The COST of a Raving Fan

This post is quite specifically not about the Value of a Raving Fan.  I think the Value of a Raving fan has been pretty well documented.  The Raving Fan is willing to pay a little more.  (Simon Synek would say they get your ‘Why”).  They are willing to share your message for nothing in return.  They enthusiastically shout down your detractors (and everyone has them) when they come across them.  They send you subtle referrals just by speaking highly of you in a crowd.

The Value of a Raving Fan is tough to quantify, but nearly everyone would agree that it’s there.

But what is the COST of losing that voice?  What is the penalty for turning them away?  What price do we pay when we let them down, de-value them or simply let our ego get in the way of appreciating them?  What happens when that voice goes away?

It’s even tougher to put a number on that COST.  But just because you can’t put a number on it, doesn’t mean that cost doesn’t exist.