the best way to attract customers

No matter if you’re 6 months or 6 years in business, you’ll need to continuously attract customers!

The best way to attract customers is by showing them that you actually understand who they are, what they need, how you can help them and that you actually care.

It’s really quite simple, and yet, I see so many business owners getting it wrong.

Tragically wrong! ⠀⠀

So let me share my top tips on how to get it right!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

how to attract customers in 5 easy steps

(*These steps assume that you already know who your ideal customer is.  If you aren’t yet sure, start here with a free copy of Venture Vitals!)

1. be clear on what you’re offering (and what you’re not)

The easiest way to attract customers is to know exactly what you’re selling to them, so that you can communicate that with clarity and ease.

Whether you’re offering a product or a service, your potential customers need to understand exactly what it is, how it will help them, and what they can expect from you.

You’ll also want to be clear on what you’re not offering.

If a client asks you to do something outside your realm of expertise or something you feel uncomfortable providing, then you need to be honest and say no.

2. know where to find them

Once you have clarity with your offering, the next step to attract customers is finding them!  To do this, you’ll need to know where they’re hanging out, both online and offline.

This report from USIU SIMElab shows current trends and practices of social media use in Kenya.  88.5% of Kenyans are using Facebook.  But that doesn’t mean Facebook is the best place for your business to be!

Your customer may be using Facebook for something completely different than buying products or services.  So don’t be somewhere just because it’s popular.  Instead be on the channel where your customers are more likely to engage with your business.

And for offline interactions, think about where else you can engage with them.  For my business, I often bump into potential customers at the cafes I choose to work from, the events that I attend, and the networks I belong to.  Learn where your customers are hanging out and find them there!

3. provide value

Once you find them, you’ll often need to provide some type of value to potential customers before they become paying customers.

I am a huge advocate of blogging for this.  It lets you offer a slice of your expertise, show people that you truly understand who they are and what they need, and let them know a bit about you.  It’s a non-sleasy way of marketing, and it helps to build up rapport and relationships with your audience.

Plus, you’ll build up an archive of content that you can send to potential customers during your sales process.

I am also an advocate of offering samples and discounts, particularly when testing out something new.  They can be a great way to attract customers, but if you choose to sell something for less than your standard rate or price, then you must still provide the same value that you would at full price.

I’m going to hold back on a massive rant and just say this: Never offer to give something for free or at a discount and then deliver poor products and services!

4. give a shit

If you look at customers only as transactions, it’s likely they’ll have a poor experience with you and never return.  They may even tell others about the disappointment they experienced with your business.

So don’t promise what you can’t deliver – in skills, expertise, or timelines.

Improve your communication.  Keep them informed and don’t ever make them chase after you for updates.

Meet deadlines and, when you can’t, communicate changes in a timely mannger.

Be kind. Show respect, attention and care.

You’re not the only person doing the work you do.  And your customers always have a choice.  Treat yours well and they will continue to choose you.

5. accept feedback

Listen to what your customers want to tell you.

Yes, it can be hard to hear that you’re not doing things perfectly.  Or that maybe you made a mistake.  But usually the person giving you feedback has good intentions.

Rather than take it personally, ask more questions.  What is making them feel a certain way?  How do they think things could be better?  What’s missing?  What could you do differently?

Really try to understand where your customer is coming from, so that you can use that to your advantage.

You’ll be able to make improvements that could ultimately attract more customers.

over to you

I’d love to hear your strategies for attracting customers.  What’s worked well for you?  What’s not quite to plan?  Leave a comment below.