6 Simple Ways To Attract Customers
Whether your business is just starting out or has been operating for a while, attracting new customers can be a daunting task. Even if you have a steady stream of new customers, retaining them can be a challenge. While we all wish for a magic solution, the good news is that there are some straightforward ways to attract and maintain customers for your small business.
Define Your Target Audience
One of the most important places to start before deciding on your customer acquisition strategy is to define your target audience. Think about your ideal customer, their interests, buying habits, age, location, and income. Keep this audience in mind as you plan your activities to make the most impact. Once you've documented your target audience, it's time to decide on your strategy.
Respond To And Feature Online Reviews
Modern consumers often look at ratings and reviews before patronizing a business they are not familiar with. Because of this, it is important for a business to make sure to respond to all reviews promptly. When you receive positive reviews, express your gratitude and consider featuring them on your marketing channels. In the case of negative reviews, respond thoughtfully and try to resolve the issue. Remember not to take negative reviews personally. Your responsiveness to all customers, even the unhappy ones, will be noticed.
Managing reviews can seem overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with multiple platforms. My suggestion is to allocate dedicated time to monitor and respond to reviews. Businesses like MAS Marketing can also assist you in handling reviews and provide a weekly or monthly customer sentiment report.
Offer Incentives Tailored To Buyer Personas
Running a small business doesn't mean special deals and incentives are out of reach. Small gestures can have a significant impact on a purchase. Tailor your promotions to your specific buyer personas. Here are some examples of how to attract customers at different points in their lifecycle:
For new customers, consider offering a first-time customer discount, such as 10% off or free shipping for orders over a specific amount. Encourage them to leave a review after purchase by offering a discount on their next purchase.
To re-engage previous customers, send targeted "we miss you" promotions. These don't always have to be coupons; you can share your latest blog posts or feature new products.
To retain current customers, consider in-store displays or promotions, run contests, or create loyalty cards.
Participate In Or Host Community Events
Local events offer an excellent opportunity to expose your business to potential customers. Look for events in your community that align with your industry and showcase your business and its unique offerings. These events can also serve as valuable networking opportunities, allowing you to reach customers you might not have encountered otherwise. Maximize your presence by promoting your participation across your marketing channels and business. Make sure you have business cards or other collateral to hand out as well!
When planning an event hosted by your business, keep your target customers in mind and make sure you’re providing value to them. Offer workshops, open houses, or other activities related to your business to help them learn new skills or simply enjoy the experience. Whatever event you decide on, have a clear goal for the event so you can measure success and continue to have successful gatherings.
Build Or Update Your Website
Modern businesses must have a website to build credibility with their audiences. Your website should reflect your business and offerings without overwhelming visitors. Ensure it has a clear call to action on every page, is user-friendly, and uses legible fonts. Regularly monitor your website's traffic and activity and make updates as needed. Optimize your website for search engines using SEO tactics and stay updated with the latest SEO best practices to maximize your site's effectiveness.
Invest In Content Marketing
In my previous blog post titled “Why Marketing is a Small Business Superpower”, I explained how a content marketing strategy can help attract and retain customers. Consistently releasing industry-specific content positions you as an expert and a reliable source of information. Share this content on your website and social media and send it to targeted customer lists. Use relevant keywords in your digital or web content to optimize search engine visibility.
No matter which strategy you choose to attract and retain customers, don't give up. Building a good reputation takes time, and consistency is key to growing your small business. Successful businesses consider marketing a fundamental component of their toolkit, and these are just some of the ways to implement it.
Reach out to MAS Marketing for a FREE 15 minute consultation to discuss your small business's goals. We'd love to work with you to create a personalized marketing plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.
