Since today is Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share a love story with you.
Nearly five years ago, Apple gave birth to the first iPhone. But before that happy day, when the first bouncing baby emerged from the factory delivery room, the most popular phone on the market was merely a twinkle in Steve Job’s eye. He had to woo his team and win them over.
I Just Called, To Say …
Apple Insider tells the story of how Jobs commissioned the Apple team.
“His [charge] was simple. He wanted to create the first phone that people would fall in love with. That’s what he told us.”
Jobs knew that if people fell in love with the iPhone that not only would they desire it and feel compelled to buy one, but they would also cherish it, and buy it presents. Presents like apps. And the more apps you have, the more dependant you become on the device and the more you fall in love with it. But first, he had to make sure people fell in love with it.
It almost brings a tear to my eye.
You Give Like a Bad Name
Love isn’t Like. You can like many things, but love is (usually) reserved for the best of the best – it’s exclusive. What if people liked your business? They might tell others, they might even buy. But if they loved your business, they would come back, time and time again, just to enjoy the love, and they would tell the world of the new love they found. Think of all the songs written about love. Your customers could be singing them about your business!
Shop! In the Name of Love
If people are going to love your business, you have to woo them. Sending out one Valentine probably isn’t going to do the trick. You have to be persistent. Let them count the ways they could love thee! Perhaps it’s better customer service, or packaging (presenting) what you do in a different way. Perhaps you can make it easier for them to buy online. Or maybe you have a series of tutorial videos that make it easier for your customers to use your products and keep that love alive.
If you love what you do, make others fall in love with what you do. And then keep the spark alive with regular contact, appreciation, gifts and imagination.
I Want to Know What Love Is
Need ideas to keep the love alive? Drop me a line! Or leave comments to tell others about how you keep the flame burning.