How to seduce your customers like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day

Good Friday afternoon folks!

I’m going to be honest with you, this is a short post because it’s Friday afternoon, it’s the bank holiday weekend here in the UK and the weather is dreary so I’m in the mood to get under the duvet, put on a film and wake up in time for next summer (but will probably settle for waking up tomorrow).

I still have a bunch of writing to do which I love, but as I was daydreaming about what kind of duvet films are the best, I remembered Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and had a flash of inspiration for this post which I hope you’re going to enjoy.

First step. If you have 5 minutes and 30 seconds free, watch this clip from 4mins 30 onwards.

Click here if you can’t see it.

If you don’t, I’ll give you the lowdown.

By some bizarre twist, Bill Murrays’ character Phil Connors is caught in a repetitive day, Groundhog Day.

He decides to try and seduce Andie MacDowell’s character Rita by playing out the same evening night after night after night until he gets all the responses right to win her affection.

It doesn’t go exactly to plan, but the part where he quotes 19th century French poetry is brilliant.

Now, you don’t have the luxury of a repetitive day where your customers forget all your mistakes and only see the brilliant parts of your content and communication, but you can certainly learn a thing or two from Bill Murray’s character in this film.

Listen to your customers. No, really listen

For the first time, Phil is listening to producer Rita. He is being attentive and taking note of the things that she likes: Vermouth on the Rocks, World Peace, and French Poetry for example, and also what she doesn’t like: Fudge and white chocolate.

Takeaway – Look for the clues to what your customer might like and not like. Which of your blog posts get the most comments? Have you asked your newsletter readers what topics they might like you to cover? Interact, ask and ask again.

Repeat what works…

Based on the feedback Phil gets in the film, he starts to tailor his responses to only tell Rita what she wants to hear, and do the things she find adorable about him. For the most part, this works. She finds him interesting, sensitive and with lots in common to her.

Takeaway – If your customers are raving about a blog post, do a follow up post, or offer an information product expanding on the subject. As you write lots of content about your business, take notice of the positive feedback and work on producing more of what works and gets a great response.

…But stay sincere

However, because it is all in a bid simply to “bed” her, ultimately Phil’s tactics don’t work because he’s not being sincere, and she can see through to his ulterior motive. If you click through to watch part 6 in this series, you get to see a lot of face slapping. He comes good in the end, but ONLY when he is sincere.

Takeaway – Listen to your customers BUT don’t compromise the identity of you and your business. If your customers want a service that you don’t offer, don’t feel you have to suddenly do this, especially if it’s not in line with your passion or long term business goals.

So there we go, a short(ish) post today, I hope it’s been enjoyable, and tell me – what’s your favourite duvet film for those grey August evenings?