Ways to Get New Customers

Ask for referrals.

Referrals are one of the best ways to get new customers—but if you sit back and wait for your current customers to refer their friends and family members to you, you could be waiting a long time. Take charge by implementing a system for actively soliciting referrals from your satisfied customers. Build referral-generating activity into the sales process. For example, send a follow-up email asking for a referral after a customer has received their order from your e-commerce site. Have your B2B salespeople ask for referrals when they follow up with customers to answer questions after the sale.

2. Network.

Generate good old-fashioned word-of-mouth by participating in networking organizations and events relevant to your industry and your customers. Be sure to approach networking with the attitude, “How can I help others?” rather than “What’s in it for me?” By thinking about how you be of service, you’ll build relationships that lead to new customers.

3. Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. Introductory offers, such as a two-week course at your karate studio for $100, can lure

Re-contact old customers. Everything old can be new again—including old customers who haven’t done business with you in a while.

Improve your website. These days, consumers and B2B buyers alike find new businesses primarily by searching online.

Partner with complementary businesses. Team up with businesses that have a similar customer base, but aren’t directly competitive, and strategize how you can target each other’s customers Use online reviews to your advantage. Does your business get online reviews from customers? Cultivate your reviews and make the most of them

Participate in community events. All else being equal, most people like to support independent businesses in their communities.