Ten Things Any Business Can Do to Get Customers

 

Here are 10 practical strategies that businesses of any size can implement to attract new customers. I've included real-world examples for each, drawing from proven marketing tactics. These can be adapted to various industries, from retail to services.

1. Ask for Referrals: Encourage your existing customers to recommend your business to their networks. This leverages word-of-mouth, which is often more trusted than ads. For example, a local coffee shop could offer a free drink to customers who refer a friend via a simple referral card or app, resulting in a steady influx of new patrons.

2. Offer New Customer Discounts or Promotions: Provide incentives like introductory offers to lower the barrier for first-time buyers. A software company might give a 20% discount on the first month's subscription or a free trial period, attracting users who then convert to paying customers after experiencing the value.

3. Recontact Old Customers: Reach out to past clients who haven't purchased recently to rekindle interest. For instance, an online clothing retailer could send personalized emails with "We Miss You" offers, such as exclusive deals on items similar to previous purchases, bringing back lapsed buyers.

4. Network Actively: Attend industry events, join local business groups, or participate in online forums to build connections. A freelance graphic designer might attend trade shows or LinkedIn meetups, handing out business cards and following up with potential leads, leading to new project inquiries.

5. Update and Optimize Your Website: Ensure your site is user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and SEO-optimized to attract organic traffic. A small bakery could revamp its website with high-quality photos, easy online ordering, and blog posts about recipes, improving search rankings and drawing in local searchers looking for "fresh pastries near me."

6. Partner with Complementary Businesses: Collaborate with non-competing companies to cross-promote each other. For example, a gym could team up with a nearby health food store to offer joint discounts, like a free smoothie with a gym membership signup, exposing each business to the other's customer base.

7. Leverage Social Media Marketing: Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn to engage audiences with targeted content and ads. A beauty brand might run user-generated content campaigns where customers share photos using their products with a branded hashtag, amplifying reach and attracting followers who become buyers.

8. Implement Content Marketing: Create valuable content like blogs, videos, or guides that solve customer problems and position your business as an expert. An accounting firm could produce free webinars on tax tips, shared via email newsletters, drawing in small business owners seeking advice and converting them into clients.

9. Use Email Marketing Campaigns: Build an email list and send targeted messages to nurture leads. For a restaurant, this could mean sending weekly newsletters with menu specials and exclusive coupons to subscribers, encouraging sign-ups at the point of sale and driving repeat visits from new contacts.

10. Offer Cross-Selling or Bundling: Suggest related products or services to enhance the value of a purchase, attracting customers looking for comprehensive solutions. An electronics store might bundle a popular smartphone with accessories like cases or chargers at a discounted rate, appealing to shoppers and increasing average order value while drawing in deal-seekers.

Tom