Strategies and tactics for getting more customers for a small business
To increase the customer base for a small business, the strategy starts with offering promotions and discounts. For example, creating a limited-time discount on popular products can draw in new buyers. Loyalty programs with rewards for repeat customers also help retain clientele. Referrals, joint promotions with other local businesses, and special holiday sales are effective tactics. Advertising these deals through social media and email newsletters ensures a wider reach.
Enhancing an online presence is another key strategy. Building a mobile-responsive website and optimizing it for search engines can improve visibility. Setting up and maintaining active profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram help engage customers. Encouraging customer reviews and using paid social media ads also play a significant role in attracting new clients.
Engaging with the local community further solidifies the business's presence. Participation in local events and sponsoring local teams or charities build goodwill. Hosting workshops, customer appreciation events, and collaborating with other businesses for joint events foster community relationships. Distribution of flyers, engagement with local media, and joining business networks extend the business's local footprint.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Offer promotions and discounts
- Create a limited-time discount on popular products or services
- Offer a loyalty programme with rewards for repeat customers
- Provide a discount for referrals when existing customers bring in new customers
- Host special events or sales during holidays and peak shopping times
- Partner with other local businesses for joint promotions
- Provide a discount for first-time customers to encourage trial
- Create bundle deals for products or services
- Advertise promotions through social media and email newsletters
- Use targeted online ads to promote discounts to specific demographics
- Track the success of promotions and adjust strategies accordingly
⛳️ Strategy 2: Enhance online presence
- Build a user-friendly website that is mobile responsive
- Optimise the website for search engines (SEO)
- Set up profiles on major social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Regularly post engaging and relevant content on social media
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews online
- Utilise paid social media advertising to target potential customers
- Implement a blog to provide valuable information and attract visitors
- Run email marketing campaigns to keep customers informed and engaged
- List the business on local online directories (e.g., Google My Business, Yelp)
- Monitor and analyse online traffic and engagement metrics to refine strategies
⛳️ Strategy 3: Engage with the local community
- Participate in local events, fairs, and markets
- Sponsor local sports teams, events, or charities
- Collaborate with other local businesses to host joint events
- Offer workshops or classes related to the business
- Create a customer appreciation event to thank loyal customers
- Distribute flyers and business cards in the local area
- Join local business networks and chambers of commerce
- Engage with local media for publicity opportunities
- Host a grand opening or re-opening event
- Gather and act on feedback from local customers to improve services
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
