and I Have Got to Have You Now
It’s you.
I knew all along you were out there. Somewhere.
Before today, I thought about what you might be like. I wondered.
Tell the truth, I even Googled you. (Well, I Yahooed you, but you’d don’t seem to mind that I’m quirky like that!)
I found out all about you—and everyone who thinks they’re like you. I was kind of overwhelmed. There are a lot out there who think they’re like you. But on the day when it really counts, when the pain is strongest…
I have needs and there’s no one but you who can help me.
It’s not that you’re the only one in the world. I read up. I haven’t forgotten those others, and well, maybe in some ways I even prefer one of the other guys. Still, I want you in all the ways that count.
You are the only one in the world for me because:
- You’re in the right location: you’re here, with me
- or you popped up first-second-third on the Internet when I typed in a question about my needs
- You take it easy, and you never sound desperate for me
- You let me explain myself; I can tell it’s not going to be all about you with you
- You’re stylish
- You’re just my size
- You’re so fresh
- or you’re so comfortable and traditional
- You’re ready now (not everyone is!)
- You’re so exclusive there’s an aura about associating with you
- or you’re cheap and almost inevitable
- You’re in it for the long haul. You won’t let me down.
Most of all, you understand my needs. You look me right in the eye, and you talk about my deepest, darkest cravings as if you’ve made a study of me. You’re so smart I bet you have made a study of me.
Never believe that you’re not unique just because of those other guys.
You can be one of a million, or (you know what I always say)…
Find the ways you can speak only to my needs, those ways that no one else is even trying to. Be one *in* a million.
I’m your Ideal (Customer). There’s only one of me.
I’m wishing and hoping in ways I didn’t know I could, since I learned about you. There’s a hole in my heart. And you’re the only one I need.
Are you still playing the field? Or are you ready to be The Only Solution for the one Ideal Customer that only you can satisfy?
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
P.S. You might as well know it now. Sometimes I look at things a bit more negatively. Don’t worry, though, because you and I—we’re going to have a happy ending.












1 December 2009, 6:27 am
Ahh, I like love letters. Romance, fluttering eyelashes, a faint blush… What a perfect thought to wake up to this morning.
And what a unique way to write about how small businesses need to woo their clientele.
(I think I pass, heh!)
James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s latest blog… Are You Too Tough With Your Website Copy?
1 December 2009, 6:45 am
James,
Ah, yes. You are one in a million. Easygoing, fresh, with your own style, solving real problems, and you’re in it for the long haul.
I’m sure you pass!
Regards,
Kelly
1 December 2009, 8:51 am
I’ve been getting closer to finding that one person. In fact I’ve figured out who it is, but the challenge is that this person doesn’t know he or she is the person I’m looking for so I don’t know what language to use to woo without scaring him/her off…
Alex Fayle ¡ Someday Syndrome´s latest blog… Someday I’ll Be Happy: How Live Beyond Just Getting By
1 December 2009, 11:42 am
the greatest businesses always make their clients feel like they are the only very best most special one. Its a knack.
Exceptional service and a narrow target market. you need both.
Beautiful post Kelly, a delight to read!
1 December 2009, 2:02 pm
Alex,
It’s not who *you’re* looking for. The buyer is Ideal, if *they’re* looking for you. (And I don’t mean looking for Alex, but looking for what Alex has to offer.) Otherwise they’re just wouldn’t-that-be-nice, not ideal. See what I mean?
Wendi,
“The only very best most special.” I love that phrasing.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the post.
Until later,
Kelly
1 December 2009, 10:32 pm
You wrote this for me, yes? I know you did… LOL. And for everyone like me.
I love what you answered to Alex, that’s a real change from the normal way of looking at it – it’s not us looking for them, it’s about them looking for us.
Thanks.
Melinda | WAHM Biz Builder´s latest blog… Imagine Slowing Down and Getting More Done
2 December 2009, 7:20 am
Melinda,
I can not tell a lie:
This was written for someone else.
As always, I hope it’s not too obvious, so it helps anywhere it can. Glad you liked it!
Until later,
Kelly
3 December 2009, 3:22 pm
I’ve been searching myself for months on this topic (at your suggestion, Kelly)… and this morning it came together for me. I’m not a photographer anymore, I’m “The Seeker’s Photographer,” or some such phrasing of that idea.
Once I saw it, it was actually easy to commit to this ideal customer because it’s simply who I am. I’m a seeker. I love truth. I’m a sucker for wisdom. It pervades everything I do, and everything I photograph. And I can get specific.
My business now is going to revolve around this love of mine because I know my ideal customer loves it too. It’s going to be easy to find out everything about my customer.
You can have those other customers now. I’m taken!
Todd Smith´s latest blog… I Like Old Cars – They’re Awefully Photogenic!
3 December 2009, 5:54 pm
*nudges Todd further*
Okay, seekers… or as I said of your work the other day, “How can photos of nature capture so much human emotion?”
So yes, you’re speaking to someone who appreciates this aspect of your art, your ability to make them think and feel, not just see, what you capture with your lens… to me there’s no doubt that you’re defining you better, which means getting closer to one in a million…
But where are those needs you’re speaking to? Who needs this and wants to pay for it?
Or, put another way, how can you get in front of the person who wants to be moved in this way, at the moment when her dollars are about to fly out of her pocket toward somebody? Where is she looking for you?
Make sure it’s you who’s standing there, ready to catch the flying dollars.
It’s time to take this further. See you at tomorrow’s post!
Until later,
Kelly
3 December 2009, 11:10 pm
ok,i’m looking forward to your next post.
Todd Smith´s latest blog… I Like Old Cars – They’re Awefully Photogenic!
17 December 2009, 1:11 pm
I’m not there yet, but it’s only been just over a year for my little business.
Great post, though. Lots to think about.
Jennifer Moore´s latest blog… Poetry: "Purple"
18 December 2009, 3:29 pm
Jennifer,
Thanks, and welcome to Maximum Customer Experience. Glad you enjoyed the post—and good luck on your young business!
Regards,
Kelly