Many business owners find it difficult to connect with their ideal clients. As entrepreneurs, we often give our clients what we think they want or need based on what we want or need. Too often, we complicate the services we provide to our clients simply because we don’t know what they are looking for. The best way to find out what your clients want or need is to simply ask them.  If you create offerings that address a problem or need held by your clients, it will make it very easy for them to say: “yes I want that.” However, if you have not done prior research to find out what the needs and wants of your ideal client are, you will be spinning your wheels and scratching your head trying to figure out how to make more money in your business. When you ask your target audience what they need, it paints a clear picture of how you should position your business and your solutions in a way that attracts them to you.

How do you learn what your ideal clients want or need? Below, I’ve listed 4 easy strategies to help you connect with your ideal clients.

1. Conduct a survey. Every time I’ve done a survey with my ideal clients, I’ve found great insight. Recently, I conducted a survey on one of my workshops and the results were fantastic. There a few simple ways you can ensure that your survey is successful. First, make the survey simple and compelling. Second, limit the survey to ten questions or less and (use multiple choice answers). Third, offer a small prize or incentive for completing the survey. It should only take 3 to 5 minutes for your participants to complete your survey. If you want to survey a larger audience, consider social media or your email list to conduct a survey. You will be surprised at the information you find out. Use the answers and the feedback from your ideal clients to tweak or adjust any areas of concern.

2. Speak at a function. Participating as a speaker in professional organizations, chamber meetings or networking events is a great way to connect with your ideal clients. The best way to get speaking gigs is to ask for them. If you position yourself as a speaker, you will get more opportunities coming your way. Public speaking is a great way to get in front of your ideal clients and instantly find out what they want or need.

3. Network, meet and greet. When you get out of the office and attend a few networking events, you are putting yourself in the position to get face to face with prospects and ideal clients. Figure out where your ideal clients congregate. Once you know where to find your ideal clients, make it a point to target the organizations and groups that cater to them. Each month, plan to attend a few networking events where your ideal clients hang out. Of course you should prepare your elevator pitch ahead of time. Once you verbalize your compelling marketing message along with the solution you offer to your ideal clients, you should have no problem converting prospects into paying clients.

4. Socialize with them on-line. Of course you already know the power of social media. The amount of people who are using on-line assets to conduct business is staggering. However, it is important to use social media in a smart way. If you are not converting any of your fans, followers or  “likes” to clients, you are not doing something right. Position yourself as a leader in your field. Make sure to participate in groups that target your ideal clients. Engage with people in group conversations, offer advice, and promote a new product or service. Most importantly, create a relationship by having consistent communication. Finally if you have the budget, use internet advertising to deliver a quick, concise call- to- action that will motivate your ideal prospects to want to work with you.

Take out the guess work. Spend more time with your target audience. The more time you spend the easier it will be to figure out what your ideal clients want and need. Once you know their needs, you know how to position yourself as the solution to their needs. As you can see, connecting with your ideal clients is easy. Once you know what your ideal clients need and want, you can create solutions that pull them toward you.

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This article is written by Lori A. Manns. Want to use this article for your website, blog or newsletter? No problem. Here’s what you must include: Lori A. Manns, CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group your marketing and sales success mentor, and founder of ABC’s of Successful Sponsorship Sales System;TM  that shows you how to get more sponsors and sales for your business, guaranteed. To purchase consulting  services on marketing, advertising or sales and, learn how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.