6 Cheap (Yet Effective) Ways to Get New Customers
By Kristen Haldeman | November 12, 2019
5. Go where you’re customers are - This means go into both the virtual and physical world. If you’re starting a law firm, jump on the lawyer blogs and discussion boards. If you’re starting a gym, find a local race and promote your business by handing out cups of water. Making that first connection shows the public that you care and encourages them to make the next move.
6. (Be) Grateful for the customers that you already have - The best marketing you can have are the customers that have already bought into your business. Word-of-mouth can be more effective than any social media posting because of the established trust between your current and prospective client. Investing in current clients ensures return.
Take it from Michelle Martinez, CEO and Founder of Make Your Mark Digital at McCarley International, Michelle has helped with the strategic planning and growth of its online presence. When asked to provide a tip for entrepreneurs starting their own business, she answered, “Know your audience! Implementing all of the right marketing tactics, but not getting in front of the people that want or need your product or service, will result in wasted time and money. Take time to decipher who needs your product or service. As soon as you are able to truly understand your buyer, you can then focus on getting in front of them to give them what they need and ultimately grow your business.”
Starting a new business produces a plethora of problems; the most important being how to get people to buy-in to your new venture. We’ve compiled a list of 6 “Gs” to help you remember and implement ways to promote your business that don’t break the bank.
1. Get on the map - People start with the maps on their smartphones when beginning their search. They see what businesses are closest to them and then which of those have the best reviews. If your business is not on the map, then people may not know that you exist. Fortunately, getting on the map is free! The main map search engines are Google Maps and Yelp.
2. Give stuff away - Speaking of free, people love when businesses give stuff away: “First 10 people receive a free water bottle when they sign up for a year contract at my new gym.” Or, you could make it a competition where the winner receives a collection of small, unique gifts.
3. Get online - Be your own social media guru. Taking advantage of features like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter analytics can help you to focus on what demographics you are attracting and what content is most appealing. Paid advertisements provide a greater opportunity for reaching potential customers, but be careful. Do the research on what paid ads are best for what you need.
4. Gather connections - Even if another company may seem like your competition, they may have access to a pool of people that are interested in your new company. “If you can view your competitors as collaborators, and partner with them to sell your product, you will automatically have access to a much wider customer base,” says Dan Laufer, CEO of the rental review website RentLingo.