When you’re first starting out as a business owner, getting customers may seem like a difficult feat. Truthfully, if your product is awesome and you believe in it, the customers will come. The initial trick involves defining who your customer and then going out to find them. Once they know where you are and what you have to offer, it’s a win-win situation. So, how do you get customers to respond in the affirmative and purchase what you have to offer? There are levels to this process and it doesn’t always happen overnight. But, when you take this route, you’ll turn potential leads into fans. Those fans will become faithful customers. Once you have faithful customers, you’ve built a tribe.
Deliver Value
Make it a point to deliver value on a consistent basis. Furthermore, deliver value for free. Why give value for free? Well, you don’t have to deliver all of your value. Yet, you do want to deliver enough value for your customers to realize that you’re not only competent, but you’re confident in the product or service you can deliver. After all, the way you execute and work will be different from anyone else and what they bring to the table. You could give someone your entire business blueprint for free and they still wouldn’t be able to add that special flair that you do. Be confident in your uniqueness and use it as a strong selling point. When you do this, you won’t feel like you’re giving something away for free and will never get anything back in return.
Start a Conversation
If you’re going to complete a strategic marketing plan, it’s best to remember that your customers want to know that you’re accessible. Even if you’re not, someone in your company should be. In addition to a strong social media conversation, it’s wise to use the power of an inbound call center solution. When you have people whose sole responsibility is to manage the customer service portion of the company, you’re in a better position to succeed. Start the conversation by putting your products and services in the public eye. Once you get their attention, have systems in place to process their questions, comments and other forms of correspondence.
Earn Trust
People work hard to earn their money. For them to give it away, there needs to be a valid reason. You’re not in business just for people to throw money your way. It’s best to become intentional with delivering a quality product in a timely fashion. You also earn trust by being responsive. Continue to earn trust by being trustworthy and dependable. Always work with integrity in your business and have accountability to keep you in the clear. When you operate in this manner, it’s just easier for your customers to trust your process and believe that you have their interest at heart. At the core, good leadership involves servanthood.
Ask for Referrals
Once you complete these steps and have a glowing fan and customer, ask them for a referral. Ask them to give a testimonial. There’s nothing like a word-of-mouth review that you didn’t have to pay for. Make notes of the positive things people have to say about interacting with your business. Document them online because it shares your credibility with the world. Referrals and reviews are direct ways to win people over and build your customer base over a period of time. Truthfully, a good referral will take you further than any other strategy. This is the reason why brand ambassadors are enjoying lucrative careers. Advertisers of specific brands reach out to brands and ask for their honest opinion on a product. Advertisers understand the value of a good referral and continue to use it in their advertising arsenal.
Whether you’re just starting out in a small business or if you just need to pump some new life into an old business, always remain consistent with these efforts. Tweak as needed, but don’t give up on the process. It will benefit your company greatly.