No matter what stage of business you’re in, whether it’s start up or experienced, you need to consistently land clients. Of course, if they happen to be dreamy, fantastic, easy-to- work with, high paying clients, that’s even better. Growing your business means you grow your customer base continually. Of course there are various ways to obtain new clientele as well as generate new interest in your business. However, there are few sure fire ways that are relatively easy and predictable to help you land new clients. Let’s explore a few of the essential strategies you will need to land dream clients.
- Define who your dream client is.
Before you land dream clients you must first identify who you want to work with and why. The best way to find a certain type of person is to identify them by characteristics. Being too broad in your description will not serve you well. The more specific you become, the better your chances are of landing the type of person you want.
Ask yourself the following:
- What age (range) is my dream client?
- What sex is my dream client?
- Are my most ideal clients’ entrepreneurs or corporate executives?
- What income level are they?
- What are their buying habits for my type of service?
After you have created a client persona, this archetype will help you to attract the right clients for your business. Each archetype should have commonalities that make it easy for you to identify them. Learning everything you can about your dream client archetype will cut down the amount of time you spend qualifying your prospects and therefore cutting down the sales cycle.
Once you decide who your dream client is, you must determine how you help them solve a critical problem or address a need. Remember, people pay for solutions to their problems faster than anything else.
- Build a Brilliant Visual Brand.
First you’ll need to have great name for your company that truly depicts what you do. Secondly you will need the visual elements of your brand such as a logo, brand style (color scheme), tag line and core messaging. Sometimes it’s best to pay a professional graphic designer to create the concept for your brand. However, make sure they capture the heart and essence of your project and what it is you’re trying to convey to your audience.
A solid visual brand should be consistent across all platforms on line and off line; this helps people to recognize your brand anywhere. You will want your brand to be represented in your collateral materials, website, invoices, business cards, etc.
If you are a solo entrepreneur and you are the brand, make sure to get professional headshots done. Don’t use a snapshot photograph on any professional materials; you don’t want to look cheesy. Make the investment and update your photographs every few years if your looks change drastically.
Resource Reference: How to Build a Brilliant Brand
- Be a master networker.
You’ve heard the phrase your network determines your net worth. Building your network takes time, energy and effort. It does not happen overnight. One of the best ways to build your network is to become a master of networking, meeting people and following up.
One of the best ways to get clients from networking is to develop a plan when you attend networking events. Think of the outcome you want to achieve. Do you want to meet 5 people or 20 people? Do you want to add names to your email list or perhaps invite people to an event? Decide what you want to accomplish when you attend events. Go into the event prepared with your elevator pitch. Find out what other people need and nurture relationships by providing resources to others.
Once you build relationships with people, they begin to see you as an important part of their network and recommend your services to others they know. The art of effective networking involves developing a true connection and becoming a resource and following up.
- Put it out there.
Once you’ve created your marketing plan, you’ll need to come up with a few strategies to get your message out there. If you’re on a shoe string budget, one of the most effective ways to put it out there is social media. You will need to update all of your social media profiles and take advantage of building your on-line presence. You’ll want to begin putting it out there that you’re taking on new clients. Of course you must go about casting your net in a very tactful way because you don’t want to appear to be constantly selling rather than being social. Keep in mind, some people are only on social media to be social and they are not necessarily looking to be pitched or sold. However, if you play your cards right, you will treat every social interaction like an on-line conversation and engage in dialogue before you attempt to sell something. Remember the first rule of social media is to be social which simply means be friendly and let your personality shine through a little.
Here are a few places where you can start to put your message out there:
- Your email signature
- LinkedIn Profile
- Any social media profile (Facebook/Twitter/Google+)
- Social media posts
- Blog posts
- Podcasts
- Twitter chats
- Group discussions in social media groups
- Guest blogs
- Broadcast Interviews
- Press releases
Consider this; with every new connection there may be the possibility to offer your services to someone. If you find someone who needs what you have to offer, have a thoughtful conversation with them to find out what their needs are and send them a follow up email letting them know that you do XYZ and if they need your services or know of anyone else who might to please let you know. This is a very simple way to put it out there that you’re open for business and accepting new clients. They may not need your services right away but in a few months they might just call you.
As an entrepreneur, you’ll find there are tons of ways to get clients and some are easier than others. I hope that these 3 strategies have helped you to outline a few ways that you can leverage your network and get new clients.
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Lori A. Manns is an award-winning, marketing, sales coach and business strategist who works with small business owners to help them elevate their brand, get more clients and grow revenue. Lori A. Manns is CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group and founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy™ where advancing entrepreneurs go to learn business growth strategies the soulful way. Lori is also the creator of Sponsorship Sales Secrets System; ™ 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 the start here page on www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.