How Do I Get More Customers?
It's a common enough question "how do I get
customers?" or indeed "how do I get more customers?" The answers
to these questions are not as complex as you might think. We have found that
the barrier to these straight forward questions is often ourselves as business
owners.
How do I get more customers for my business?
Whether you are a start up or a long established business the
solution is very simple and here are the steps:
1. Who is your customer bulls-eye,
i.e. who is your prime target that could buy if they knew you were selling. All
too often we hear owners tell us that "anyone who is a... " The problem
with this type of an answer is that the word "anyone" is too vague.
You need to be specific, spell out exactly the type of customer, the size of
their business, what the ideal annual turnover is, maybe their geographical
location. The more specific the better.
2. Sell to
your existing clients - Seems
silly doesn't it, duuhh! It's been our experience that if you ask your existing
customers, most of them do not know your full product range. The like you, they
buy off you and they are the most likely to buy more off you, you just have to
tell them to.
3. Get
customers for your customers- this is the most overlooked
and simple source of new business for you. Think of it, if you get new clients
for your customers they will be healthier as a business and you'll be surprised
that over time you too will get referrals from them.
4. Who
knows your customers before you do? - This takes a bit of getting your head
around. But think about it, if you can become a trusted partner of a company
who deals with your ideal prospects then you will have an endless supply of
more customers for your business. So look through your contacts in your email
or in your phone and see who might fit, and call them up today and have a
coffee and a chat, maybe you know their customer before they do and you can
refer new business to them.
5. Don't
put off 'till tomorrow - we
find that the single biggest block to getting more customers for your business
is not taking immediate decisive action. Too often business owners get busy
making lists, making details plans, looking for excuses to almost not take
action. It should take no longer that an hour to put a simple plan together
then go make some calls and set up some meetings, get into action, get results.
The list above works, the flaw in the model is you'll probably
do nothing with it. Stop now and think "how do I get customers?" You
must take action. If you can't or don't know how, we offer business advice and
business help to owners to help them take the necessary steps.
