Where to find customers for new business

Here's how to get the job done. The reason? If you stop and think about the price you're paying to bring in added shoppers in terms of time or money, you can start to make better decisions about how and where to put those resources. The practice is especially important for new business owners who tend to not only have more limited means, but also don't generally register a profit from a new customer until the fifth of sixth purchase.

And without a stable of customers to tap for repeat purchases, being more careful about where you ply your limited resources can only serve you. As an entrepreneur, author and business coach, he has owned and operated more than two dozen companies including his main company, ActionCOACH, which has more than 1, offices in 34 countries.

Entrepreneur Staff. Anna Johansson. Jason Feifer. Mark Vickery. Put up flyers up in local shops. Distribute leaflets and provide introductory offers. A direct mail campaign or an email marketing campaign can also be an effective way to reach new prospects; be sure to observe data protection rules if you go down this path.

Could your advertising strategy be improved? Give free advertising on your website to non-competitors who return the compliment. If you do pay for advertising, try to negotiate cheaper rates. Pay-per-click advertising online can be targeted and cost-effective. Try to get coverage in your local paper or trade press. You will need a newsworthy story , or you could put yourself forward as an expert to comment on your industry.

Go to trade events and speak to as many people as possible. Get involved in local business associations and events. Would closer involvement in your local community be good for business? Online networking can also generate sales. If you are in a service business that uses vans or trucks, your name should be on all your vehicles, so that people who see you servicing others in their neighborhood can quickly spot how to contact you.

Have magnets made up with your name and phone number and attach them to appliances you repair, or hand out to customers and prospects.

The more people who have your name and contact, the more customers you can acquire. Where do they advertise? Where do they network? What tactics do they use? What works for them may work just as well for you. If most people in your type of business advertise in print to bring in customers, you should do the same. Plan smaller ads to run over a long time in the same publications that your competitors advertise in.

To keep costs down, target your ads so they reach people who are similar to your most likely prospects, and target them so they only show up in the geographic region you service. Example: women between the age of 40 and 55 who live in Boulder, CO. Set daily budgets and monthly budgets, and check your account frequently the first few days you set it up. Chambers of commerce and other local business groups often have member directories in which you can list contact information and website URL.

Did they find a product that better served their needs? Did they just postpone their buying decision? Did they find it difficult to place an order on your web site? Use what you learn to make needed changes and watch your sales start to grow. Sales often happen because prospective customers hear about your products and services in several different ways and from several different sources.

The more often they hear about you, the more likely they are to consider what you have to offer when they are ready to buy. Need more help? Check out these marketing ideas. About the Author: Janet Attard is the founder of the award-winning Business Know-How small business web site and information resource. Follow Janet on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

All Rights Reserved. Blog Menu. Business Know-How Powered by. Develop a plan for customer acquisition The secret to creating a successful acquisition plan is to know who would make the ideal customer. Look for and follow business prospects on social media. Work your local newspapers. Be sure your website and social media pages make it easy for visitors to know how to reach you.