Networking events, I attend all that I can. If you are good at what you do, people refer you. Since my sales training was door to door, I've learn to have very little fear of starting the connections. Don't be afraid of trying new things. For me, it is harder to get business from the internet. Meeting people in person makes a better, bigger impression.
I have tried a variety of advertising to include radio, print,etc. Networking is important and eventually leads to word of mouth customers, and I have been in business just long enough that word of mouth and repeat customers are starting to keep us busy. With that said, the highest ROI for us is a highly targeted snail mail letter that we send out 1-2 times per year. I glean my targeted organizations via web searches and the POC's from the organization's websites. It takes a while, but enables us to put accurate names on letters, and because they have a hard copy that they save for when they need our help, the letters continue to generate business long after the mailing goes out. We do all of the mailing in house and have a permanent imprint and bulk mailing permit at the Post Office, so our cost is very low and it only takes a few customers to pay for it. I would do it more often, but as mentioned, it is a bit labor intensive.
I would first create a list of highly desired and ideal clients you would like to attract, then create a customized marketing plan for them. Whether it is a mailer, email, or product, but whatever you decide it should be something that will make you very distinctive. Talk with someone who can help you develop something out of the box and shows how you are the best solution for their business.
You can go about this in many ways. It really depends on what type of business you are. We're in the catalog mail order business and are wholesale distributors. So it's crucial for us to acquire new customers on a weekly basis. We spend about 15-20 mins a day on Facebook. Make sure you have a sign up form on Facebook. We also spend a considerable amount of time finding targeted prospects on facebook. Since we sell to boutiques, gift-shops, record stores, etc. We'll look up those type of businesses, see if they are a good fit, send them a message introducing ourselves and show them how we could help them. Do this same approach on google/yahoo! We also do PPC campaigns on google and keyword advertising. Depending on your business, I would not recommend spending money on paper ads. Newspapers/Magazines are the equivalence to Cable TV...nobody is watching cable nor reading newspapers/magazines. It's a digital age, so that's the direction you need to follow. Email marketing is one of the best things you can do. Don't waste your money or time buying customer lists. Most of the time they are faulty and if you send an email to these bought customer lists from your own server. You are putting yourself at risk of being black balled from Yahoo, Google, etc. The reason is because they did not opt-in for emails, so you're considered spam at that point. Many businesses have made that mistake! We find targeted business directory's or publications such as, Wholesale Central or Rolling Stone, who will send an email to all their subscribers. We do this once a qtr with each directory. The best thing you can do is pick up the phone and call your existing customers. Call them once a month and simply ask if they need anything, then move on to the next one. Remember it's easier to get 20% out of your current customers then it is to get 20% new customers. Post card marketing can be a successful approach. Another great avenue, is hitting the streets and handing out flyers to people or going to businesses in the area. Do as much cross-promotion as you can! Find bloggers to cross-promote each other. Find industry related blogs or forums and be active on those channels. There's so much you can do! Be creative and think outside the box. When you find what works, stick with it until that well dries out. Hope this helps and I apologize if this was more than what you were asking lol. I just didn't want to give you a vague response. Wishing you much success in your endeavors :)
Using FB, Instagram, email list that is developed through customers and of Cours word of mouth. Probably the most powerful tool. I also believe that prayer is pretty critical overall, and being sensitive to what God wants!
My new customers are referred to me by my current clients
Business from Clayton, NC
Answered on Feb 12th, 2020
Building relationships through networking and providing top notch customer service. I've attended a number of networking events and always made an effort to speak to people I've met before, even if they aren't directly interested in my product. They may know someone who is! The Chamber of Commerce is a great resource.
The other part of this is to provide a solution to whatever they are seeking and be a reliable resource. Customers become repeat customers because you're reliable and continue to provide value to their lives.
Minuteman Press-DTC uses several sources to gain more customers: advertising, increasing our referrals, networking, targeted cold calling and utilizing Search Engine Optimization.
