5 Ways to Get New Customers

There’s a well-known saying in the business world that if you’re not growing, you’re dying.  This axiomatic truism applies to today’s fast paced highly competitive marketplace more than ever.  As a result, it’s imperative to consistently focus on tried and true methods of bringing in new blood to your business.  Here are five ways that you can attract new customers:

Leverage Current Customers

One way to attract new customers to your business is to focus on leveraging your existing customer base.  Make sure to maintain a positive rapport and relationship with your current customers so they will feel more inclined to recommend you to others.  Referrals are one of the best ways to acquire new customers but it requires a proactive approach.  Take charge by implementing a system during the sales cycle that incentivizes your customers to refer you to others.  For example, you could send a follow-up e-mail requesting referrals after your product has been purchased or your service has been provided.

Enhance Your Website/Boost SEO

In today’s digital information age, many customers and B2B buyers find new businesses by searching online.  With the myriad of different websites dotting the digital landscape its more important than ever to find ways to stand out.  Give your website a cosmetic makeover by ensuring design, graphics, content, and imagery is up to date.

While a professionally polished website is clearly conducive to the cause, it will provide little value if there is no incoming traffic.  As a result, you will need to couple your design efforts with a ramping up of organic search results.  There are several different ways you can boost SEO but one of the most effective is to regularly update your site’s content.  In the world of real estate, it’s “location, location, location” while in the world of SEO it’s “content, content, content”.

Use Social Media  

When it comes to attracting new customers, utilizing several different social media platforms is critical.  This strategy allows you to tap into a whole new target audience that serves to supplement your more traditional marketing techniques.  The audiences on social media can vary a lot from site to site, so do your research, find your target market, and go where they are.  Daily deal sites such as Groupon and Living Social should also be considered as research has shown they can add a ton of value to your business.

Online Review Sites

Are you listed on sites that allow customers to post online reviews for all to see?  These sites are widely available and increasingly popular giving your business yet another opportunity to be seen.  Cultivate your reviews and maximize their value by providing links to them on your website.   Encourage your customers to check you out on Yelp or Google and provide incentives for them to give you reviews.  Social validation and reinforcement are powerful tools that make prospects more likely to give you a try.

Networking/Community Events

One formidable way of generating positive word of mouth and enhancing visibility is to participate in both networking organizations (online and offline) and community sponsored events.  Make sure these organizations and events pertain to your industry and your target market.  Go in with the mentality of how you can serve others as opposed to how others can serve you.  All things being held equal, most people prefer to patronize independent locally based businesses.  Raise your company’s awareness and build brand equity by participating in charity events and organizations that are community based.