Gain access to your potential customers
Getting to know your potential customers is crucial for any type of business. Whether you’re running a newly founded start-up or you’re the boss of a multinational company, customers are the ones who drive your sales. The more customers you have, the bigger the revenue and the higher the profits.
#1. Survey Customers
You won’t be able to connect effectively with your potential customers if you don’t have a customer in mind. Survey current customers, as well as members of your target market, to find out how you can better present your product or service, or what aspects might be missing from what you’re currently offering.
#2. Research Your Competition
Chances are you’re not alone in your niche. If so, your competition might already be attracting customers via several methods. An easy way to find out which kind of marketing campaign works and which don’t is by researching competitors in your industry.
Not only will this inexpensive effort give you some ideas to follow for your own campaigns, this research will also reveal dark spots in your competitor’s process and present new directions for you to take on your own marketing strategy.
After all, just by going into business in the same industry, you’ll be going after some of your competitor’s target market. You might as well use their example to make your service and product better for their customers.
#3. Create Targeted Ads
Far cheaper than most methods of advertising, Facebook and Google targeted ads prove that a little can go a long way.
While most advertising in the real world only reaches whoever comes across a billboard, bus stop or commercial, these targeted ads can locate the people who are most likely to need your service based on geographical location, demographics (including age, gender, education and relationship status), interests (based on what they’ve shared or “liked”) and browsing activity.
By investing in targeted ads and paying through their Pay Per Click or Pay Per Impression method, companies can see a significant bump in their user engagement, conversion and sales.
#4. Create an Online Presence
There’s having a presence on social media, and then there’s having a social media presence. When it comes to keeping customers, a little more effort on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram really go the distance.
#5. Affiliate Marketing
One of the oldest forms of internet marketing is through affiliates. Although it is still overlooked by a large number of companies, affiliate marketing retains its effectiveness to date.
#6. Build Your Trust
A recent survey shows that a large number of customers value trust more than anything when it comes to using a company’s services. This trust can come from reviews, publications, previous experience or other sources.
Running a company that has the trust of its customers is profitable both now and in the long run. By gaining the trust of your target audience, you reach out more potential customers, regardless of how many competitors are in your niche.
#7. Approach Influencers
Many internet users rely on the thoughts and ideas shared by people known as influencers. These can be bloggers, entrepreneurs or social media gurus who put time and effort into finding good products and services and sharing them with their viewers.
Reaching out to the right influencers can have a positive impact on your customer base as long as what you’re selling is relevant both to the person and his or her viewers.
