Attracting New Customers

By Lori Buenavista


New company owners commit considerable time and money trying to come up with marketing ploys to draw in new customers; most of which work, some of which doesn't. Here's one sure-fire strategy to find new clients that you most likely haven't heard of.

A New Twist on Networking

You're most likely conscious of the worth of networking with recognized company owners. You could join your local chamber of commerce or a networking group. Once you've established a relationship, those business owners refer their customers to you. Here's a new twist on networking: choose the right recognized company and offer the owner a Dual Benefit Marketing Plan.

What's a Dual Benefit Marketing Plan?

Listed below are the fundamental ideas behind setting up a marketing strategy that helps both you and the owner of an already successful company. Imagine that you're a recognized business owner with a nice set of clients. You'd like to find a way to sell to them and entice them to keep coming back and buy more. Now think about your situation-you have a new company with little or no customers. You'd love to find some. What if you could offer the customers of the well-known business something free of charge that would make that business look great, but would also bring customers to you? The owner of the other company reminds previous client about his services and products gets to offer them a complimentary goodie for being a past client. You can meet his clients and try to make them customers of your company, too.

A good example of Dual Benefit Marketing

Let's say that you've got a small business selling high-end men's watches and accessories. XYZ Suits markets custom-tailored men's suits. The proprietor would love to sell to past customers. You'd like to get new company. Here's how: You offer something for free to the customers of XYZ Suits. Perhaps a high-quality tie tack or pair of cuff links. You draft a marketing letter or postcard for that owner of XYZ Suits to use, marketing the free item at your watch store. The one who owns XYZ Suits sends the advertising piece out to all his previous clients. XYZ Suits' clients are excited to get something for free. Considering that the postcard was sent by XYZ Suits, they create a positive link to the store they've already done business with. XYZ Suit's customers come into your watch shop to have their free tie tack. While they're there, you offer them a discount on a watch if they "Like" your social media page or sign up for your newsletter. Some of them will most likely buy something at your store while they're there.

Everybody wins: You get new clients and customers. XYZ Suits reminds its buyers that the store really cares about their repeat business. The customer gets a free tie tack. The client finds a great new source for high-end watches. The client is reminded that the one who owns XYZ Suits wants his repeat business.

How To Make it Happen

Look for a business whose buyers align closely to your own. A custom suit business would certainly have the same clientele as a high-end watch store-a sporting goods store wouldn't align as closely. Come up with a great freebie to offer that the consumers of the other company would be interested enough in coming to your shop. Approach the owner of the other business with your idea. Make it clear that the marketing piece would concentrate on his company and will present the free offer as a reward for being a client of his business. Make a great marketing component that markets the other company, and directs people to your business. Run the marketing campaign, track the results and see how many new clients you've gained.




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