As a result of the global pandemic, small businesses faced a number of roadblocks.
Various possibilities have also appeared to win new clients throughout the world with remote working here to stay and the boom in online business.
You are not alone if you have difficulty attracting new customers. However, there are solutions.
The following article provides ten exciting ideas to help you stay on track for continued business growth.
Our topics include:
1. Choose the ideal client for your business
What is the purpose of starting here?
Your value proposition can be defined once you have identified your ideal client. To do this, you must be clear about what you do and how you are different from your competitors.
Having an existing presence in a market may help you become an industry leader.
This means the firm is able to focus its marketing efforts on a clear, powerful message about what it does and who it helps.
As a result of specialisation, you can create economies of scale by creating repeatable systems, plus you can become an industry authority with a reputation for providing authoritative advice.
2. You should update your website
Online shopping isn’t just for e-commerce businesses.
According to marketing firm Intergrowth, 68% of online user experiences begin with a search engine, and organic search accounts for nearly 55% of website traffic.
Business websites aren’t nice-to-haves, they’re a necessity.
By not having an online presence, you create a barrier between yourself and potential customers.
You should ensure that your website reassures potential clients that you:
- Provide the services they require
- Possess the necessary qualifications and experience
- Understand the industry they work in.
It is critical to remember that first impressions matter. Your website should have an About Us page, an Our Services page that explains what you do, and a blog that shares your expertise.
3. Using online content as a marketing tool
Optimising your website for search engines, such as Google and Bing, is called search engine optimization, or SEO.
The Content Marketing Institute estimates that content marketing generates three times as many leads as outbound marketing, at a cost 62% lower.
Better quality visitors are a key goal; you want your ideal clients to find you.
In order to achieve this, you must rank on the first page of the search results for the keywords your ideal clients use.
Think about what search keywords you can include in your blog posts to provide valuable advice and education to those people.
4. Use social media
58.4% of the world’s population used social media in January 2022, according to the Digital 2022 Global Overview Report created by We Are Social and Hootsuite.
Therefore, you shouldn’t ignore this market.
Test out new formats to see what resonates with your audience, from YouTube videos to webinars, Instagram stories, and TikTok.
Influencers specializing in personal finance tips for 16 to 25-year-olds have also become very popular on TikTok.
Try not to reinvent the wheel if you don’t have time for social media. You can repackage your existing content for social media instead.
An infographic, video, or tweet can be created by summarizing the key points of a blog post.
It’s not necessary to repeat yourself since people consume content in different formats.
To get the most benefit from social media, you need to be present and active on it.
Every time you make a post, comment on someone else’s. Make sure they are aware of your content by liking, following, and resharing it.
5. Ask for feedback
Positive reviews and testimonials can have a significant impact on a potential client’s decision.
Online reviews are searched by 55% of consumers before they make a purchase, according to KPMG.
To manage your information on Google Maps, make sure you’ve added and verified your Google Business profile.
Your business name, location, and category are all you need to create your profile. As a result, not only will you appear more prominently in local search results, but your clients will also be able to leave reviews on Google, a popular research tool.
6. Get your email list up and running
It is a great marketing strategy to have a YouTube or Instagram account. Unfortunately, if those platforms were to close tomorrow, all of your followers would be lost.
The advantage of owning your own email list is that you can’t lose it.
To get your content in front of your audience, you don’t need an algorithm like on social media.
Your website visitors will be more likely to subscribe to your email list if you offer a lead magnet. Your ideal client will benefit from this free, quick solution.
If you help small businesses prepare their tax returns, you could provide them with downloadable checklists to prepare their information.
7. Participate in industry events
Industry events are a great place to meet new prospects, gain referrals, and develop relationships because face-to-face communication is still the fastest way to build new business connections.
Try online databases, read industry journals or magazines from local business schemes, or join professional groups on Facebook or LinkedIn to find conferences to attend.
Consider the list of speakers, sponsors, and attendees before choosing the conferences and events you will attend. This will help you choose the events with the most potential for your business.
It’s possible for one event to result in a dozen or more new leads for your business, so bring your business development team along.
8. Establish a referral program
Keeping your current clients happy is one of the best ways to gain new clients.
According to the Wharton School of Business, the lifetime value of a referred customer is 25% higher than that of other customers.
For every referral who signs up to become a client, you can offer a reward such as a gift card or a free month of services.
You may start by asking a trusted client what kind of incentive would be valuable to them, then you can test your scheme with a few clients to see how it works.
9. Invest in partnerships
Partner with companies to create a holistic solution for your clients. As a result, you can refer accounting clients to them, and they can refer their own clients to you. Start by considering the networks you already have on LinkedIn.
Reach out to local businesses that have synergy with you, that can offer other services your clients need.
10. Adapt new technologies
The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that around 50% of current work activities can be technically automated.
Therefore, automation is crucial to scaling your business. Everything else can be automated, while your team should focus on tasks requiring a high level of expertise.
Final thoughts
Taking action is the key to winning new clients for your small business.
Nowadays, you can’t ignore your digital presence in addition to leveraging your trusted customers.
You must build your reputation as a leading voice in your field of expertise online to stand out from the competition.
