7 EXCELLENT WAYS TO ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS

Building a healthy client list can seem like an overwhelming task. Try these 7 steps to attract new customers.

As a business owner, you’re no doubt keenly aware that your client base is the lifeblood of your company. A steady stream of new customers allows you to grow your business and fulfill your company vision.

OPEN Forum community member
Farzana Irani
realizes the importance of a strong client base for all small businesses, including virtual ones. That’s why the Web consultant with iAdControl.com/Fuzzworks UK recently asked:

What’s your best approach in creating a client base for your online business?

It turns out that a seven-step approach works best for attracting new clients.

1. Identify Your Ideal Client

It’s easier to look for customers if you know the type of consumer you’re seeking. Without a clear image of your ideal customer, it’s difficult to know where to start.

Tip: “Have a crystal clear picture in your head of exactly who you’re targeting,” says
Nicole Beckett,
president of Premier Content Source. “Think about what makes those types of people happy, sad, scared, relieved, and how you can make their lives a little easier.”

  • Avoid overly broad statements like “every man or woman.”
  • Focus on realistic, specific audience segments.

2. Discover Where Your Customer Lives

With your ideal customer in mind, locate where they spend time—online and offline.

Suggestions:

  • Social media groups and forums related to your industry
  • Your competitors’ pages or complementary businesses’ communities
  • Industry events, conferences, and networking meetups

Craft messaging tailored to these platforms and locations.

3. Know Your Business Inside and Out

Deep knowledge of your product or service builds credibility. The more fluent you are, the more clients will trust and seek your expertise.

4. Position Yourself as the Answer

Give people a compelling reason to engage with you. Help solve their problems and they’ll keep coming back.

Tip: Jason Reis, owner of Flehx Corp, recommends:

  • Creating helpful content (webinars, blog posts, guest posts)
  • Networking both online and in person
  • Building a structured sales funnel to convert fans into customers

5. Try Direct Response Marketing

Encourage specific actions from potential customers, such as subscribing to your list or downloading a resource.

Advice from Jeff Motter:

  • Use targeted ads offering something valuable for free
  • Focus on solving pain points quickly and affordably
  • Craft compelling, benefit-driven messages

6. Build Partnerships

Partner with complementary businesses to expand your reach. For example, an SEO firm might collaborate with a web design company.

Nicole Beckett’s tip: “Focus on building human relationships. Strong relationships increase word-of-mouth and repeat customers.”

7. Follow Up

Don’t let leads slip through the cracks. Consistent follow-up is essential for growth.

Josh Sprague, CEO of Orange Mud, says: “Remember to set follow-up tasks and execute your plan. Many leads are lost simply due to forgetfulness.”

What do you do to attract new customers? Share your advice with the community.

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Photo: iStockphoto

Julie Bawden-Davis

Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist, novelist, blogger, and YouTuber. A prolific author, Julie writes in several genres. She enjoys creating page-turning suspense served up with a dose of romance, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and inspire. Widely published, Julie has written 45 books and more than 4,000 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening. Julie gains inspiration from being surrounded by plants when she writes.