Yesterday I was in Seattle with my wife. We went to the Pike Market (I think that’s what it was called). Anyway, it’s the place where they throw the fish when someone orders one. Pretty fun atmosphere.

But what I noticed was that there were at least 3 of those shops in this market. Two weren’t doing much if any business and one was doing it all. It made me wonder, “what are they doing to get noticed?”

Standing around each of them revealed at least one answer. They all have pretty much the same prime real estate. They each will throw fish and make a show of it all. But why would only one get the business? I think at least one reason was because they made a show whether or not you were buying.

They would all yell in unison anytime an order was made. “7 Pounder” would be called out. All working there would then yell “7 POUNDER”. It was constant. Even if someone didn’t buy something one would call something out and they would all yell the same thing. They were organized, efficient, and entertaining. The other shops just stood there saying “Who’s ready?” I was ready to go watch the show.

Applied: maybe our websites need to be constant…active so that we’re attracting bystanders to come and see what’s going on. Be deliberate and let people know what’s going on. Improve the user experience. Don’t just stand around waiting for them to come…go get them!