You want your business to not only succeed but thrive online. To make this happen, you need to be continually implementing a targeted strategy focused on getting more clients. Without planning, your business won’t attract and retain loyal clients. Without clients, your business won’t be profitable.
Acquiring clients doesn’t happen automatically just because you put up a website, and marketing isn’t something you only have to do once and then sit back and watch your profits multiply. Marketing is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort, at least if you want to stay in business.
Client acquisition strategies require a commitment of either time or money, and in most cases both. If you’re looking for Marketing Tips 101, here are 15 ways to get more clients:
Search Engine Optimization
Getting more clients starts with being able to have your website found in the first place. Consider who is looking for your product or service. What search terms are they likely to use to find it? SEO is a long-term strategy that won’t bring results overnight but will help to drive traffic to your website over time.
Have a Clear Call to Action
Once your visitors arrive on a landing page, it should be crystal clear exactly what you want them to do next. Whether you want them to call you, request more information, sign up for your email list or download a white paper, make sure there’s no way they can miss the next action step you want them to take.
Make Your Website Easy to Navigate
When you strategically use internal links on your website, clients can easily find what they’re looking for. If you don’t take this step, a potential client who lands on your site and can’t navigate their way around will quickly hit the back arrow and search somewhere else.
Offer Free Information
Giving away something for free is a powerful tool that can help you to begin a relationship with a potential client. Start by offering free information or a free gift in exchange for their email address. Unless you collect their email address, your website visitors may click away at any moment, never to be seen again.
Email Marketing
Having an email list can be a very powerful tool for getting more clients. Those who sign up for your email list are putting their hand up and saying they are interested in hearing from you. Don’t misuse this privilege. Emails you send to clients should be mostly informational. If you are continually trying to make a sale, your emails will come off as annoying and spammy. Instead, offer helpful information. This begins the process of building a relationship with a potential client and can turn them into a warm lead.
Consistent Content Marketing
Putting up your website is only the first step. The next step is consistently providing content, but not just publishing for the sake of publishing. What you publish should be quality content. Search engines pay attention to how often you update your site, and they also pay attention to how long visitors stick around. Frequently updating your blog or website lets both search engines and visitors know that you care about having a quality site, and it can help you to establish yourself as an expert in your field.
Guest Blog
Guest blogging is a powerful tool for spreading the word about your business. Do some research and find out the best blogs in your niche. Offer to guest blog on other sites your potential clients are likely to visit. Guest blogging in front of an audience that’s already been established can help you attract potential clients.
Write an E-book
Another method of positioning yourself as an expert is to write an e-book focusing on the pain points of your potential clients and offering solutions. The more you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise, the more you set yourself up to attract more clients.
Encourage Potential Clients to Engage with You
Social media has made it very easy to engage with potential clients. You have the opportunity to listen closely to what your audience wants. Some ways they’re communicating with you is by making comments on your blog posts or by having a conversation on social media. Take surveys and ask them what’s important to them. Add live chat to your site so that people know they can reach a real person. When you find out exactly what potential clients are looking for, it’s easier for you to provide it.
Be Helpful Online
As you engage with your audience, go out of your way to be helpful. Answer questions wherever they are asked. Platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Quora offer an opportunity for you to let people know you can deliver what they’re looking for.
Create a Podcast
The world of podcasts is a place where there is a huge audience, some of whom are looking for what you have to offer. This strategy requires a lot of time and energy, but it can help to attract many more clients.
Leverage YouTube
Don’t overlook the power of spreading your message by leveraging video platforms such as YouTube. Present yourself as an expert answering questions that your potential clients may ask.
In-Person Networking
Get out and meet people and talk about your business. Be prepared to let people know what you have to offer on the spur of the moment.
Ask for Referrals
Ask friends, family, and clients for referrals and for online reviews. You can even send a message to your email list letting them know you’re looking for new clients and requesting that they spread the word.
Run a Pay Per Click Campaign
Google Adwords can be competitive and expensive, but those who click on your ads are actively looking for what you’re offering. Paid advertising is a strategy that has the potential to bring in targeted new clients quickly
These methods all have the potential to help you attract an audience who is looking for what you have to offer. Some of these strategies take time and may have a learning curve in order to use them successfully. Let Softline Solutions help you create an effective strategy for getting more clients today.
