- Make your marketing materials more educational. Include a product history, list benefits from a customer perspective, explain how it works, and provide comparisons of why your product is better than the competition.
- Provide customized information packets neatly organized in a pocket folder full of detailed information for customers interested in a specific product or service.
- Show confidence in your products by providing free samples, free product evaluations, or a discounted, no-obligation trial for customers to try your products or services firsthand and learn more about them before making a decision to buy. If you listen to the radio almost every direct response ad offers a free trial.
- Take advantages of opportunities to be viewed as an expert in your field. Write guest columns in industry publications, speak at a trade show or on a radio feature, and post your own blog.
- Provide a Q&A section on your website that offers convenient answers to potential questions.
- Offer educational product videos that show product highlights, key features, and tips.
- Create customer forums that allow customers to discuss your products openly and educate each other.
- Provide free hands-on training or presentations at your business, during trade shows, or on-site for customers to see and learn the benefits of your products firsthand.
- Offer webinars, e-learning, or how-to seminars that offer educational tips and interesting information not only about your products, but your industry as a whole.
- Publish a regular newsletter as a marketing tool to build relationships and offer information about your business, team, products, and industry.
- Invite customers "behind the scenes." Give them a tour of your building, and introduce them to your team. Show them a "day in the life" of your company. Let them view how products are made and learn more about your quality-control standards and guides.
Remember that educating your customers shouldn't stop at the sale. By staying front-of mind and continuing to offer helpful information and tips, your customers will look to you first when they are ready to purchase again in the future.