Small Business – Tips to Get New Customers

As a small business owner, you shouldn't wait for the time your sales begin to drop to think about new customer acquisition. While maintaining your existing customer base is important for stability, making new clients is essential to business growth. Whether you supply building hardware or deal in energy products, the following tips will help you add to the pool of your existing clients.

1. Treat your current customers with incentives – Your existing customers can play a big role in promoting your business with their recommendations to other prospects. Dole out a lot of incentives to current customers on their future purchases in the form of discounts, freebies, etc. This will not only consolidate your relationship with them but as the word spreads a lot of new prospects will be attracted to your business.

2. Take a second look at your existing customer database – Review your current clients list to find out the customers who have bought your goods just once or twice, or any clients that haven't purchased for a long time. Let your sales staff contact these past customers with new offers.

3. Try to get media coverage for your business – Getting news coverage is a great way to publicize your business to a large audience. However, you need to have a good story to attract media attention. You may also volunteer to serve as an industry expert on a panel discussion on local TV or radio, or even author a post in the local press. For more on improving your company's PR see, 10 Small Business Public Relations Tips.

4. Advertise with a difference – Change the advertising media that you usually prefer, and advertise in different places to reach out to a new set of prospects. You may also buddy up with other non-competing local businesses to advertise your products to their customers, while you return the favor by promoting their business along with yours. For more information on advertising, see: Top 9 Small Business Advertising Tips and 8 Small Business Print Advertising Tips

5. Boost up your networking skills – Join your industry or trade association, meet people, and be an active participant in the organization's activities. You may also involve yourself with local community events for networking and greater visibility for your business. For more on business networking, see: 11 Small Business Networking Tips