In this time of new beginnings, marking the expanding return of people to life as “we used to know it,” focus attention on how to reconnect with those phantom patrons who used to frequent your business. For months we have been creative in offering protected services, trying to reach people in new ways to stay alive, but as things “normal” this year, you need to “reconnect” with past customers. Think of this as wooing your peeps, and it’s not unlike personal courtship.

Think about wooing someone in life. You dress nicely. You think about ways to attract or please someone you want to meet. You do things together. You talk. You talk a lot. You may have taken for granted your past relationship with customers because the way we did business was codified into a certain transactional way of coming and receiving services, but this is 2021. Times, they have been achangin’.

How can we do that?

1. Consider the Chamber’s ribbon cutting and schedule a time to “repurpose” your image into one inviting patrons into your store once again.

• Think about new ways to portray yourself. This month we’ll focus on various media to assist in getting your repurposed image out there, but you need to create that 2021 persona. You don’t need to revamp your business, just the way you present it to others. For example, your products are the same, but people need them in a different way than before.

• How is your business more vital today than it was a year ago? That’s your message. You have something people need. Tell them about it!

Connecting with customers begins with knowing you who are and figuring out how to present yourself. Professionals call it branding, but let’s get very basic here. Before you have a brand, you have yourself and your business. Redefine yourself and your business. Complete this sentence, “I …. and we ….” Crystallize your business into a small gem that’s easy to wear and share. Then think of a branding slogan or image that defines you…but never put the cart before the horse.

A review of the literature suggests several ways to redefine yourself. Forbes suggests that mental health is a huge new concept in the world of business. Your customers need you because you offer them…. Fill in the blank with a way you make them feel more secure, prepare them for an unknown future, or fill their needs.

Take advantage of being local. 73% of consumers want to patronize small business, but sometimes they just don’t know how to get what they want from a small, local retailer. Ask questions. Offer procurement. Be the solution to their problems. You’ll find a population out there ready to embrace you, but you need to take a first step in defining yourself for them.

Beef up your online presence. You don’t have to become an online provider of goods as much as you need to reach your peeps online.Entrepreneur suggests that digital relationships are every bit as important as physical handshakes. Yes, you have a storefront and you want to woo your peeps back into the store, but your peeps will forever look at doing business in a new way, and that includes an online presence.

As this month progresses, we will look in depth at blogging, digital content and how to win old customers. It begins with relationships, telling stories, projecting yourself, wooing your peeps back into the fold. Your fold.