Kevin Price, Host of the Price of Business on Business Talk 1110 AM KTEK (on Bloomberg’s home in Houston) recently interviewed Brian Gallo. Here’s that interview
About the interviewee
Brian Gallo, a creative individual with a very particular set of skills. Over the years Brian has honed these skills, perfecting his craft by striking a delicate balance of art and science. Recently Brian discovered that when applied in a small business environment, his techniques give business owners a distinct advantage in the development of lasting relationships with customers, a key component for steadily increasing revenue. Today Brian delights in sharing his techniques with business owners open to exploring somewhat unorthodox methods for developing customer loyalty. Brian Gallo is a Text Message Master with LoyalVIP.
Tell me about your firm (number of employees, location, type of companies you work with, etc.).
LoyalVIP is a full service loyalty system installer and mobile marketing management firm based in Fresno, CA. We work with businesses who value their customers and understand that loyal customers will grow business more quickly than any marketing efforts. 98% of text messages are read in the first few minutes. Everyone with a cell phone knows this is true from experience, when the phone vibrates or makes a noise, we are almost trained to pick it up. This is a powerful technology when used appropriately.
What type and size of companies do you have as clients?
Our services are most effective with fast-casual restaurants, salon/spas, entertainment venues and specialty retail. Real estate agents and rental property managers have also seen measurable benefits in working with LoyalVIP.
What comes to mind when you see this topic?
When you are looking to grow your business, keep it simple. Focus on earning your customers’ trust by offering something of value, allow your customers to earn rewards by visiting your business frequently and then partner with your existing loyal customers to share their experience with friends. As your existing customers bring their friends, those friends become your friends and so it grows. This natural evolution of your customer base can be expedited with a few strategically delivered text messages that serve as a reminder to visit your business. In many cases a reminder is all that is needed to trigger a person to act.
Rewarding your customers for being loyal is a simple and effective way to show you notice them. Let’s put it this way, you have two places in mind for lunch but at the first location you are only a visit away from a free meal. Which do you choose?
What are the best practices when it comes to this issue?
It is important that anyone attempting to implement a text based messaging system understand the anti-SPAM laws involved. Large organizations such as Coke, Papa John’s, and even the Buffalo Bills have allegedly been caught operating outside the law, and have paid millions in settlements.
Contact information:
www.loyalvip.com