Running an ethical and sustainable business is not just about what happens behind the scenes, but it’s about making sure that you are able to cultivate that sense of environmental consciousness with your customers. We all need to show our customers what we are doing to be more environmentally friendly, but how can you go one step further and actively encourage them to be more sustainable without coming across as pushy? Let’s show you some strategies that you can use to inspire eco-friendliness in your customers.
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Show Them How Easy It Is to Be Sustainable
Customers don’t want to be told how to do things, but they also don’t want to buy anything from you until you show them how the product or service fits into their life. We need to show customers how easy it is to be sustainable through basic practices. It’s important to be persistent, but also patient in our efforts to create a consistent message. In doing so, explore innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
This is why we should show them what we are doing to be more sustainable, and maybe a little bit of the message can rub off on them over time. If you are looking to reduce your paper usage, it’s very simple; you can get a contactless card reader and this is a very good lesson in showing customers how easy it is to avoid using paper for transactions. It’s a very simple thing, but is one of many that you can use.
Lead by Example
If you want to encourage your customers to be environmentally friendly, you’ve got to start by setting that positive example. You can showcase how you are committed to sustainability through visible actions such as the aforementioned reduction of paper, but also through other approaches like reducing waste, adopting energy-efficient practices, and using eco-friendly packaging.
If your customers see that you are dedicated to the environment, it’s more likely they will follow suit. There is a reason they bought from you in the first place, whether it’s because you’ve offered a cheap product or they like how you go about things, and this is why it’s so important to lead by example, just to let that message trickle through gradually.
Educate, Don’t Dictate
Instead of telling customers what you need to do, you have to educate them gradually about the impact of their choices. For example, you can share information on your website about the benefits of having eco-friendly practices in their lives.
Something like reducing carbon footprint is easily done, but other ways to preserve natural habitats or conserve resources can be a part of your messaging. Informative posters or pamphlets in your store on your website can be a part of the messaging. Think about tying this in with environmentally themed holidays, because that way it won’t look like you are constantly pushing the message but are merely aligning with a worthwhile cause that you believe in.
Create Incentives
We can incentivize our customers in many different ways. We want them to sign up for our business services, but we need to look at how we can reward customers for making their journey toward sustainability. Eco-friendly behaviors can be incentivized by discounts or rewards.
For example, a loyalty program where a customer can receive a discount or points if they choose one of your eco-friendly services, such as using reusable bags or eco-friendly packaging. This will encourage eco-conscious actions, but will also go a long way to preserve and nurture that sense of customer loyalty.
Support Local and Sustainable Suppliers
If you can make sure that you source products from local or sustainable suppliers and highlight how these partnerships are helping you create a better business. Lots of people believe that looking after the environment is merely a box-ticking exercise, but if you want to really showcase how committed you are to ethical sourcing and how you’d like your customers to do the same, it’s about making sure that the entire message is solid.
For example, if you are using contactless approaches, you can highlight how this contactless card reader comes from a responsible manufacturer. It’s worth thinking about different ways to start a conversation with a customer, and having a sustainable or local supplier can certainly get that ball rolling.
If you want to be a more environmentally friendly business, it’s critical to start thinking about the message you give to your customers. Being an ethical and sustainable business is only one facet of conducting your affairs, but you need to encourage your customers to follow suit.
