Attract and retain quality high customers

Figuring out how to attract new customers is the part that frustrates most business owners. For instance, if you’re a doctor, you needn’t search for new patients – they come to you. But, this is not the case for most businesses. Attracting new customers is undeniably baffling.

Most entrepreneurs started their businesses because they love the work they do, not because they like selling. Unfortunately, your business won’t survive if you’re not good at attracting new customers.

So how do you begin attracting new customers? We cover 15 actionable ways to grow your customer base.

1. Set goals for attracting new customers

Setting goals is critical to any business. Even though it may seem like a draining task, goal-setting can actually motivate you. Remember these points as you set your goals:

• Write down short-term and long-term goals for attracting new customers.
• Start by working towards short-term goals, which can lead to achieving your long-term goals.
• Set SMART goals:
  • Specific: How many new customers do you want to acquire? Using which channels (social media, referrals, Google searches, etc.)?
  • Measurable: Establish the metrics you’ll use to determine whether you’ve accomplished your goals
  • Attainable: Analyze each goal and determine its feasibility
  • Relevant: Determine which goals are the priorities for your business
  • Time-bound: Set a time frame to meet every goal

2. Know your customers

You cannot succeed in the market if you don’t know your customers. Before moving ahead with any plan, it’s helpful to develop a buyer persona. Buyer personas are simply a profile of your company’s ideal customer. While it’s important not to create too many buyer personas, having one or two buyer personas in mind can improve the way your business targets its market and attracts leads.

3. Determine your best channels to attract new customers

It’s best for businesses to meet potential customers on the channels they frequent most. Are they on social media? Would they prefer email? Meeting in person?

You can determine how your customers prefer to be contacted by gathering data from your existing customers. However, don’t put all your eggs in one basket – customers joining several new platforms every day, and a multi-channel marketing strategy is always best for attracting new customers.