Without new clients, your business will stall, so it pays to be proactive. You can post ads locally and online or rely on word of mouth marketing to boost your brand message. These strategies are all proven and likely to prove effective, but it’s worth thinking outside the box, too.
In this article, we suggest a few ways to find new clients that are less than conventional. Read on for more information.
Dare to be Different at Networking Events
In many industries, networking events are a standard way to connect with new and existing clients. You’re probably well used to having a stand at these events, rubbing shoulders with clients, and handing out business cards to anyone who shows the slightest smidgeon of interest. But is this really working for you?
Chances are, you are competing with any number of similar businesses for your clients’ attention. Unless you stand out from the crowd, it’s not easy to make a lasting impression. The fix is to be different in some way.
For example, rather than wear a standard suit or whatever else you’d normally wear to these events, dress up in a costume that finds your brand image. So, if you run an outdoor pursuits company, you could wear a funky Hawaiian shirt and some boardshorts. Even a silly hat is often enough to provoke a few laughs and ensure people remember you.
Remember, dressing in a non-traditional way is a sure-fire way to give you an excellent conversation starter, which could lead to new business.
Search for Potential Clients Close to Existing Ones
If you market to the local community, check who lives close to existing customers. This is an excellent way to build a pre-qualified mailing list. For example, if you run a garden services company, people who live close to existing customers probably have similar-sized gardens and are in a similar income bracket, which means they will be more receptive to marketing mailshots.
Use a service like Nuwber and use the address of existing customers to find out names and addresses of people who live nearby.
Research shows that non-generic advertising materials are more effective. Address someone by their name and they are immediately more engaged.
Do the Work for Free!
You’re probably thinking, this is crazy, why would I work for free! OK, so this one may sound counter-intuitive but doing some preliminary work for free is a smart way to capture the attention of a potential client and persuade them your business can provide a service they actually need.
Nobody is suggesting you slog away for months and deliver a service for free. But it is worth identifying a problem the client has and telling them exactly how they can fix it (with your help, of course).
When you make contact and give them an in-depth sales pitch, they are far more likely to take you seriously because you have demonstrated your skills up-front. Try it – you’ll be amazed at how effective this can be!
Got any more great ideas? Let us know in the comments.
