What Are Customers Saying About Your Brand Behind Your Back?

Jeff Bezos famously quipped that your brand is “what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” It was just an off-the-cuff remark. But it has proven to be so illuminating that it now forms the basis of many brand definitions. 

It’s true: you only find out what people really think about you when you aren’t there. 

Unfortunately, though, companies aren’t usually privy to this kind of information. Customers rarely share their inner thoughts about a brand with the brand itself.

The good news, though, is that you don’t have to rely on your specific customers to figure out what people think about you. All you need to do is look objectively at your own business. 

You Pitch All The Time – You’re Desperate

Pitching all the time seems like a good thing. But if you pay close attention, you’ll notice that the world’s most profitable brands barely pitch at all. When was the last time Google sat you down in front of a PowerPoint presentation? 

Pitching actually makes you come across as desperate to a lot of customers, even if you aren’t. And that can make them wonder why other people aren’t so keen on purchasing your products. 

Where possible, try to sell your products and services in a subtle way. Don’t be obvious. 

Your Premises Are A Mess – You’re Broke

Here’s another big one: dilapidated premises. 

Many business owners simply get used to the way that their premises appear. Over time, the peeling paint and cracked concrete just blends into the background. Business is ticking over nicely, so they don’t notice it. 

Unfortunately, there’s an opportunity cost when you take this attitude. Yes – business might be going great and you could be getting a stream of customers. But there will be many more prospects who are being put off by the shoddy state of your buildings. 

Sites like https://scsealing.com/repair/ make it clear that repairing your premises is easy. So there’s really no reason to delay. 

You Products Aren’t Up To Scratch – You’re Ripping People Off

Companies like to believe that their products are up to scratch on every level. .But if you ask customers what they really think about them, it’s often a different story. There’s always some niggle or problem that they wish your brand would solve. 

When you sell shoddy products for a high price, people automatically assume that you are ripping them off. It may just be an issue with your processes, but it can affect your brand image. Think of the last time that you sat down in a restaurant to a substandard meal with an over-inflated price. You weren’t best pleased and you probably considered leaving without paying the bill. The same goes for your customers. When they shop with you, they want to feel like they are getting real value. 

You Follow The Status Quo – You’re Boring
Lastly, if you follow the status quo, your customers will find you boring, at least according to https://www.americanexpress.com/. Try to think a little outside the box to differentiate yourself from your competitors.