In lieu of reminiscing on the best and worst bathroom experiences, bathroom marketing experiences, that is, of my past year (as I have in the past), I thought I would contemplate some recommendations for small enterprises and local businesses who truly want to cover all their bases, so to speak, when it comes to customer experiences.
When it comes to bathrooms… it stands repeating: we don’t give them enough attention. You would think after a few years of this Bathroom Blogfest-ing business, we’d have raised some awareness, but nonetheless, there’s still a LOT of improvement to be done in this area. My only fear is that, in this new age of Twitter, that folks will start tweeting from the potty that they need more TP. But I digress….
One this is certain: customers now have a very loud voice, and they can use it to talk about anything they want.
Here’s my “what-if” of the day:
BAD IDEA: Instead of having a gross bathroom and running the risk of an unfortunate social network outcry…
GOOD IDEA: Create a bathroom experience that is outstanding. Then hang signs in the bathroom that say “If our bathroom is in need of service, please text a request to xxx.xxx.xxxx or speak to any one of our staff. If our bathroom is sparkling, please feel free to compliment us by tweeting @acmebiztweets.” Then, take the opportunity to do something nice for those who connect. This technique may sound outlandish, but it would seem the sort of tactic that could lead to a lasting relationship with the super-connectors among your customer base.
What do you think of all this potty talk?
I’m participating in the Bathroom Blogfest 2010, and here are links to a few of my fellow bloggers this week. Check them out!
David Reich wrote on My 2 Cents Bathroom Blogfest: Some Pay for Captive Audience.
Renee LeCroy from Your Fifth Wall asked Are You Overdue for a Bathroom Redo?
Steve Tokar in Please Be Seated discussed Bathroom Blogfest 2010: back to the 60s.
Valerie Fritz in the AwarepointBlog highlighted Customer Experience in Hospitals: Why Bathrooms Matter!
Paul Anater in Kitchen and Residential Design Blog wrote Still stuck in the 60s? That may not be a bad thing…
Jeanne Byington in The Importance of Earnest Service offered bathroom perspective and advice in Service of Nostalgia.
Joseph Michelli wrote about Quality Toilet Paper on Dr. Joseph Michelli’s Blog.
Christine Whittemore contributed New Jersey’s Best Bathrooms: Bathroom Blogfest 2010 on the Smoke Rise & Kinnelon Blog, reminded us in Flooring The Consumer that Water Matters. Bathroom Blogfest 2010 and put forth a content plan for the week on Simple Marketing Blog in Bathroom Blogfest 2010 Begins.
Marianna, what a fabulous suggestion and a lovely enhancement to the Bathroom Blogfest! I’m with you about raising awareness for the importance of bathrooms in the customer experience. Maybe this is the year that we change the world!
Thanks for being part of the event.
Best,
CB