Customer Magnets
A common business saying states, “customers, not investors, build a business”. The success of a company depends, to a great extent, on the business’ ability to attract new customers. Before a business can sell any products or services it is necessary to design a plan that will attract new customers to your business. Once you have gotten the attention of a customer, you can educate them about the benefits your product or service has to offer. This approach is known as a ‘two-step’ marketing strategy.
Most businesses use ‘one-step’ marketing to promote their products or services, but fail to realize that this tactic is ineffective. Though it is quick and easy to implement, one-step marketing does not attract new customers to the business, as it is not aimed at the target demographic. One-step marketing just promotes a service or product. With a two-step marketing approach you attract new customers to your business and make customers for life.
The two-step marketing approach involves attracting potential customers
to your business, then converting these prospects into paying customers.
Two-step marketing maximizes your sales by targeting potential customers
and presenting them with free information, presentations or offers.
This allows you to attract new customers and educate them about
your product, making them potential customers for life. An example
of a two-step marketing approach is if a business is selling cooking
ware and utensils, they might have a free cooking demonstration
using their products. This attracts new customers and educates them
on how to best use the products and creating a bond between entrepreneur
and customer.
The following are 5 magnets guaranteed to attract new customers to
your business:
- Free tips/advice booklet. Creating a small booklet with free
tips and advice related to your product or service guarantees to attract
new customers for your business. If you are a web designer, you
can create a tips/advice forum on an online community or you can
print a booklet with tips for how to better your design skills
when designing logos or websites.
- Free newsletter. Sending newsletters online or by postal mail,
you can keep in touch with your customers and let them know about
the latest news in your area business.
- Free reports or information packets. Compile a business report
or information packet with tips on how to trouble shoot problems
using your products or services. This is a great way of letting
people know that your business is proactive and people-friendly.
- Create a website. Websites are the perfect launching pad to
take your business to a global audience and give your customers
a convenient way to access your services or products. A website
is an ideal resource for prospects and customers, as you can provide
information about your company, the products and services you
offer, and loads of free information relating to your product/service.
- Host a grand opening or have an open house. By sponsoring a
local charity drive or fete, you can get exposure that is guaranteed
to attract new customers. You can invite local business owners and
residents to an open house at which you display your products
or services. You can also sponsor prizes at fairs and trade shows.
Remember to keep plenty of business cards and company brochures
on hand to give to interested prospects.
Some other helpful tips guaranteed to attract new customers
include:
- Hosting special events like car washes, bake sales and carnivals
- Monitor the quality of your products and services constantly. Satisfied customers are the best free publicity.
- Advertise in classified ads, the yellow pages, TV and radio spots, and display ads in magazines and on websites.
- Donate to charity and issue a press release with a picture in your local newspaper.
- Distribute fliers and business cards door to door.
- Have fun features on your website such as free e-mail postcards, electronic scratch-off tickets for free prizes, and links to gaming sites and chat rooms.
- Exchange banner ads with sites that have similar or complementary businesses.
- Give existing customers a small gift or discounts in return for referring new customers.
