No matter how successful your small business, you should never stop looking for new customers. After all, circumstances can turn on a dime and you never know when you might find yourself needing to replace lost clients or grow your business.
If you are just starting out, you may be building your client base from scratch and are unsure how to attract customers. You are not alone. Even the most experienced business owners spend a great deal of time figuring out how to secure their next customer.
There are as many ways to attract new customers. Most businesses, however, will want to use tried-and-true methods that are most likely to secure additional clients in the shortest amount of time. If you fall into that category (and chances are you do), here are some important tips to make sure that whether you currently have a large customer base or are struggling to find customers, you can attract the number and type of clients you want:
Tip #1: Know your ideal client. When you know exactly who your ideal client is, you will have a much easier time attracting that type of client. When you cast too wide of a net, or use too general of a marketing message, that message tends to get lost on realistic prospects and sales leads because it is too broad.
Tip #2: Know where potential customers hang out. Are the customers you are looking for more likely to spend a majority of their time online? Are they best reached by phone or through a direct mail campaign? No matter how outstanding your marketing message, it has to be seen by prospects to be effective.
Tip #3: Know the answers. When you establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, people will naturally be drawn to you and your business when it comes time to buy. Having a responsive website, blogging, creating quality content and being active on social media are all important steps to getting your name out there as the expert in your field.
Tip #4: Know how to create compelling calls-to-action. Encourage visitors to your website to subscribe to your newsletter. Ask them to follow you on social media. Create ads with free offers. Once prospects follow you or take advantage of one of your offers, you can begin to connect with them on a regular basis and fill your sales funnel.
Tip #5: Know the importance of follow up. Always follow up with each and every sales lead. No matter how interested a potential customer is in your product or service, if you never follow up, this prospect will quickly lose interest.
Again, there are countless ways to attract new customers. Using the tips listed above will help to ensure that you never lack for new customers or prospects.
Emotional Intelligence and Authenticity the Keys to Succeeding at Work
Business, MarketingOne of the factors critical to your success in the workplace is your emotional intelligence (EQ). Researchers have found that people with high EQ perform better and make more money than those with low EQ.
EQ is defined, in part, as the ability to recognize, understand and influence the emotions of others. In order to reap the benefits of a high EQ, however, you must be genuine, as well. In fact, as Travis Bradberry writes in his article, 12 Habits of Genuine People, EQ on its own won’t do anything at all when it comes to your job performance.
The article cites a recent study from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington that found people are skeptical of EQ unless the person with EQ is authentic, as well. When it comes to farmers and ranchers, this is particularly true.
Farmers and ranchers have little time for slick salespeople who aren’t genuinely interested in what they need to succeed. While Bradberry’s article doesn’t touch on the Ag industry specifically, it is an important reminder for those who work in that industry.
It’s not enough to just go through the motions, trying to demonstrate qualities that are associated with emotional intelligence. You have to be genuine.
It is easy to see why farmers and ranchers are attracted to salespeople who have a high EQ but are also genuine.
Genuine people know who they are. They are confident enough to be comfortable in their own skin. They are firmly grounded in reality, and they’re truly present in each moment because they’re not trying to figure out someone else’s agenda or worrying about their own.
Bradberry lists the 12 habits of genuine people, including they treat everyone with respect; they are trustworthy; they aren’t driven by ego; and they aren’t hypocrites. If you want to be the best marketer or salesperson you can be, you would be well to develop these habits. Whether you are selling irrigation systems or electronics, without these habits it is unlikely that you will be successful doing it.
Can a Robot Write Content that Connects, Educates and Inspires?
Content MarketingLook around stores, restaurants and other businesses and you will see examples of humans being replaced by machines. From self-serve kiosks at the airport to self-checkouts at the grocery store, there are many instances where humans are no longer needed. According to many experts, this is a trend that is here to stay.
But certainly some jobs are machine-proof, right? After all, you can’t expect a robot to write content. Or can you? Writer Suzanne Lucas was so intrigued by this prospect that she decided to find out for herself. In her article, This Post Was Written by a Robot, Lucas discovered that a robot can indeed write content. The problem is, it isn’t very good. Here are a few lines from one robot’s article:
Hiring employees is really a beginning to creating a strong workforce. High employee turnover costs company owners in time and productivity. Offer a competitive rewards package that suits your personnel requires.
