Being a small business owner can be a challenge. Not only can it be a struggle to keep your current clients, but it can also be difficult to attract new ones. Fortunately, there are things that you can do in order to secure new customers.
Stay in Contact With Your Customers
It is important to follow-up with new customers. You can call them, email them or send them a card in the mail. Let them know that you appreciate your business. You should also ask them if there is anything that you can do for them. Customers will likely want to use your business again if they feel that they are appreciated. However, you do not want to overdo a good thing. Most customers do not like being bombarded with emails and phone calls. You should send a follow-up email or call your new customers within 1 to 3 days of meeting them. After that, you should check in with them once a week.
Furthermore, it is important to respond to requests as quickly as possible. Check your email and voice mail on a regular basis. You should also make sure that you provide new customers with a business card before they leave.
Use Social Media
Using social media is one of the easiest things that you can do in order to grow a business today. Most people use it, so you will be able to easily attract new customers. Promote your products and services on your social media pages. You should also let people know about any upcoming events that you will be having on your social media page. It is important to update your social media on a regular basis.
Using Professional Associations
A business’s reputation can be the thing that makes or breaks it. You can prove that you are a great business by getting an accreditation from a professional organization such as the Better Business Organization. If you want to get accredited by the BBB, then you will need to apply for it. You will receive your accreditation if the BBB determines that you meet their standards. Consumers put a lot of stock in the ratings provided by this and other similar services, so setting up your connection with them is definitely a good idea. Many sales companies are victims to bad publicity due to misunderstandings about their sales structure. A perfect example of this was the supposed ACN scam that was a result of consumers not fully understanding the direct sales model. When any company undergoes internet slander as a result of this type of misunderstanding, having a relationship with an association like the BBB can be an enormous help. When potential customers see that your professional business associations don’t see your model as illegitimate it is much easier for them to disregard any negativity that might be present online and still give your business a chance.
Deliver Quality Service
This is one of the keys to running any successful business. The price is not the only thing that keeps customers back. In fact, many customers do not mind paying more for a service if they feel that it is worth the money. That is why it is important to consistently deliver good service.
One of the things that you can do in order to access whether you are delivering good service is to ask for feedback from your customers. Ask them about things that they liked about your business. You should also ask about areas that you can improve in.
Reward Their Loyalty
It is important to give your customers an incentive to keep coming back. That is why their loyalty should be rewarded. For example, you can give new customers a discount on their next product or service. You can also give them a discount for inviting their family members or friends. This is an easy way to bring in more revenue as well as attract and retain new customers.
It can be difficult to run a new business and secure new customers. However, there are things that you can do in order to make this easier. You want to make sure that you follow-up with your customers, reward their loyalty and deliver great service. You can also use social media to promote your business and stay in touch with your customers. Furthermore, it is important to get a professional accreditation from an organization.
