be your customers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be your customers" is not correct in standard written English as it lacks clarity and context.
It could be used in a context where you are discussing the importance of understanding or empathizing with your customers' needs or experiences. Example: "To improve our service, we need to think like our customers and truly be your customers."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Who will be your customers in the future?

Harvard Business Review

In short, these followers want to be your customers, they just can't afford it right now.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Who will be your customers?

Forbes

Question: Who are going to be your customers?

TechCrunch

If your customers don't trust you, they won't be your customers for long.

Forbes

Some 30 million buyers on the marketplace platform could potentially be your customers.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Who are your customers?

The New York Times - Magazine

They are your customers.

The New York Times

Who are your customers, one person wanted to know.

The New York Times

It turns out it's your customers you should be obsessed with, not your competitors.

The New Yorker

They're your customers.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "be your customers", focus on demonstrating empathy and understanding their needs. For example, phrase as "Understand your customers' perspectives".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "be your customers" as it's grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear subject or action. Instead, focus on actions you take to understand or attract customers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be your customers" functions as an inquiry into identifying potential clientele, but is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard English. Its usage often appears in questions seeking to define or understand a business's target audience, as shown in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be your customers" is identified by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect. While there are some examples of its use, they typically appear in questions or conditional statements. More appropriate and grammatically correct alternatives include "Who are your customers?", or action-oriented phrases like "acquire customers". When discussing business strategies, it's crucial to use precise language for clarity. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its attempt at professional usage despite its grammatical issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire customers

Focuses on the action of gaining customers, rather than their state.

attract clients

Emphasizes drawing in clients with a specific appeal.

secure patronage

Highlights obtaining support, often in a recurring manner.

win over consumers

Focuses on persuading consumers to choose your product.

gain market share

Shifts the focus to increasing the portion of the market controlled.

expand customer base

Highlights growth in the number of customers.

cultivate clientele

Implies careful nurturing of customer relationships.

foster customer loyalty

Focuses on developing long-term dedication from customers.

develop relationships with consumers

Highlights building ongoing interactions with consumers.

understand customer needs

Emphasizes the importance of knowing and addressing customer requirements.

FAQs

How to correctly ask about a company's target demographic?

Instead of asking something like "Who will "be your customers"?", use clearer phrasing such as "Who is your target demographic?" or "Which customer segment are you focusing on?". These questions clearly solicit information about the intended audience.

What is a grammatically sound alternative to "be your customers"?

While "be your customers" is grammatically incorrect, you can use alternatives like "acquire customers", "attract clients", or "understand customer needs" to convey related meanings with better clarity.

How can I show empathy without saying "be your customers"?

To express empathy, focus on understanding and addressing customer needs. Instead of using the phrase "be your customers", consider phrases like "understand your customers' perspectives" or "prioritize customer satisfaction".

Is "be your customers" ever appropriate in business communication?

No, "be your customers" is generally not appropriate for business communication due to its lack of grammatical correctness. Focus on clearer and more direct phrasing to avoid confusion.