Feeding wild birds is very popular in the United States, according to Wikipedia over 55 million Americans are active bird feeders out of a U.S. population of 309,257,847 (I got that figure from the U.S. Census Bureau Web site). I did the math and that is almost 18 per cent of the American population. So how does this relate to small business? We'll get to that a little later in the posting, but an article in the New York Times, How Do you Keep Them Coming Back, presented some great ideas on getting customers to return that will relate to the bird statistics above. The whole article is worth reading but the examples of how two coffee shops get repeat business made me think of a local business that I frequent. One coffee shop has a frequent sippers reward card that they keep on file at the store and the second provides very personal customer service.
Now for the link to feeding wild birds and repeat customers, but first a little background. I have two bird feeders that I keep filled year round and a bird bath. Winters can be nasty here in the Midwest, so I even have a heater so the birds (and squirrels) have water even in the dead of winter. I buy most of my birdseed from a local, privately owned garden shop for the same reasons mentioned above about the coffee shops. They have a card for me at the store and when I buy 10 bags of seed I get the next one free (an $18 value). I also get excellent customer service, they even carry the bag out and load it in my car.
There is actually a third reason as well, it is simply better quality than I can get at my local grocery store. It has a more expensive blend of seed that appeals to more birds. It could be my imagination, but when I get busy and sometimes fill my feeders with grocery store feed, I don't seem to have near as many birds and I think they get excited when I put the "good stuff" in.
Now for something to see if we can get you coming back to our blog. We'll give a free prize to the first 10 people who post a comment to this article, any takers? By the way, a comment of simply what is the prize does not count.
I feed the birds as well and the grocery store kind has a lot of seed that the birds just throw out to get to the good stuff. Buying local lets me pick and choose the kind I like to attract the birds I enjoy watching.
Posted by: Sam | May 12, 2010 at 05:37 PM
I don't feed the birds but I do feed the squrrals and rabbits in my back yard. Yes it keeps them comming back an great pleasure for me just to watch them. If you feed your customers with good quality products and service they will keep comming back too.
Posted by: AL HARDEN | May 13, 2010 at 09:22 AM
We are considering a frequent buyers program, so your post is very timely for us. We feel (hopefully) that we always offer the good customer service aspect. Having both good customer service and a frequent buyers program should help fight the big box stores. Thanks for the post!
Posted by: Bob Vasile | May 13, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Sam,
Thanks for your comment. You make a good point. The bird seed I like has a high sunflower content and it pays off because I've counted 12 cardinals at once in the winter.
If you e-mail me your mailing address at [email protected] I'll get your prize out next week.
Thanks again,
Randy Alletag
Posted by: Randy Alletag | May 14, 2010 at 04:29 PM
Al,
Thanks for your comment. I make sure to get enough seed to feed the squirrels as well (we have about 8 in our backyard). I agree with you about products and service, it is even in our company Mission Statement.
If you e-mail me your mailing address at [email protected] I'll get your prize out next week.
Thanks again,
Randy Alletag
Posted by: Randy Alletag | May 14, 2010 at 05:05 PM
Bob,
Thanks for your comment. Good luck with your frequent buyers program. It should work very well with your good customer service.
If you e-mail me your mailing address at [email protected] I'll get your prize out next week.
Thanks again,
Randy Alletag
Posted by: Randy Alletag | May 14, 2010 at 05:10 PM