There are many ways to get new customers, but not all of them are created equal. Where to start is sometimes a challenge as there are so many options. We sometimes get lost in the business landscape and lose out versus our old friend time, so hopefully you can get a headstart and manage him a little better.
Here are 11 great ways to get new customers:
1. Use social media. Social media is a great way to connect with potential customers. Use it to create a strong online presence for your business and interact with potential customers regularly. Facebook (Meta), instagram, pinterest
2. Host events. Events are a great way to get potential customers interested in your business. Invite people to come check out what you have to offer and give them a taste of what your business is all about.
3. Make sure your website is up to par. Your website is often the first impression potential customers will have of your business, so make sure it’s a good one! Make sure your site is well-designed, easy to navigate, and contains clear and concise information about your products or services.
4. Advertise. Advertising can be a great way to reach new customers. But don’t just rely on traditional methods like print ads or TV media – think outside the box. Use creative methods like guerilla marketing or sponsored content to reach potential customers in new and interesting ways. Hire a freelancer to help get a better understanding one where you can reach your target audience.
5. Attend trade shows and networking events. Getting out there and meeting people in person is still one of the best ways to make connections and attract new customers. Attend trade shows and networking events that are relevant to your industry so you can meet potential customers and business partners.
6. Offer discounts and coupons. Offering discounts and coupons is a great way to attract new customers. Consider offering a discount to first-time customers or running a promotion for a limited time only. Use QR codes, customers can scan and sign up to your service. Keep them coming back for more. Collect the emails, contact details and keep them engaged.
7. Make it easy for customers to find you online. Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to make sure your website appears as high as possible in search engine results. This will make it easier for potential customers to find you when they’re searching for businesses like yours online. This is not a easy area to learn so again if your knowledge is not up to par, then hire a freelance expert to help your website get found on the searches.
8. Get involved in your community. Getting involved in your local community is a great way to connect with potential customers. Attend community events, sponsor a local team or charity, or volunteer your time to a worthy cause.
9. Use online reviews to your advantage. Does your business get online reviews from customers? Cultivate your reviews and make the most of them. Link to reviews on your website and post signage in your location urging customers to check you out on Yelp, Trustpilot, Google, etc (or wherever the reviews are). Social proof is powerful, so is the trust element and new customers are more likely to give your business a try if they see others praising it. Even if you get a not so good review, respond back by acknowledging the experience and try and repair the challenge directly with the customer. This shows you have good customer service and are willing to improve and learn from the mistakes.
10. Ask for referrals. Referrals are one of the best ways to get new customers—but if you sit back and wait for your current customers to refer their friends and family members to you, you could be waiting a long time. Take charge by implementing a system for actively gaining referrals from your satisfied customers. Build referral-generating activity into the sales process. For example, send a follow-up email asking for a referral after a customer has received their order from your e-commerce site. Have your B2B salespeople ask for referrals when they follow up with customers to answer questions after the sale.
11. Re-contact old customers. Everything old can be new again—including old customers who haven’t done business with you in a while. Go through your customer contacts on a regular basis and, after six months or a year without an interaction or purchase, reach out to dormant customers with a special offer via email, direct mail or phone. They’ll be glad you remembered them and want to win them back. Keep the communication flowing.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to attracting new customers and growing your business.