• Take the Survey of Rural Challenges
  • Small Town Speaker Becky McCray
  • Shop Local video
  • SaveYour.Town

Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource

A row of small town shops
  • Front Page
  • Latest stories
  • About
  • Guided Tour
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • RSS

It’s the Little Things

By Glenn Muske

small things

Photo (CC) by Sherman Geronimo-Tan, on Flicker

Did you ever have a really good idea only to see someone else jump on it first? Well, this blog post is representative of that. I came up with the idea last week and as I got ready to write this blog appeared in my email, “This Place is Perfect.” 

So my options are to forget the idea or to build on it. Since I firmly believe in the idea, I chose build.

Let’s start with a basic premise – The people who are your ongoing, repeat customers are coming back not for the one big WOOHOO experience they had. They return because of the ongoing little things. Some examples include a smile, knowing your name, cleanliness, organized, stocked shelves, and easy to please. It’s also things like a clean bathroom, convenient parking, bags that don’t rip, and even help carrying out your purchases.

It’s also knowing your customer and aiming to meet any special wishes. I try and avoid shopping bags when possible. One store I frequent knows to ask if I what something bagged or not. I also know of stores that set things aside as they know certain customers want the item but won’t be able to be in until a few hours or days later.

As Rescue Marketing’s post notes, you want your small things to surprise people. Watch the competition and do everything they do, only then do a few things even better.

Remember, it’s the little things that make people your long-term customers.

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Glenn Muske

Glenn Muske is an independent expert on rural small business, working as GM Consulting – Your partner in achieving small business success. He provides consulting, and writes articles for county extension agents and newspapers across North Dakota. Previously, he was the Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist at the North Dakota State University Extension Service – Center for Community Vitality.
  • Change - December 26, 2018
  • Regular Customers Form Your Base - December 12, 2018
  • Disasters: Is Your Small Business Ready? - December 5, 2018
  • Business Startup: Steps to Remember - November 28, 2018
  • HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM SMALL BIZ SURVIVAL - November 21, 2018
  • Finding a Business Idea - November 14, 2018
  • Does Your Networking Have Punch? - November 7, 2018
  • Build Tomorrow’s Community Business Sector - October 24, 2018
  • Are You Changing? - October 17, 2018
  • Is it really a deal? - October 10, 2018

June 27, 2018 Filed Under: Small Biz 100, success

Wondering what is and is not allowed in the comments?
Or how to get a nifty photo beside your name?
Check our commenting policy.
Use your real name, not a business name.


Don't see the comment form?
Comments are automatically closed on older posts, but you can send me your comment via this contact form and I'll add it manually for you. Thanks!

Howdy!

Glad you dropped in to the rural and small town business blog, established in 2006.

We want you to feel at home, so please take our guided tour.

Meet our authors on the About page.

Have something to say? You can give us a holler on the contact form.

If you would like permission to re-use an article you've read here, please make a Reprint Request.

Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.

Shop Local

Buy local buttonReady to set up a shop local campaign in your small town? You'll need a guide who understands how we're different and what really works: Shop Local Campaigns for Small Towns.

Best of Small Biz Survival

What is holding us back? Why does every project take so long in small towns?

How any business can be part of downtown events by going mobile

Concert-goers talking and enjoying the evening in downtown Webster City, Iowa.

Why do people say there’s nothing to do here then not come to our concerts?

Retailers: Fill all empty space, floor to ceiling

More of the best of Small Biz Survival

Copyright © 2023 Becky McCray
Front Page · Log in