So you’ve started a business and built a steady stream of clients. You’ve cultivated a professional relationship with your clients so that they will keep coming back to you. But if you think you can finally relax, think again. Complacency is deadly in business, and one of your primary jobs as an entrepreneur is to find new clients so your business can grow. After all, if your clients dry up, so will your revenue streams.
Success means growth, and if you want your business to grow, it needs a steady influx of paying customers. Whether you own an online store or work as a consultant, you need to know how to attract clients. The Internet has forever transformed the way we conduct business, and tools such as a customer-onboarding system have led to increased client satisfaction. But you can still rely on tried-and-tested techniques to attract prospects.
1. Expand your focus
One common mistake many entrepreneurs make is pitching their business to the same group of people over and over again. If you’re having difficulty expanding your client list, you might want to expand your focus if you want to meet new prospects.
Another factor you should also consider is your style of pitching. If you haven’t updated your deck or spiel in years, then it shouldn’t be a surprise that you’re not reaching new customers.
For instance, if your business sells ice machines, you’re probably used to pitching to bars, restaurants, and convenience stores. Expanding your focus to include healthcare providers and even homeowners gives you more opportunities to pitch to new prospective customers.
2. Contact your existing clients
If you don’t know where to begin, your existing network is a great place to start. You can leverage your current clients to get the word out about your business and reach new prospective clients.
Once you’ve identified your firm’s customer base, you can then center your customer outreach efforts towards building that group. You can then use your current network to reach others within your target market. Let’s say you sell gardening supplies. It would be beneficial to your business if you joined as many gardening-related groups as possible.
You can also offer incentives such as discounts to your existing customers if they help you gain new clients.
3. Attend industry events
If you are known as an expert in your field, you should take advantage of your skill and reputation to get involved in industry events and gatherings. Through speaking engagements, you’ll have the opportunity to meet potential clients and improve your reputation as a leader in your area of expertise.
No event is too small if it means getting the word out about your business. Whether it’s for a small group or to hundreds of people, you should take any opportunity to get involved at a local level and get yourself in front of more people.
Expanding your customer base can be a challenge, especially if you’re trying to get your business notice in a crowded market. By following these tips and tricks, however, you can meet new prospective clients and grow your business.