Showing posts with label Overcoming Fear of the unknown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Overcoming Fear of the unknown. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Is Public Fear Limiting Your Business Potential?


When I walked my daughter to her kindergarten class as she attended school for the first time she held my hand tight.  Although she was very excited and outwardly expressed that she was ready to gain her independence, I could feel the clammy coldness moister on her palms as she masked the fear of the unknown. 

It was the same fear my son had the first time I took him Trick-or-Treating on a dark Halloween night.  As we walked around the block in his favorite superhero costume, we came upon a house that was extremely decorated embracing the full spirit of the night.  It had realistic graveyards, strobe lights, bloodcurdling sounds and the most horrifying creatures standing guard of the loot ready to be handed out to brave little soles.  My son looked up at me and said, “Daddy, I don’t want to go to that house!”  Of course, that house was ours.  He had never seen the front of it in the dark on Halloween night.  He was afraid of the unknown.



We all have experienced the fear of the unknown.  Usually, our fears derived from the first time we experienced something.  Whether it was school, riding a bike, swimming, college, job, date or even our first kiss; the fear of the unknown increased our heartbeat, produced beaded droplets on our upper lip and sometimes buckled our knees.  A choice was presented as we could go forward and gain experience or avoid the discomfort and pause the anxiety for the time being. Of course, if you think back to all of the first, without facing our fears, we would not have gained the rewards that awaited on the other side of the proverbial door of the unknown.

Today, your potential customers are facing the same types of fears.  Some are still worried about a seasonal virus.  Others are scared that people who look or think different actually hate each other.  Much of these fears exist because of the media and politicians using fear to sensationalize stories, but perception becomes reality and the fear exist thus altering their buying habits.  Businesses are facing fear as well.  Finances are being scrutinized as the unemployment rate has risen to unprecedented numbers.  Global trade wars and oil production perpetuate the fear while analysts try to prognosticate the unknown.

Knowing and understanding that fear is an emotion that is induced by a perception of what could or might happen can help business owners help ease their potential customers concerns.  There are a few things a business can do to create an inviting environment to gain a larger market share.
Great Product or Service.  This is quite obvious to many, but we have to mention it.  If your product or service lacks in areas, your competition will fill the void and take away your potential customers.  Customer service should be its own mentioned item; however, we will state that people want to feel appreciated for spending their discretionary income with you.  Therefore, let your customers know that you value them.

Safety.  Whether you agree with the reports or not, the majority of the public is more knowledgeable about the spread of a virus even if it is much like the common flu.  Therefore, look into investing into PPE products to give an impression that you care about the safety of your employees as well as your potential customers.  Something as simple as making hand sanitizer available can go a long way.

Communication.  Today, people have a plethora of information at their fingertips.  They are spending more time looking at social media than ever before.  Sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have billions of users who are averaging as much as 8 hours a day on these media platforms.  It only makes sense that if your potential customers are spending half of their waking hours scrolling through content; you should focus your marketing and advertising resources communicating with them.  With the advancement of technology, you have the ability to provide a consistent message easing your customers concerns allowing them to research making the decision to conduct business with your company.  You should have a strategy that is easy to implement as well as consistent earning your potential customers trust thus limiting the fear of the unknown.

Business is no different than life and with social media your entire operation is online for the world to see.  As business around the United States are dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak and stories of racial inequality; now is the time to get back to the basics.  Many of the lessons our kids, you and me have learned through the years are applicable today.

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to the outbreak and news stories of racial inequality and continues to be our goal today.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention. See how we have helped clients in multiple industries across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more as we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to your audience.  www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!