3.63 Gigawatts of Blog Power!
8/26/2016
Hopefully by now, you’ve seen the 1980’s movie, Back to the Future! If not, GO watch it! Please take the time, I don’t mind, better promise me, you’ll go back in time to watch it!
Okay, you're back! Everyone's watched the film now? Good! So in the movie, Doc Brown gets hysterical when he hears his recorded self tell Marty that they’ll need 1.21 gigawatts of electricity to power up the flux capacitor which is what makes time travel possible. So what's a gigawatt and how is that relevant to you? And how on Earth did we come up with 3.63 gigawatts? Let's find out!
Okay, you're back! Everyone's watched the film now? Good! So in the movie, Doc Brown gets hysterical when he hears his recorded self tell Marty that they’ll need 1.21 gigawatts of electricity to power up the flux capacitor which is what makes time travel possible. So what's a gigawatt and how is that relevant to you? And how on Earth did we come up with 3.63 gigawatts? Let's find out!
No no, I’m not talking about the 1.21 gigawatt drink here…although it does sound good! Turns out that a gigawatt is equal to one billion (10 9) watts or 1 gigawatt = 1000 megawatts. Now one may say that number is too scary to even think about because it’s too large and they don’t have time to do the math. Let’s face it, numbers can be scary; just ask some of your potential customers or go back in time and ask my former high school self! HA!
That’s right, just like Doc Brown, "some" customers can get hysterical when you send them your initial project quote for the 1st time and they believe that your Quote figures are too high for their business. So how, as a business, do you handle those types of customers? Do you get mad? Do they have point? Let's look at 3 Simple Steps to take when writing/submitting a quote to a customer.
1) A Price Quote is a Call to Action
This formal document is your pricing for a job or order and gives your customers a clear work cost. So prepare precise descriptions of the services you offer. No Hidden Costs. Be specific and to the point with everything that you are offering. Be honest, but DO NOT over promise things you can’t not full-fill. Lastly, assure your customers that your company is legit and highly rated in your industry. Who knows, maybe this will be the start of a brand new relationship... in turn, making them ambassadors to your brand.
2) Include a Surprise / Bonus in your Quote
Let’s face it, people like bonuses. I know I do! If you provide a little something extra in your quote (like an additional service or giveaway) that your customers were not expecting, it will help build positive emotions towards your brand…thus making the customers feel appreciated that you’re going the extra mile from what was originally discussed. Be unique, but keep in mind to target the customers business appropriately and thoughtfully. A little research goes a Long Way!
3) The FAQ Hot Zone
Personally, I’ve never met a customer that didn’t have a question or two after a quote has been submitted. This is generally where your customers are either having second doubts (if you've quoted fairly, this won't be the case) or they're just needing more information about your Quote. Steve Jobs once said, “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected”. In other words, no matter the situation that will arise, your goal is to be professional, levelheaded and believe that you are offering an excellent service that is built on quality, but with a fair value.
There you have it; a Call to Action, a Surprise and the FAQ Hot Zone. These are just 3 Steps (a few of) that my company, “Option 3 Media” tries to implement for every customer that we deal with. I’ll let you in on a little secret, by treating our customers openly, honestly and with a smile at all times…most of our customers have become close friends over the years. And that’s how we took Doc Brown’s 1.21 gigawatts of power…we multiplied it by 3! See you on the other side my friends!
Ryan Robinson
Owner / Creative Exec. Producer
Option 3 Media
1) A Price Quote is a Call to Action
This formal document is your pricing for a job or order and gives your customers a clear work cost. So prepare precise descriptions of the services you offer. No Hidden Costs. Be specific and to the point with everything that you are offering. Be honest, but DO NOT over promise things you can’t not full-fill. Lastly, assure your customers that your company is legit and highly rated in your industry. Who knows, maybe this will be the start of a brand new relationship... in turn, making them ambassadors to your brand.
2) Include a Surprise / Bonus in your Quote
Let’s face it, people like bonuses. I know I do! If you provide a little something extra in your quote (like an additional service or giveaway) that your customers were not expecting, it will help build positive emotions towards your brand…thus making the customers feel appreciated that you’re going the extra mile from what was originally discussed. Be unique, but keep in mind to target the customers business appropriately and thoughtfully. A little research goes a Long Way!
3) The FAQ Hot Zone
Personally, I’ve never met a customer that didn’t have a question or two after a quote has been submitted. This is generally where your customers are either having second doubts (if you've quoted fairly, this won't be the case) or they're just needing more information about your Quote. Steve Jobs once said, “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected”. In other words, no matter the situation that will arise, your goal is to be professional, levelheaded and believe that you are offering an excellent service that is built on quality, but with a fair value.
There you have it; a Call to Action, a Surprise and the FAQ Hot Zone. These are just 3 Steps (a few of) that my company, “Option 3 Media” tries to implement for every customer that we deal with. I’ll let you in on a little secret, by treating our customers openly, honestly and with a smile at all times…most of our customers have become close friends over the years. And that’s how we took Doc Brown’s 1.21 gigawatts of power…we multiplied it by 3! See you on the other side my friends!
Ryan Robinson
Owner / Creative Exec. Producer
Option 3 Media