The Reason Why A Contact List Is the Lifeblood of Your Business
The Reason Why A Contact List Is the Lifeblood of Your Business
The 4 Types of Business Owners – Which One Are You?
There are four types of business owners when it comes to handling customer contact information.
A – The business owner who lets customers walk away without collecting their contact info. They may have loved your store, but once they leave, you have no way to reach them again. No way to remind them why they should come back.
B – The business owner who collects contact info from anyone who walks in, whether they buy or not… then does nothing with that list. They have a goldmine of potential repeat customers, but it just sits there, unused.
C – The business owner who collects contact info and then bombards their customers with promo after promo. They think they’re marketing, but in reality, they’re annoying their list until people opt out, tuning them out completely.
D – The business owner who collects contact info and understands that marketing is about relationships. They use their list strategically—not just to sell, but to provide value first. They send useful tips, exclusive perks, and engaging content so that when they finally make an offer, customers don’t just accept it—they feel compelled to say yes.
If you want to be D, you need to build a list the right way. That starts with a “can’t refuse” free offer—something the customer actually receives in exchange for their contact info. Not a contest. Not a giveaway where they might win. Not a BOGO that still requires them to spend.
It needs to be a real, tangible offer.
✅ A free appetizer or drink for food spots.
✅ A free mini dessert or sample—no purchase necessary.
✅ A free $5 store credit to use on anything.
✅ A free small product or service that introduces them to your brand.
This isn’t about bribing customers—it’s about giving them a reason to stay connected with you. But here’s where most business owners get it wrong.
We can’t just spam them with promotions. If all you do is push sales, people stop listening.
In Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, Gary Vaynerchuk explains that marketing is about giving, giving, giving—so that when you finally ask for something, your customers feel inclined to give back.
That means mixing in valuable content:
🎯 Pro tips, behind-the-scenes content, or fun facts.
🎯 VIP early access to new menu items or products.
🎯 Birthday rewards or special “just because” surprises.
When you give more than you ask, people trust you. And when it’s time to run a promotion, they actually want to take action.
This is how you create loyal customers who don’t just visit once but come back again and again. Let’s set this up for you. A simple opt-in system and a well-planned strategy can start bringing in repeat customers this week.
The only question is—are you ready to do business like a Type “D” owner?
Thank you,
— Esteban Nina
👑 EsteCam Marketing Agency
