Newsagents often cite superior customer service as a point of difference they offer over other retailers selling magazines, stationery and greeting cards. This newsagency marketing idea challenges newsagents to take the customer service experience to a new level and to have fun at the same time.
Setup a small desk near the entrance to your newsagency on the busiest day of the week. Fit out the desk with a visitor chair, a phone (it does not have to work), blotter (if you can get it), pens, a couple of trays – make it look like something from the 1960s. Try and find a bell for people to ring too. Make a name plate: CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Next, dress the part of an old-style office manager. Sit behind the desk, smiling at people as they come and go.
Hopefully, something happens. Hopefully, customers enjoy the fun of the set and hopefully you get questions and engage in discussions that lead to business opportunities.
You could put a money box on the desk and ask for a gold coin donation for a local charity for every bit of advice you give – and you could take questions not directly related to the business. This could be one way to broaden the focus of what you are trying to do.
The core goal of the idea is to show current and prospective customers that you care about customer service. Along the way you can show them you can have fun. The gold could be opportunities you uncover as a result.
If you really immerse yourself in this idea talk to the local paper and use your business Facebook page to promote it.
This is your opportunity to change how people see your business in terms of customer service.