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Treating Your Customers Like Royalty

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My husband and I recently celebrated at Bistro Bella Vita in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was absolutely divine and here’s why.

Yes, making online reservations was super convenient. And yes, the venue was interesting and the made-from-scratch, sustainably sourced food was, oh, so good. What was most memorable, however, and why we’ll certainly come back, was the way we were treated.

So, it was our 44th wedding anniversary and every staff in house must have received the memo. From the moment we entered they made us feel special—not that staff-singing, all-eyes-on-you, embarrassing modus—rather a genuine warmth that brought smiles to our hearts. Many of the staff individually came to our table and congratulated us. They asked how long we’ve been married and marveled at our years. Our server offered complimentary desserts (I chose tiramisu, gastro-swoon!). When we were leaving, she wished us many more years to come.

Treating us like royalty has made us loyal customers indeed. Next time we’re in western Michigan, you’ll find us dining at Bistro Bella Vita.

CX is King/Queen in 2023

Those in the know say customer experience, or CX, has become a top priority for consumers. Royal treatment may sound highfalutin, but it’s the name of the game for small business marketing.

What experience do your customers have when they patronize your business? Are they coming back for more? What can you do to make them feel like royalty?

Not sure? Ask them!

What I’m Working On This Month

Check out my updated website (and please let me know of any glitches, typos, or dead links:-).

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

Let’s Work Together

Need help branding your business or promoting your product? Let’s discuss ideas.

CONTACT ME

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Wisconsin Outdoors is Calling.

Shop Here

Love Yourself, Love Your Business

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Ever wonder why marketing yourself is so hard? True confession—I can promote my clients much easier than I can myself. When it comes to my own business, I have to really push.

If you’re like me, you may feel awkward and self-conscious about marketing. You feel talking about yourself is a form of vanity. You worry what other people think, especially those you know. Here’s the thing, if this mindset overtakes you, you’re actually cheating your business from the positive exposure it deserves. Even worse, you’re cheating your customers from the valuable product you have to offer.

Here’s a pep talk for marketing yourself with confidence!

10 Self-Loves to Motivate Your Marketing

  1. If you don’t market your business, you’ll have no business.
    —Successful entrepreneurs everywhere
  2. Don’t let the expectations and opinions of other people affect your decisions. It’s your life (business), not theirs.
    ―Roy T. Bennett, author, nonpolitician 
  3. Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.
    —Brené Brown, professor, lecturer, author, and podcast host
  4. Criticism is the tool of envy and jealousy.
    —Joe Cervantes, attorney and member of the New Mexico Senate
  5. Your work has value and should be compensated accordingly.
    —paraphrased from Ilise Benum, marketing expert for creative professionals
  6. Marketing is really just about sharing your passion.
    —Michael Hyatt, NY Times Best Selling Author
  7. Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.
    —Coco Chanel, fashion designer and businesswoman
  8. There’s nothing wrong with staying small. You can do big things with a small team.
    —Jason Fried, founder & CEO of Basecamp
  9. Don’t let yourself off the hook by deciding that something is out of your reach, instead, ask yourself, ‘What would I do if I weren’t afraid?‘
    —Sheryl Sandburg, business executive, billionaire, and philanthropist
  10. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
    —Neale Donald Walsch, author, actor, screenwriter, and speaker

What I’m Working On This Month

January has been a month of maintenance. It’s all part of wintering, as they say. It’s also necessary for small business ownership. Hopefully all will soon be ready for launch!

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  • RAW DEAL: A dirty underbelly that affects not only small farm producers but we consumers as well.
  • REST MANIFESTO: Winter’s a good time for resting. This article helps us feel less guilty when we do.
  • DEMON COPPERHEAD: Author Barbara Kingsolver says in life she is not a risk-taker but as a writer she chooses the fast car. She really did with this one.
  • IS EVERYONE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN? With what they’ve been given? Dr. Brené Brown makes us think in this podcast.

Let’s Work Together

Think Adunate might be a good fit for your next project? Give me a holler and we’ll discuss ideas.

CONTACT ME

Valentines in the Shop

For the Outdoor Lover in All of You!

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Ending the Year with a Bomb (Cyclone)

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Dreaming of a White Christmas? We got it (and more). The good news is, following those frigid temps, gusty winds, and drifts of snow, came the sun. And a glorious sunshine it’s been!

Hang In There!

In many ways small businesses are dealing with their own end-of-year storm. COVID, worker shortages, supply chain disruptions, high inflation are all challenges entrepreneurs face. But the good news is, people are sticking together and helping one another.  

I’m thankful for another year working with an inspiring network of people. Many are clients. Others are cohorts. They have helped me in a multitude of ways and I’ve been honored to be there for them. We’re hanging in there.

And here’s the most optimistic news of all: Small businesses everywhere are finding success. The sun shines after a storm. Hang in there! 

LET’s WORK TOGETHER
Commerce Street Brewery Hotel, Mineral Point, WI

What I’m Working On This Week: Nothing!

They say the week between Christmas and New Year’s is when you don’t know what day it is, who you are, and what you’re supposed to be doing. Yep, that’s us. And, for the good word, Commerce Street Brewery Hotel is a delightful mid-week getaway!

