Attracting New Customers

 

Debra Lee, Biz Coach & Life Coach

Most small businesses are looking to increase their customer base. If you're one of them, here are 10 tried-and-true tips to help you attract more customers. Strategies to attract new customers to your business: 1. Offer new customers discounts and promotions Consumers today are still looking for value and deals. Lure them into your business by offering introductory discounts, running specials such as buy 2, get 1 at half price, or offering free gift wrapping on the first 3 purchases. Bargains like these can attract new customers who have been considering doing business with you but need an incentive to change their shopping habits. Then track what they buy, and which offers they redeemed, so you can better target them with future marketing messages that will cement their loyalty. 2. Ask for referrals Once you've earned a customer’s loyalty, put it to work by asking for referrals. Current customers are one of the best sources of new customers. But you can’t be passive and wait for them to bring colleagues, friends, and family to your business. Instead, take control and create a systemized approach to actively solicit referrals from your satisfied customers. Build referral-generating activities into the sales process. Send follow-up emails to ensure customers are satisfied with their purchases and then follow up with another email asking for referrals. Consider offering incentives if the sale price warrants it. This approach works well for real estate agents, for example. 3. Recontact old customers Go back to your lapsed customers' contact list and market to those who haven’t done business with you for a while. Create a regular schedule for this, such as quarterly, and select customers you haven’t seen in six months. Reach out to them via email, direct mail, text, or phone with a “We miss you" message, offering a deal or promotion if they’ll come back. 4. Network There’s no better way to raise brand awareness than meeting new people and telling them who you are and what you do. Join your trade association, your local Chamber, and networking organizations. Attend Meetup events. If you own a local business, even attending PTA meetings can be a good networking opportunity. Approach networking with a “How can I help you?” attitude, rather than thinking, “What’s in it for me?” 5. Update your website Online search is the primary way both consumers and B2B buyers find new businesses. That means your website has to do the heavy lifting so customers can find you. Review your search engine marketing and search engine optimization tactics and techniques, including ensuring your site is mobile-friendly. Even your site design makes a difference. Too many graphics can slow your site’s load speed, which is a turnoff for customers. If you don’t have the expertise in-house, hire a website design company and/or an SEO expert to help. 6. Partner with complementary businesses Teaming up with businesses that have a similar customer base but aren’t direct competitors and then strategizing how you can market to one another’s customers to drive new business is a smart way to attract new customers without spending a fortune. For instance, if you sell baby products, working with a business that sells maternity clothes would be a great partnership. 7. Promote your expertise You can generate interest and even create buzz by showcasing your industry expertise, attracting new customers, and driving more business from your existing client base. Volunteering to speak on industry panels, giving a webinar or workshop, speaking at industry events or to groups your target customers belong to, or holding educational sessions are just a few ways you can make a good impression on potential new customers and clients. This technique works particularly well for B2B business owners.   8. Take advantage of online ratings and review sites Consumers in both the B2B and B2C worlds frequently turn to online rating and review sites before doing business with a company they are not familiar with. Make sure you monitor those sites and respond to any complaints. Make the most of positive reviews by linking to them on your website. Post signage in your store, office, restaurant, or other location encouraging customers to share their perspectives. Social proof is powerful, and new customers are more likely to give your business a try if they see others praising it. 9. Participate in community events. Surveys show that most people prefer to support local, independent businesses. Raise your profile in your community by participating in charity events and organizations. Sponsor a local fun run, organize a holiday “toys for kids” drive, or supply a Little League team in your city with equipment. All of this raises your profile and helps attract new customers. 10. Bring a friend This idea is similar to referrals but requires customer participation. Offer 2-for-1, “buy one, get one free,” or “bring a friend” deals to encourage your loyal customers to introduce their friends and colleagues to your business. For instance, a restaurant could offer a “buy one entrée, get a second for free” special to attract more customers. Brainstorm ways to get new customers. Think of these strategies as a starter list. Add your own ideas. The key is to get started now, so when next year rolls around, you’ve expanded your customer base. DLBizServices.com   #customers #newcustomers #bizcoach #lifecoach #strategies Extra Resource: Rieva Lesonsky