Ecommerce sales are projected to rise to $4.8 trillion globally by 2021. And over 1.5 billion people shopped online last year.
If you are someone that offers a product or service online, this is GREAT news!
But maybe you’re still wondering how to get clients in the first place.
Great question! And we’re here help you learn!
Read below for simple solutions to gaining quality clientele for your business.
How to Get Clients
You already have a great service to offer and a great staff to support you. So, why aren’t the new clients lining up at the door to work with you?
The truth is that in the age of the internet, businesses of all kinds have more competition. You have to set yourself apart even more than you have in the past.
There are tons of clients out there waiting for you, but in order to reach them, you need proven strategies for digital success. Depending on your business and the clientele you wish to reach, there are nuances to attracting new clients.
But there are a few strategies that should work no matter what your product or business
Let’s start with these 7 steps!
1. Find Clients Where They “Hang Out” Online
Chances are you already have an idea of who your ideal client is. Think about them now.
Are they male or female? Are they young or old? What kind of job do they have? What is their lifestyle like?
Now that you have an idea of who that client is, it’s time to investigate where they spend time online. Social media marketing is largely dependent on finding out where your audience is the most active.
You can use Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter to gain clients. But instead of posting on every media outlet you can think of, focus your energy on posting where you know your potential clients will be able to see and interact with your content.
Many of these platforms are free to join and free to post, so why not give it a try!
2. Leverage Your Existing Network
Whether you have been in business for years, or are just starting out, you already have one of the biggest sources of help to get new clients.
Your network!
Your personal and professional networks consist of the people, groups, and businesses you are connected to. Start making a list of the people that come to mind and brainstorm how you could contact them for support.
If you are a college graduate or part of a professional society, these are great communities to start with!
3. Host an Event
If you have the means to host potential clients either in person or virtually, take advantage of it. Just because people spend a lot of time online, does not mean that they would turn down an opportunity to learn more about your business in person.
You can host an open house, or a charity event to advertise your business and all that it has to offer. You can also host a virtual event, like a webinar, to market to new clients.
Choosing a virtual event will likely be the less expensive choice, but be sure that the content of the webinar is valuable to your potential clients while encouraging them to get to know more about you or the business you work for.
4. Establish a Referral Partnership
Connecting with people in adjacent professions can help you and your business grow through the power of referral.
Think about it like this. If you own a shoe store, you could partner with a sock store. That way, each of you can refer customers to the other’s business.
Be creative about who you reach out to about partnership. Don’t forget that everyone will want to know what’s in it for them. Make sure that you are also adding value to the partnership by offering money or another form of compensation.
5. Try a Livestream
Video media is up-and-coming as the most popular form of advertising. People would rather watch a video than read an article, so take advantage of it!
A Livestream is a lot like hosting a pre-recorded webinar, but live! This will appeal to clients while also pushing a sense of urgency because they want to experience it live.
Make sure that you are comfortable and prepared on the subject matter if you are going to choose to host a Livestream.
6. Pay for Advertisements
While there are plenty of free strategies to attract clients to your business, there are also opportunities to pay for advertisements.
Platforms like Facebook offer affordable ad space that you can use to promote your business or services. You can choose the copy or images that are used for the ad, and you have control over how long the ad runs.
Online platforms that offer paid advertising have the ability to reach your target audience based on what they already know about their habits online.
So, if you have exhausted free options, try a paid ad and see how it goes!
7. Start Your Own Website or Blog
If your business doesn’t already have a website, start one today! There are several easy-to-use website building tools online. Or, you can hire a professional to design your website.
When designing your website, remember your audience (the ideal client you were thinking about earlier). What appeals to them? What do they most want to get from your website?
Adding a blog to your website can also boost your client numbers. With the right SEO, you will get increased traffic to your company website via the blog. If you are comfortable writing them yourself, go for it! If not, you can hire a freelance writer to assist.
Good Luck
Now that you have a few new strategies for how to get clients, it’s time to put them into action!
If you are confident and passionate about your business, your clients will be too! Start to see your online potential turn to online success.
If you are interested in other digital marketing strategies, check out some of the other blogs!