Tips for clients acquisition

One of the most important components of a business is its clients. A business without a client is dead as there would be no one to enjoy their array of products and services.

A lot of businesses encounter hurdles in client acquisition which is the most difficult thing about starting and growing a business. Starting a business is challenging enough without the extra work that is required in reaching potential clients leaving a lot of business owners confused with the various questions it poses;

How do I start?

Should I run paid ads?

Should I be on social media?

Where are my customers?

How do I find them? Etc.

We understand your need and in the next few posts, we have put together a few pointers to help you along the way. We’ve grouped the tips into three categories that are vital to client acquisition;

FINDING NEW CLIENTS

In getting new clients for your business/ expanding your client base, you would have to first discover find your client- you can never get them to be you clients if you don’t find them first. Streamline and knowing who your client is the first step in getting them to be your clients.

We are here to help you do so with as minimal hassle as possible and put together a list of two basic points to be you in your search;

1. Be your Audience

Identify your market and your targeted customers as this makes it easier to find them and deliver messages that would draw them into checking out your product or service. You do not want to rush this. Take your time in getting to know and understand your target market as this would curtail you wasting your time in finding and selling to the wrong customers

A more efficient method is to first define the most likely buyer of your product or service. To do this you need to identify your product and who needs it and put yourself in that position i.e. think and act like your customer. You’re to figure out some basic info about your client;

How old are they? 

What is their gender? 

What is their socio-economic background? 

What is their lifestyle? 

Are they active in social media? 

Who are they likely to consult to or where do they look when they want to buy the type of product or service you sell?

The answer to these questions would help you be your client, and in essence, reach your client.

In being your audience, you’ll also need to identify if you sell to businesses or individuals (knowing your product would have provided you with this information). If your product is business-centered, you’ll need to consider what department or person is most likely to check out your products or services and the level of responsibility possessed in determining specific purchase requirements.

Also, you’ll have to determine how long the buying cycle would take and the number of persons that would be involved in the process.

2. Create a Topnotch Prospective Client List

Any well organized and well-planned event requires a guest list and, likewise, you can’t run a business or start any marketing effort without making a list of your potential customers or clients.

It is crucial when planning/ starting a business to create a prospective client list. It is a long term investment in making your business more viable and would pay off tremendously.

There are two important types of lists you can use to build your customers list:

1. An in-house list consists of people/businesses that have done business with you in the past, in case you’ve already made a few sales and are likely to do so in the future.
2. A compiled list can be gotten from professional mailing list companies or brokers or publications that prospective clients have subscribed to.

You can start building your prospective client list from many other sources such as; are personal contacts, existing customers, asking referrals from friends or family members, internet research, social media, and joining community networking events.

SUMMARY

It is important to note that, the above stated points are not mutually exclusive. Though, they seem to be tips that work quite well by themselves.  They’re best used together.

Getting to know your client and taking up their persona would help you to know who to add or remove when putting together your potential client list and effectively saving you unnecessary time and effort. You’d already know who your customer is so you know who fits the bill and not pitch to everyone that comes your way.