Finding Customers means Strategizing Loyalty

“Finding Customers” could be the mantra for any small business, the point of this blog post, or simply an idea whose time has come. You pick.

It’s always appropriate to target customers. In the quest for additional business entrepreneurs frequently forget about their current customers. Relationships rule. One example of a loyalty adage like this: those most likely to do business with your company already know you or know of you.

Countless examples exist. Just this past week Pat Matson, a virtual assistant, was introduced to me through a writing coach, Marilyn Schwader. An indirect association, an e-book, put the three of us together, and a fourth person was the intercessor. It so happened that I needed a VA and Pat had availability.

Or, consider another situation. Darlene Collins, PhD, outlined more than 20 seminars for small business. Her challenge: get the message to potential participants. Her solution: publish the list of offerings to current clientele. The classes began to fill immediately. The audience, aware of her charisma and effectiveness sought to take advantage of the opportunity to train with her on specifics.

In a similar instance, Brian Hudson new owner of Artistic Upholstery contacted those who’d done business with his predecessor to tell them about the new offerings of his company.

How can you implement a similar solution?

• Let your current customers know about your efforts, projects, or new products.
• Invite them to take a specific action.
• Be clear and specific in your message.

1. View the website
2. Place an order
3. Vote for their topic of choice
4. Choose their favorite layout
5. Select the most appealing description
6. Etc.
   

Need more resources to jump start your own plan? Consider Alan Katz, Loyalty Coach and his free course, The Seven Direct Marketing Mistakes Most Novices Make.

Have you had specific success or seen good/bad examples of finding customers recently?