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Answers (1-10)
Networking events, I attend all that I can. If you are good at what you do, people refer you. Since my sales training was door to door, I've learn to have very little fear of starting the connections. Don't be afraid of trying new things. For me, it is harder to get business from the internet. Meeting people in person makes a better, bigger impression.
Join things like the chamber of commerce. Get involved in the community. Good things will follow. Praying for blessings is always recommended as well.
I have tried a variety of advertising to include radio, print,etc. Networking is important and eventually leads to word of mouth customers, and I have been in business just long enough that word of mouth and repeat customers are starting to keep us busy. With that said, the highest ROI for us is a highly targeted snail mail letter that we send out 1-2 times per year. I glean my targeted organizations via web searches and the POC's from the organization's websites. It takes a while, but enables us to put accurate names on letters, and because they have a hard copy that they save for when they need our help, the letters continue to generate business long after the mailing goes out. We do all of the mailing in house and have a permanent imprint and bulk mailing permit at the Post Office, so our cost is very low and it only takes a few customers to pay for it. I would do it more often, but as mentioned, it is a bit labor intensive.
I would first create a list of highly desired and ideal clients you would like to attract, then create a customized marketing plan for them. Whether it is a mailer, email, or product, but whatever you decide it should be something that will make you very distinctive. Talk with someone who can help you develop something out of the box and shows how you are the best solution for their business.
You can go about this in many ways. It really depends on what type of business you are. We're in the catalog mail order business and are wholesale distributors. So it's crucial for us to acquire new customers on a weekly basis. We spend about 15-20 mins a day on Facebook. Make sure you have a sign up form on Facebook. We also spend a considerable amount of time finding targeted prospects on facebook. Since we sell to boutiques, gift-shops, record stores, etc. We'll look up those type of businesses, see if they are a good fit, send them a message introducing ourselves and show them how we could help them. Do this same approach on google/yahoo! We also do PPC campaigns on google and keyword advertising. Depending on your business, I would not recommend spending money on paper ads. Newspapers/Magazines are the equivalence to Cable TV...nobody is watching cable nor reading newspapers/magazines. It's a digital age, so that's the direction you need to follow. Email marketing is one of the best things you can do. Don't waste your money or time buying customer lists. Most of the time they are faulty and if you send an email to these bought customer lists from your own server. You are putting yourself at risk of being black balled from Yahoo, Google, etc. The reason is because they did not opt-in for emails, so you're considered spam at that point. Many businesses have made that mistake! We find targeted business directory's or publications such as, Wholesale Central or Rolling Stone, who will send an email to all their subscribers. We do this once a qtr with each directory. The best thing you can do is pick up the phone and call your existing customers. Call them once a month and simply ask if they need anything, then move on to the next one. Remember it's easier to get 20% out of your current customers then it is to get 20% new customers. Post card marketing can be a successful approach. Another great avenue, is hitting the streets and handing out flyers to people or going to businesses in the area. Do as much cross-promotion as you can! Find bloggers to cross-promote each other. Find industry related blogs or forums and be active on those channels. There's so much you can do! Be creative and think outside the box. When you find what works, stick with it until that well dries out. Hope this helps and I apologize if this was more than what you were asking lol. I just didn't want to give you a vague response. Wishing you much success in your endeavors :)
Using FB, Instagram, email list that is developed through customers and of Cours word of mouth. Probably the most powerful tool. I also believe that prayer is pretty critical overall, and being sensitive to what God wants!
My new customers are referred to me by my current clients
Building relationships through networking and providing top notch customer service. I've attended a number of networking events and always made an effort to speak to people I've met before, even if they aren't directly interested in my product. They may know someone who is! The Chamber of Commerce is a great resource.
The other part of this is to provide a solution to whatever they are seeking and be a reliable resource. Customers become repeat customers because you're reliable and continue to provide value to their lives.
Are you looking to expand online or in person?
Minuteman Press-DTC uses several sources to gain more customers: advertising, increasing our referrals, networking, targeted cold calling and utilizing Search Engine Optimization.