How To Lure New Customers To Your Small Business

CURATE A DETAILED PROFILE OF YOUR AUDIENCE

Catching the attention of your potential customers is an easy task if you know exactly what you are searching for. So, begin by defining your target audience. Be as detailed as realistically possible. Include descriptors such as gender, occupation, NRIC number/FIN, hobbies, age group, and civil status.

Say you are selling Harry Potter merchandise to teens and other millennials. You noticed that they are immensely obsessed with social media platforms. Hence, you used Instagram and Snapchat to identify your potential customers.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

PROVIDE AN INVITING ATMOSPHERE

Charming your customers start as they enter your doorstep or website. Flashy signs may draw them in, but your accomodating gestures will make them stay. Send warm greetings and show new customers around your vicinity. This will make them feel appreciated and special.

This is certainly true if you are in the food business. Ushering your hangry customers with a friendly service can help them calm down. I cannot remember how many times this happened to me!

OFFER TEMPTING FREEBIES

Display an offer that new customers cannot resist by providing free trials. Fitness centers often distribute flyers that signify a week’s worth trial or a discounted package for first timers. This is a cost-effective way to get good reviews and honest testimonials.

There is nothing more powerful than giving your potential customers a good glimpse of what is to come!

LISTEN TO THEIR VALUABLE INSIGHTS

As you converse with your potential and existing customers, it is important to actively listen to their wants. Do not assume that you know their preferences! Many startups fail because they are selling products with a non-existent demand.

This is why you must encourage constructive feedback. These may be delivered thru social media platforms, focus group discussions, and online surveys. Take the appropriate actions to improve the operations of your small business.

LAUNCH A REFERRAL SYSTEM

My career path was carved when I became an administrative officer in a contemporary yoga studio. One of the studio’s promotions, which endured throughout year was the “Refer A Friend Campaign”. It encouraged the existing customers to invite their friends over to receive up to 20% discount on their next packages. The more people they refer, the higher the reward gets. You may launch the same campaign in your small business.

Remember that people love to be acknowledge. Use that to your advantage!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

New customers are the tools that enable your small business to flourish. If you want to attract more customers, you must consider these people in every step of your journey.

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Avoid The Four Lethal Sins Of Sales Talk

Whether you consider me as blessed or not, I was born to a health-conscious family. Our parents encouraged us to exercise regularly and drink nutritional supplements to nourish our bodies. Yesterday, I was at a well-established fitness chain with several international branches. The facilities were exceptional. The machines were adequate. And, the classes were engaging. It suits my cup of tea!

I was sitting quietly at a corner to relax. Minutes later, a trainer sat next to me and began to flash a smile. He started talking to me. At first I thought that it was a flirtatious conversation, but it dawned on me that he was trying to sell himself. He said that he trains the most number of students in the facility. He said that his winning asset was not a certificate, but his winning personality. He implied that the appeal that he oozes was due to being a foreigner in an Asian land. His ego was inflated and he kept wheeling the conversation back to himself. He was overselling! I was not a fan of this approach. I shrug him off and continued with my Yoga class.

Like him, there are several salesperson who commit costly mistakes. Know each one of these “sins” by reading thru:

#1: BEING TOO PUSHY

Do not reek of desperation! Pitching a product or a service non-stop can send a signal that you are being too pushy or too obnoxious. Cultivate a safe room for the customer to make an intelligent decision. It is important to know when you must stop the sales talk.

#2: EXCESSIVE CHATTER

Too often than not, salespeople chatter about the goodness of their products or services. This practice can be annoying! In my example above, the trainer kept about himself. Instead of copying his steps, it is better to ask your customer some questions. Pause and listen to what they he or she has to say. Listening will help you to identify what the customer wants and needs. Your job is to fill these requirements!

#3: USING TECHNICAL TERMS

It is hard to listen to a salesperson when you do not know what he or she is blabbing about. Talking mainly in technical terms or business jargon can lead your customers to a “land of confusion”. Break this barrier by using a language that the customer understands.

It is wrong to say that the “company fulfills a robust implementation of 80,000 protocols”. It is friendlier to say that the “company can virtually connect anywhere”.

#4: SKIPPING RAPPORT

You need to establish a smooth relationship in any type of business. Just take a look at the websites of famous brands. They have landing pages to provide information about the products or services that they offer. These pages come first before the shopping cart. Apply the essence of the landing pages by not rushing into the sale. Take your time to educate your customers and they will reward you with coveted sales.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do your research to know who makes up your target audience!

Sources: 1 & 2

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