Generating new business by growing your customer base is important to your business success. However, it can sometimes be very challenging. Here are some practical tips to help you grow your business.
Nurture Existing Customers and Look for New Opportunities
Have strategies in place to nurture existing customers, such as staying in contact with them via an e-newsletter or letting them know about promotional events ahead of time. At the same time, look for opportunities to get more work and build your customer base. Make sure you find the right balance between nurturing customers and finding new ones.
Form Strategic Partnerships
Strategic partnerships with the right companies can truly make a world of difference. It could allow you to reach a wide swath of customers quickly. Identifying those partnerships might be easier said than done. But, look out for companies that are complementary to your own. Contact them and propose opportunities for working together.
Join the Local Chamber of Commerce
Networking can be a powerful and inexpensive way to meet other people in your community. As a small business owner, you should be taking the time to put yourself out there in front of other people who can send business your way.
Increase Your Business’s Visibility
Learn about simple SEO (search engine optimization) techniques that can help your business be more likely to show up on the first page of search results. If you have a brick and mortar location, make sure you’ve claimed your business on Google. Resist the temptation to run your business through your Facebook page or any other third party page—you’re at their mercy every time they change their algorithm or your ability to reach customers.
Local Internet Marketing
Creating a digital marketing strategy for a local business is quite different than creating one for an online-only business. Your local internet marketing strategy should specifically target and appeal to potential customers in your geographic area. Some tips include; Have a Mobile-Friendly Website, Optimize Your Site for Local Search, Have a Clean, Professional Design, Include Address and Hours and But Always Keep Your Audience in Mind While Posting
Pay Attention to Customer Feedback
Customer feedback is an essential tool for evaluating how well your business is doing providing the quality product or service you advertise. And although it may take more time and energy than you seem to have some days, it’s important that you stay in touch with how your customers are responding. An occasional negative review is to be expected and should be handled with diplomacy. But if that one negative review turns into a trend, it could be a symptom of something larger that needs to be resolved quickly and efficiently.