The key to success for any small business is maintaining your flow of new customers. Finding new customers is essential for any business to survive. There are a number of ways to bring in new business, and the key is to find the ones that work best for your business.
Here are some tips on how to bring in new customers for your business.
Ask for referrals. Sometimes, the most-effective way to get new business is by reaching out to your existing customers for referrals. Referrals are one of the best ways (and my personal favorite) to get new customers. People love to share their experiences with other people. Therefore, it’s up to you as a business owner to take charge by implementing a system for actively soliciting referrals from your satisfied customers.
Build referrals into your sales process. For example, ask for a referral from your customer as part of the follow-up process. Take it a step further by asking your customer if they mind letting their contact know that you will be reaching out. This will almost certainly lead to an initial conversation with a potential new customer. Make sure your teams, including your B2B salespeople, ask for referrals when they follow up with customers to answer questions after the sale.
Network. Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful forms of advertising as it’s generated by people talking directly with each other. Join relevant networking organizations and events to share your knowledge about your products or services.
Approach networking with the attitude, “How can I help others?” rather than “What’s in it for me?” By thinking about how you can be of service, you’ll build long-lasting relationships that lead to new customers
. Local Chamber of Commerce
· BNI – Business Network International
· SCORE
· Entrepreneurs’ Organization
· Young Entrepreneurs Council
· American Marketing Association
· Rotary Club
Keep your website fresh. The internet has revolutionized how customers find businesses for their products and services. This is a significant factor in growing your business. Between search engines and social media, it’s easier than ever to cross paths with a customer looking for your product or service — which means your website may need updating. Your website is the first impression to prospective customers, so it’s essential that you have an up-to-date design and SEO. If this isn’t your forte, consider enlisting professional help from a company specializing in these areas of expertise.
Re-contact old customers (6-month touchpoint). Make sure you review your customer contacts regularly. After six months without interaction, reach out to your dormant customers with a promotional offer that will “win them back” with a special offer via email, direct mail, or phone. They’ll be glad you remembered them and want to win them back. For example, I created a program years ago called “Rediscover – The Washington Post – and Save.” This program offered limited-time discounts to past partners who wanted to start advertising with our newspaper again. The program was a huge success in bringing back some of our past customers.
Offer discounts and incentives to new customers only. Introductory offers are a simple way to lure in curious customers with low-risk ways of trying out your products or services. Track which ones redeem your special offers, then target them for marketing messages that encourage repeat purchases.
Partner with complementary businesses. Collaborate and partner with other businesses to form strong partnerships. Partnering can effectively target complementary customer bases that are not directly competitive and brainstorm how you might drive new business for each other’s companies to achieve success.
Promote your expertise. Generate interest—and new customers—by publicizing your expertise in a specific industry. You could participate in panels, hold educational sessions or workshops for potential clients within this field of work (or even attend their events), let people know about all the great things you do that pertain specifically to them.
Use online reviews to your advantage. Have you ever asked your customers to leave a review for the business online? When it comes to your reviews, you should take advantage of the opportunity they provide for building awareness and getting new customers. Cultivate your reviews by posting on social media or linking from other sites; show off what others are saying about how great your business is and build trust with potential clients who may not have heard before now!
Participate in community events. One of the most effective ways to grow your small business is by participating in local events. All else being equal, most people like supporting independent businesses that they know and love. Raise your profile within your community through charity work or volunteering with organizations such as SCORE or by getting involved with your local chamber.
Bring a friend. Offer 2-for-1, “buy one, get one free” or “bring a friend” deals to get your “regulars” to introduce new customers to your business.
With all the opportunities out there to bring in new customers, you should be able to find the right strategy that fits your business and budget. If none of these ideas seem like they will work for you, let us know, and we will help you work on a marketing plan to help you drive more traffic into your store. Our team is always happy to brainstorm some fresh ideas with you!