When you ask someone what they love about a venue, it’s quiet rare for them to offer a laundry list of attributes. There’s almost always a hook. That one thing the place does remarkably well and that gets someone to come back again and again (and bring their friends).
The trouble I see many businesses get in is that they optimize their space for the wrong things.
Instead of listening to what people want and go there for, they spend their time and money improving things they, the owners, want or think is best.
Either that, or they focus on becoming average by making sure nothing sucks, but nothing’s out-of-this-world, either.
Better businesses – the one’s we remark to others – listen and then invest accordingly.
And if it’s not a straight investment, they’re okay sacrificing one attribute to excel at another. Many times that produces an even greater stamp of approval from fans.
“Their seating arrangement is pretty uncomfortable, but the food is so, so worth it.”
For most businesses, it makes sense to focus on a hook, to give fans something specific to talk about. Just be sure it’s what people are coming for and not what you wish they would come for.
Stay Positive & Listen, And Then Listen Some More
Photo credit
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