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  1. Maine’s tree tippers: A generational tradition of trimming trees and making wreaths.
  2. What is cozy, really? With January in the coming, this is something you may want to know.
  3. Covid came quickly but the vaccine did not. How scientists developed the mRNA Technology inside Covid vaccines. Not as rushed as some of us thought.
  4. Infinite Ellipses of Ritual and Flavor, a tasty read on beans. Plus a recipe.

However you celebrate the holidays, God’s blessings be with you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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5 Marketing Trends to Consider for 2023

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Let’s talk fire cider—horseradish, jalapeño peppers, garlic, and all manner of knock-your-socks-off fortification for the cold months ahead. This year my concoction carries additional terroir because I used cider made from our bountiful peach crop. You could say I’ve been planning for winter for the past six months. I’ve been making other plans as well—my 2023 marketing plans. As I research small business and consumer trends, I’ve found interesting ideas that have me thinking outside my box. Maybe you too?

Might these trends fortify your business?

  1. Cryptocurrency is gaining ground
    Crypto cuts through credit card hassles for small business owners. It offers lower fees and instantaneous fund transfers. Hey, even my church accepts crypto donations. 
  2. Short-form video marketing captivating social media 
    Social media prioritizes video, making it highly visible and sharable—essentially free advertising. Maybe you can do a tutorial for your product? Or a tour of your farm? 
  3. Subscription marketing brings new/repeat customers
    With subscriptions we often think of CSA food or Amazon Prime. But any product that involves replenishment, curation or access can be sold via a subscription. 
  4. “Personal” is the buzzword
    From iPhones to Misfits Market, personalization has become essential to customers who expect companies to understand their unique needs and expectations.
  5. Customer Experience (CX) is more important than ever
    It’s always the year of the customer, but CX in 2023 could be even more important (some might say demanding, see #4). Here are a few suggestions.
LET’s WORK TOGETHER

What I’m Working On This Month

I’m studying maps and guides for a new poster project. Watch for it in 2023. In the meantime, check out my current shop for the outdoor adventurers in your life!

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  1. Mark Bittman interviews Alice Waters: they’re both champions for good food. Alice takes it further and teaches children of food and democracy. 
  2. It’s Cranberry Season! Ever wonder why fields are flooded for harvesting? Learn a little more about Wisconsin’s state fruit. 
  3. Returning the Gift, by Robin Kimmerer. We can never revisit this too often. Perfect for Thanksgiving.
  4. The Ski Jumpers, by Peter Geye. A favorite author’s latest novel, all the ingredients of a captivating story.

What I Wish For You

God’s blessings on your Thanksgiving. May your upcoming holidays be meaningful, however you celebrate!

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What’s Your Niche? Who’s Your Target?

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Happy Halloween! Can you imagine exploring this Shining-esque hotel for spooks and spirits?! 

This happens to be the Red Rock Inn in Ontario, Canada. We stayed here recently while on our Lake Superior Circle Tour and the local landmark was everything that excites us—historic architecture, eclectic decor, and friendly owners with fascinating stories. On top of that, our room was spotlessly clean and cozy.

Here’s the thing, not everyone would share our opinion. Not everyone is comfortable with the unpredictability of non-chain hotels. Not everyone is enamored with history. Not everyone has a desire to meander off the beaten path. And that’s okay because there’s something out there for each of us. 

What it does say to business owners—small business owners especially—is that you can’t be all things to all people. You need to have a niche. You need to target a specific audience. And both have to match who you are as a business. 

Red Rock Inn regularly hosts Ontario bands and local events.

5 Hints for Choosing Your Niche and Target Market

This article by Entrepreneur magazine is spot on. However, I’m going to reword it based on my own opinion, which is based on my own experience. Take it or leave it.

  1. Identify Your Passion and Skills
    Choosing a niche within your passion and skillset makes work more enjoyable. You’ll have greater credibility, communication, and problem-solving.
     
  2. Like Your Target Market
    Your target market are people you work with every day. Make sure you enjoy them and their demographics. 
     
  3. Research Your Competition
    Knowing your competition helps you brainstorm ways to be unique. It also reveals the profitability of a market—no competition equals no profit.
     
  4. Determine Profitability
    You have to make a living. If your niche or target market have no profit, expand one or the other, or both.
     
  5. Be Flexible
    Remember the Pandemic Pivot? When innovative change was necessary for survival? Always practice that open-minded living.

Want To Learn More of Who You Are?

What I’m Working On This Month

Each year I design a poster to commemorate our Octoberfest Brewery Tour. It’s good exercise for my creative brain and I’m accumulating quite the collection! 

What I’m Tuned In To This Month

  1. Politics of School Food: My granddaughter’s school served pizza every day in September (thankfully, she packs her own lunch).
  2. Must-reads from Milkweed Editions. Earlier this month we celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day. Here’s a list of Native authors.
  3. How Fermented Foods Shaped the World, a new book by Julia Skinner. Food history is fascinating.
  4. The Barred Owl Who Came To Visit, beautifully told by Heather Swan. God sends us what we need.
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