New customers can make all the difference to how well your business grows. Here tips on what you can do to find new customers:
Set a goal.
It’s important to set a goal so you can measure your efforts later on. Perhaps you’d like to increase the number of new visitors you bring to your website, or to your physical store. Either way, put an actual number on your goal. This may feel like guessing at first but with time and experience you’ll get better at it.
Decide on your target audience.
Before you start, it’s a good idea to make sure you know who your target audience is. Who is your ideal customer? Who are your best customers are right now, which of them return to your business to become repeat clients? What do they have in common? This will help you develop an accurate picture of who your target audience is.
Improve your website.
Make sure your website is perfect and ready to bring likely customers to your website, where they can learn more about your business and possibly even place an order. Provide information they want and need. Give your website a once-over to make sure that the design, content, graphics and SEO are up to date. Be the expert.
Get active on social media.
Once you know you have great content that will appeal to your potential customers, consider where your customers are and which social networks they use. Repost the same messages across all the networks your customers spend time on.
Ask for referrals.
Referrals are one of the best ways to get potential customers. Take charge by implementing a system for actively soliciting 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.
Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only.
Introductory offers can attract customers in your door by providing a low-risk way to try your products or services. Track which visitors redeem the special offer, then target them with marketing message encouraging and enticing them to keep buying from you.
Use online reviews to your advantage.
Does your business get online reviews from clients? 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 Google or Yelp, (or wherever the reviews are). Potential clients are more likely to give your business a try if they see others praising it.
Customers will come and go, but the goal is to grow your customer base gradually. The sooner you start the better. Just remember to set a goal, try something, measure the results and keep adapting. Remember persistence pays off.