? Keeping the customers connected, being curious about what they're doing and keeping curious about what you're up to can go a long way in building a sound relationship.
Are you in it just for the quick sale or a successful long term business? One thing to realize that with a quick sale often comes a quick business. One of those businesses that are here today gone tomorrow. If you're truly trying to build a successful business, then you need to be in that marathon and make sure your foundation is solid from start to finish, because with that solid foundation will come with it customers that follow you from upgrade to upgrade and be in it with you for the long haul as well. Taking a second look at your entire system and tweaking it even just a little can go a long way into improving your marketing business.
Say what you will about Apple, but it's this focus on the total user experience that has maintained them so many loyal customers. Not many companies can create a two hour commercial, call it a keynote, and have customers lining up to watch it. That in and of itself is impressive, but it's the foundation and focus that has made it possible. To Apple it's more about the customer than making a buck. It's another reason why in the midst of one of the worst recession in decades they're still doing so well.
Leave a comment below and tell me what you've been able to learn from Apple to improve your marketing business.
John Woodman is an expert in marketing and social media strategies both in Hawaii and World Wide via the web. More about Internet Marketing at his site [
http://johnrwoodman.com/?t=EA]http://johnrwoodman.com. Check out [
http://joinjohnwoodman.info/?t=EA]Free Training on how to incorporate and better use Social Media and Internet Marketing for your business or become an expert yourself.
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