Finding Customers for Your Startup
For startups there are many ways to inform your target market about the opening of your business. You options include press releases, paid ads in newspapers, on radio, television, and the Internet. It may take some time before these initiatives yield any results. In the meantime, you are faced with a tough challenge – where to get your first 10 customers.
A good starting point is tapping your personal and professional networks. It is a three-step method that is very easy and practical:
Step 1. Build Your Database
If you are a people person this will be very easy to build. List the names of people you know that will benefit from your products or services. Start with your business connections like former officemates and managers, neighbors, former classmates, civic group members (if you are a member), your spouse or partner’s friends, and other professionals you are dealing with like doctors, lawyers, insurance agents, and even your dentist.
Although some business experts recommend you start with your close friends and family, you should learn to approach them very carefully. There are many broken relationships because of poorly handled money issues.
Step 2. Initiate Contact
Once you have the list, it’s time to start talking to them. You can start with personalized e-mails then follow-up phone calls to check if they are interested with your products. Sweeten your offer by giving away some freebies and discounts.
Step 3. Get Referrals
Do not assume that your friendship will easily translate to sales. A number of potential customers will decline and there is nothing you can do about it. Learn to maximize your effort by asking your friends to refer you to some of their contacts.
When the time comes when you already have many customers, head over to Great Sales and Marketing Ideas blog to download a pdf ebook about turning your customers into your friends.
