Mar 28, 2023

In our society, failure is often stigmatized as a negative outcome that should be avoided at all costs. However, as many successful entrepreneurs have proven, failure can actually be a valuable learning opportunity. Moreover, sharing your failures with your customers can be an effective selling strategy that can build trust and authenticity.

When you openly discuss your failures with your customers, you show that you are willing to be transparent and vulnerable. This can humanize your brand and make it more relatable. By admitting that you have made mistakes, you demonstrate that you are willing to take risks and learn from your experiences. This can help you establish a deeper connection with your customers, who may appreciate your honesty and willingness to improve.

One example of a company that has successfully used failure as a selling strategy is Domino's Pizza. In the early 2010s, Domino's faced a lot of criticism for the quality of its pizza. In response, the company launched a campaign called "Oh Yes We Did," in which it admitted that its pizza was not up to par and promised to make it better. The campaign featured ads with customers reading negative comments about the pizza and then showed how the company was working to improve its recipe. The campaign was a huge success, as it helped Domino's to rebrand itself as a company that was committed to quality and customer satisfaction.

Another company that has effectively used failure as a selling strategy is Buffer, a social media management platform. Buffer's CEO, Joel Gascoigne, wrote a blog post in 2013 in which he admitted that the company had made a mistake by focusing too much on growth and not enough on profitability. Gascoigne explained that the company had to lay off a third of its team in order to refocus on its core values. This blog post was widely shared and discussed, as it demonstrated the company's commitment to transparency and its willingness to learn from its mistakes.

In conclusion, sharing your failures with your customers can be a powerful selling strategy that can help you establish trust and authenticity. By admitting your mistakes and showing that you are willing to learn from them, you can demonstrate your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. So, the next time you face a setback, consider sharing it with your customers. You might be surprised at how it can help you to build a stronger relationship with them.