If you are in business you are probably always looking for ways to attract new customers. If not, shame on you. Don’t be so busy doing business that you are not busy looking for business. If you do not have an updated marketing plan, here are a few ideas that you can use to start developing a new overall marketing strategy. Here are seven ways to attract new customers and keep your pipeline filled.
Start using one new social media site. If you have been spending all of your time on Facebook, it might be time to branch out to Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ or LinkedIn. It all depends on whom you are targeting for business. Figure out where your best target customers spend time online, and go become part of the conversation, too. Share generously and remember content is your currency. Go for the relationship, not the sale right away.
Do more face-to-face networking. It might be surprising, but old fashioned in person networking still works well. Why? Because people do business with people they know. Your goal at any networking event should be to develop 5 quality contacts. Don’t be one of those drive-by networkers trying to give your business card to everyone. Arrive at the event on time for the reception, and have a plan for who you want to meet. Keep in mind, everyone is worth your time. If you build a relationship with someone, you can quite possible turn them into a customer or a referral. You never know who they know or who their brother is in business.
Consider using one of the daily deals sites. Using www.Groupon.com or www.Livingsocial.com is a great way to cultivate qualified leads for a small business. Think of a valuable, but low cost upsell to make the deal work a little better for you financially. Customers don’t usually balk at a $15-$25 foot scrub upgrade with their massage coupon. The cut you will pay to the website service should be considered part of your monthly marketing budget.
Activate Your Unpaid Sales Force. Send out an email blast to your existing customer base asking for referral and offer a 10% or higher commission on any business that is closed. You also want to make sure that your most recent clients hear from with within two weeks of making a purchase. Use the opportunity to check in and make sure they were happy with the service and use the opportunity to ask them for a recommendation on LinkedIn or Yelp depending on what kind of business you have. Be sure to include the link, if you make them search for it they will not do it. People do not have time.
Create a free download offer on your website. Create a special report, white paper, product sample, or a free evaluation so that you can build up your email marketing list. Social media is great, but email converts better than any other form of customer communication. It is also a great way to educate a new customer or demonstrate your expertise.
Give a Free Speech. Organizations are always looking for speakers who do not charge, especially because experts like me charge thousands. I have done my fair share of free speeches and you would be amazed how often I get paid business from them after the fact. You will want to make sure that you only speak in front of audiences of target customers otherwise it could be a waste of time. Always prepare a great leave behind that tells people how to hire you and have special offer at a free speech to upsell attendee your products and services.
Create a web only offer. Do a special promotion for your company that is only available to people who use a special code from the website. Use your email list and social media accounts to promote the sale and drive traffic to the website. If you can, set aside budget to take out Facebook or Linkedin ads to support your campaign.
Do you have any more good ideas to attract new customers?
For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.
Hi Small Biz Lady,
Sponsor a breakfast/lunch! … in exchange for a ten minute presentation on a topic that pains them in their industry or a hot trend of interest. WIIFM! Win-win for both!
Kellye
Thanks Melinda for these tips! As the owner of a fashion deal site, Wear Those Deals, I especially liked using a deal site to attract new customers. It’s been a tough sell for me but the businesses that have taken a chance with us have loved the response they have received and want to do another deal.
Sue
Thanks for the information of a small office business
Thank you Melinda…that informaation is so helpful to me..I’m just starting out with my Avon busiiness and I’m still in the phase of putting myself out there web wise and in person.
Awesome post, Melinda. I like your suggestion of branching out into other social media websites and finding out where your prospective customers spend their time. This could pay off big time.
Thanks for these tips.
This is a helpful list. In addition to the networking techniques you have suggested, merchants could also try “selling” their whitepapers for recommendations, using services such as Pay-With-a-Tweet.
Kind regards,
The eWAY Team
Hi Melinda,
Attracting new customers these days is a little bit tougher. I say it because of the tough competition where experiencing right now. With many people are becoming social which includes your target customers as well as your competitors thus, attracting for new opportunities becomes so limited. These all lies to the marketing strategies your marketing team are using. They must formulate strategies that will be superior from any other.
Thanks for the post 🙂
Julie
surely its a mazing ideas