You need raving fans.

My grandfather is a retired sportscaster. He’s done a lot in the sports world – from doing the play-by-play at the Baseball Hall of Fame Games, to being the ring announcer at some major boxing fights, to some commentating on during the Olympics.

So when b5 media (the folks that host this blog) told me that today’s theme is about sports (which I know very little about!), I approached my 86-year old grandfather for some advice.

I asked him how he thought I could relate a start-up business owner to sports theme. What do they have in common?

His answer, “In order to succeed – no matter what the sport, no matter what the business – you need raving fans.”

Makes sense… It’s these fans who will help you build your business, by remaining loyal and referring others to you.

And according to my grandfather, it’s about the experience, not the slick packaging that makes the difference.

Think of it this way:

At the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, new inductees and old timers give out autographs. Sure, the autograph is of value, but the people who walk away as raving fans are the ones who had an experience with the baseball icon – whether a quick conversation or a handshake.

It’s the experience that makes the difference.

So what’s the experience that your going to offer your customers to make them raving fans?