Whether you are just starting on a new business venture or you’re looking to expand your reach, growing a customer base for your business should always be a top priority.
Many companies simply set themselves up and expect customers to find them, but this is very rarely how things work.
I have put together a list of the most helpful tips on how to start growing a customer base for your business so that you can get off on the best footing.
1. Know Who Your Customers Are
Always ensure your business is personalized to suit your perspective market.
This might seem like an obvious point, but never underestimate the advantage of a simple starting point.
To target your customer base, you first need to know who they are.
Consider creating a mind map with any information you can think of about who your customers are.
You need to think along the following lines:
- Age
- Gender
- What kind of sectors do they work in?
- Why are they specifically looking for your service?
- What can you offer them that your competitors can’t?
- Are they local, national, or international?
2. Make the Most of Social Media
Every business should have a social media presence; it’s the first place many customers look for potential goods and services.
Social media is an excellent vehicle for growing your customer base and for providing useful information such as opening times, your website, and engaging with customers.
The best social media platform will depend on your business and customer base, but consider a Facebook page and Twitter as the minimum standard.
3. Foster Good Relationships
Word of mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools for growing a customer base, and it’s free!
Positive feedback is a great way to show your potential customers how much you value your business, and it shows you’re able to deliver a good service.
The bottom line is to foster good relationships with existing customers and suppliers while asking for feedback at every available opportunity.
4. Don’t Overlook Existing Customers
Your existing customers are the ones paying your wages, so don’t overlook them for the sake of growing your business.
Be sure to divide your time equally between supporting your existing customers and looking for ways to grow your business.
Consider using the Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, as an effective way to divide your time.
5. You Can Never Think Too BIG
Even small businesses can collaborate with large ones. The worst they will say is No!
Even if you’re small or newly started business, consider asking large companies to collaborate.
If you have got the passion to grow your business, this is a great way to do so.
Approach large companies relevant to your business and see what you can do for them.
The worst that will happen is that they’ll say no!
To Wrap Up…
Growing a customer base for your business starts with small steps and is most effective when planned properly.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately though.
After all, building a good customer base is a long-term goal!
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog post.
Let me know your thoughts or suggestions in the comments below.
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My name is Sujoy Mukherji. I am an Internet Marketer, Entrepreneur & Professional Blogger. Founder of the Affiliate Hub Blog.