That’s not to say that writing-robots are completely useless. For example, Lucas says that such programs or tools can help an inexperienced writer come up with ideas and can offer some options for putting keywords into different contexts. Other than that, let’s just say that Lucas isn’t worried about losing her job to a robot anytime soon.
It’s not a bad deal if you’re willing to do some editing and your focus is on getting content available for search engines. If your focus is on getting people to read, love, and share your content, hire a human.
Quality content connect, educates and inspires. Something a writing-robot has yet to achieve.
How Social is Social Enough?
Social MediaThe Key to Summer Marketing Promotions is Fun!
UncategorizedSummer is right around the corner. Vacations, family reunions and just hanging out at the pool put everyone—including customers and prospects—in a great mood. This make summer an ideal time to implement light-hearted marketing promotions that get the name out about your business.
The best part about summer-time marketing is there are really creative ways to promote your business without breaking the bank. If you are having a tough time coming up with ideas, no worries. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most festive, affordable, and imaginative ways to make sure the sun is shining on your brand all summer long!
Take to social media. Have customers and prospects upload their vacation photos and have people vote for their favorite. The person who posted the winning photo wins a basket full of fun summer goodies, a coupon for a free product or service from you company, or anything else you can think of. You can spend as much or as little as you want on your prize so you control how much you spend on it!
Get your name out there. Print your company’s logo on beach balls, beach towels, sunglasses, water bottles, or anything else you can think of that people use in the summer. Hand these items out to sales leads and customers and your name will be all over the parks and beaches.
Host a party. If you are able to spend a greater amount of money, consider hosting a BBQ, pool party, or outdoor concert for customers and community members. This will not only promote your business, it will promote goodwill among the community and your brand.
Do unto others. Another way to have your business viewed in a positive light is to plan and sponsor an event where all proceeds are donated to charity. The event can be as elaborate as a fireworks show or as laid-back as a car wash or dunk-tank. This is truly a situation where everyone wins.
Spread the news. Most cities and towns have a long list of summer activities. Print those activities on a notepad or magnet along with your company’s logo and contact information. People will refer to the information all summer long and when they do, they will be reminded of your business, as well!
There are countless ways to make sure that summer is a hot season for marketing your business. The key is to make sure that whatever marketing method you choose, it is fun for you to implement and a fun experience for your customers and prospects!
How to Attract New Customers
UncategorizedNo matter how successful your small business, you should never stop looking for new customers. After all, circumstances can turn on a dime and you never know when you might find yourself needing to replace lost clients or grow your business.
If you are just starting out, you may be building your client base from scratch and are unsure how to attract customers. You are not alone. Even the most experienced business owners spend a great deal of time figuring out how to secure their next customer.
There are as many ways to attract new customers. Most businesses, however, will want to use tried-and-true methods that are most likely to secure additional clients in the shortest amount of time. If you fall into that category (and chances are you do), here are some important tips to make sure that whether you currently have a large customer base or are struggling to find customers, you can attract the number and type of clients you want:
Tip #1: Know your ideal client. When you know exactly who your ideal client is, you will have a much easier time attracting that type of client. When you cast too wide of a net, or use too general of a marketing message, that message tends to get lost on realistic prospects and sales leads because it is too broad.
Tip #2: Know where potential customers hang out. Are the customers you are looking for more likely to spend a majority of their time online? Are they best reached by phone or through a direct mail campaign? No matter how outstanding your marketing message, it has to be seen by prospects to be effective.
Tip #3: Know the answers. When you establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, people will naturally be drawn to you and your business when it comes time to buy. Having a responsive website, blogging, creating quality content and being active on social media are all important steps to getting your name out there as the expert in your field.
Tip #4: Know how to create compelling calls-to-action. Encourage visitors to your website to subscribe to your newsletter. Ask them to follow you on social media. Create ads with free offers. Once prospects follow you or take advantage of one of your offers, you can begin to connect with them on a regular basis and fill your sales funnel.
Tip #5: Know the importance of follow up. Always follow up with each and every sales lead. No matter how interested a potential customer is in your product or service, if you never follow up, this prospect will quickly lose interest.
Again, there are countless ways to attract new customers. Using the tips listed above will help to ensure that you never lack for new customers or prospects.