Can You Create Raving Fans?

This past week I flew from Philly to Los Angles on Virgin America airlines. It was by far the best airline experience I've ever encountered, and I fly frequently.

Not only were the coach seats comfortable, clean and the perfect pitch, there was a happy, accommodating staff, tasty food that I could order from my touch screen anytime, unlimited refrigerated bottled water and the latest entertainment and news on a personal TV/computer in front of my seat. Needless to say, I'll be going out of way to book seats on Virgin whenever possible. They've upped the airline ante and added a new level of service and amenities that are creating a culture of raving fans spreading the word like wildfire. If you do a Google search, you'll see I'm not the only person singing their praises.

Speaking of raving fans, there's a fantastic bakery in Los Angeles called Sprinkles that bakes the most amazing, delicious cupcakes. Once you've tasted one, you'll know what I mean. The cupcakes are so popular, the owner created the world's first after-hours Cupcake ATM. At the cupcake ATM you can get freshly baked cupcakes 24/7. Sprinkle's legion of raving fans is so great there’s always a line outside the Cupcake ATM.

These days, being ordinary and just doing what is expected isn't good enough. In the promotional products industry, where products and prices and similar, daring to be different, unique and unexpected like Virgin America or Sprinkle's Cupcakes is what will create raving fans and increased revenues. My question for you this week is: What are you doing that is innovative, unique or unexpected that will inspire raving fans and increase your business? What suppliers or distributors are upping the ante and changing the game? Please comment below.