I got slimed in Orlando

Remember that scene in Ghostbusters when a “focused, non-terminal, repeating phantasm” (a.k.a. “a class-five full-roaming vapor”) slimes Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray)?

That’s how I felt — like Peter Venkman — when I stepped outside of the well air-conditioned Orlando International Airport yesterday evening.

The heat (90 degrees) and humidity (85%) slimed me (SPLAT!)

I was drenched instantly, dripping in sweat before the glass doors slid shut behind me.

And then I was thirsty — very, very thirsty.

The ride to the hotel didn’t help. The air-conditioner in the car worked (sort of), but it wasn’t enough to cut through the slime or quench my thirst.

By the time I reached the check-in desk at the Hilton Garden Inn, I was panting like Lassie.

Sandra, the friendly check-in clerk, changed everything.

“OK, Mr. Ruwitch, you’re all-checked in,” she said. “You’re in room 437. You’ll find two complimentary bottles of water waiting for you there.”

It was as if Sandra read my mind!

I stumbled to the elevator and up to room 437, and then this…

Two bottles of Florida’s finest bottled H2O.

Was I hallucinating? Was it all a mirage? I grabbed one of the bottles, twisted off the top, and…

…(glug, glug, glug) downed it in record time.

Waves of thirst-quenching, slime-busting relief washed over me. This may have been the best 10 ounces of bottled tap water I ever drank.

I know… I could have arrived in my room, grabbed one of those plastic-wrapped styrofoam cups from beside the coffee machine, and drank gallons of tap water.

But, have you ever tasted the tap water in Orlando? Besides, that’s not the point.

The point is Sandra greeted me — a weary, thirsty traveler — with the gift of water. And they reminded me that I received the gift because I’m a member of their loyalty program.

Sure, it’s a modest gift. They probably buy these bottles by the pallet. Cost per bottle: Less than 15-cents.

Compare that, though, to the pay as you eat/drink mini-bars that greet you in so many hotels.

Crack open that bottle of Fiji water, and you’ll see a $8 charge on your bill. I dare you — I DARE you — to eat that $5 Snicker’s bar.

(Thanks for nothing, mini-bar maker!)

Little gifts — even modest ones — can delight customers and build loyalty…

…which leads to reduced churn, repeat purchases, and referrals…

…which leads to greater profits.

Last week, Joey Colemn (author of “Never Lose a Customer Again”) met with the Mastermind Book Club and shared his system to elevate customer experiences so you achieve the same — less churn and more repeat sales and referrals. Gift-giving is part of the system.

I recorded the meeting which is must-see TV for anyone who wants to land and KEEP customers.

I’ll gift you the video if you want it.

Just reply “focused, non-terminal, repeating phantasm,” and I’ll send you the link.