Not too long ago, Andy Servonitz (of the blog Damn, I Wish I’d Though of That!) wrote about his kids’ dedication to their Crayola markers. He said they would only use a certain type of Crayola markers because they came in a special plastic “marker house.”
Thus, the conclusion was that “it’s the extras that make it special.” It wasn’t the quality or color of the markers that made them better than the rest; it was the plastic, transportable case that came with them.
This made me think of a few businesses that I go to because of the extras.
Popcorn cart at Lozano's
Lozano’s Car Wash in Mountain View, CA: Not only can you watch from behind a glass panel as your car is cleaned, but you can enjoy free popcorn and lemonade too!
Gramma’s Pizza in Sonoma, CA: First of all, their pizza crust is amazing. But even better is that they deliver to the farthest corners of town, bring dog treats for your dogs and even offer beer and wine delivery.
“Merv’s” in Mountain View, CA: This place is a complete dive bar, but inside you’ll find friendly bartenders and in case you’re hungry, a table full of free food. Food varies from donuts to Chinese food to anything else the bartender picks up that day.
Bottom line: Make your business stand out. Offer a little something extra that your competitors don’t. Trust me, your customers will notice and it will pay off!
