I remember when I told my mum I want to quit my 9-5 job to start a business and become an entrepreneur. She laughed at me so hard and told me it’s not as easy as I think. She then asked me what kind of business I would like to venture into and I told her ‘Digital Marketing’.
“The market is currently saturated. How do you plan to sail through and survive?” she asked. Unbothered about her worry, I quickly replied her “Salt might mimic sugar in appearance but the tastes will always be different. So, I’m different”. I then explained my business model to her, and she asked me one last question that kept me on pause and my brain busted; “How will you build a brand that will easily attract customers?”.
Figuring out how to attract customers is the part that frustrates most business owners. For instance, if you are a doctor, you need not search for new patients –most at times, they come to you. But, this is not the case for most businesses. Attracting new customers is undeniably baffling.
As a business owner, attracting customers to your brand is crucial for its success. Without a loyal customer base, your business will struggle to grow and thrive. Most entrepreneurs started their businesses because they were passionate about the field, not because they like selling. Unfortunately, your business will not survive with just your passion, but by attracting customers and making sales.
With so much competition in today’s market, it can be challenging to stand out and attract customers to your brand. So how do you begin? To help you get started, here are some strategies we’ve compiled for you:
1.SET GOALS TO ATTRACTING NEW CUSOTOMERS
Goals setting is critical to any business. It might sometimes seem and feel like a draining task but it can actually motivate you and keep you on track. Consider the following points when setting your goals:
-Write down short and long-term goals for attracting new customers, and start by working towards the short-term ones.
-Use the SMART goal setting approach
- Specific: How many new customers do you want to acquire?. What channels would you use? (Social media, referrals etc).
- Measurable: Establish the metrics you would use to determine if you have accomplished your goals.
- Attainable: Analyze each goal and determine its feasibility.
- Relevant: Determine which goals are the priorities for your business.
- Time-bound: Set a time frame to meet every goal.
2.DEFINE YOUR UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION
Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is what sets your brand apart from the competition. It is the reason why customers should choose your brand over others. To define your USP, ask yourself what makes your brand unique. Is it your high quality product, your exceptional customer service or your commitment to your business sustainability?.
Once you have identified your USP, make sure to highlight it in all of your marketing and branding efforts.
3.KNOW YOUR COMPETITORS
Knowing who your competitors are, and what they are offering, can help you to make your products, services, and marketing stand out. It will enable you to set your prices competitively and help you to respond to rival marketing campaigns with your own initiatives.
Competitive analysis is one aspect that has become an essential part of any business. Knowing your competitors does not mean stealing their ideas. Rather, it’s all about knowing their strengths and weaknesses. Gathering this information will help inform and fine-tune your own business approach. For example, does your competition lack a solution that your audience is searching for? And is your own business in a position to provide this solution?. Once you are ready to answer these questions, you will be way ahead your competitors.
Here are some ways to gather information on your competitors:
- Check their current products and services
- Analyze your competitor’s website and SEO strategies
- Note their strengths and weaknesses (as a service provider, on social media, etc.)
- Look into their content marketing strategy.
- Read their customer reviews and ratings.
4.OFFER VALUE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS
Attracting customers to your brand requires you to offer something valuable that your competitors are not offering. Offer promotions, discounts, and loyalty programs to your customers. Provide high-quality content such as blog posts, videos, and infographics that educate and entertain your audience. Also, offer exceptional customer service and respond to customer issues promptly.
You can also decide to offer something for free or at a discounted rate. People love getting things for free, or at least at a lower price. You can implement an introductory offer to draw in new customers.
5. BUILD A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
In today’s world, social media is a powerful tool for brand building. Choose the platforms that your target audience use the most and create content that resonates with them. You can leverage social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If you use social media platforms the right way, you can work towards placing your brand in front of a large audience within a short period of time. Below are some guidelines to attract customers through social media.
- Identify which social media sites your desired users are using.
- Create your company profile on these sites.
- Post engaging content related to your company and industry.
- Listen and respond to feedback.
6.ENHANCE YOUR WEBSITE
What value is your website providing?. Every business with a website should ask this question if it wants to attract new customers. Most websites have flaws, and it is mainly due to the lack of quality design resources.
Your website is your digital storefront, and it is where customers will go to learn about your brand. Make sure your website is well-designed, easy to navigate, and optimized for search engines. Use compelling visuals, and ensure that the website is mobile-friendly.
To add, ensure that projects on your website have a consistent brand image and tone across every page – one that ties with all of your other business goals. If you are new to building and running a professional web page, think about trying a service that can help you start your web presence.
7.STICK TO YOUR PLAN AND LEARN FROM YOUR RESULTS.
What if you seem to be behind on your quarterly plan and have not still achieved your quarterly goals?. If things seem like they are not going your way, still stay positive and stick to your plan throughout the quarter.
Keep in mind that uncertainties are bound to happen, and do not be discouraged by the lack of positive outcomes. Do not let obstacles keep you from going forward with your plan, because getting results from a detailed strategy often takes time. After the quarter is over, you can always evaluate your results and chart a new and informed path forward, based on your collected data.
In conclusion, attracting customers to your brand requires a comprehensive approach. As a business owner, you are always on the hunt for new customers. You need to make sure your business is always relevant and inviting to your customers and clients. You also need a set of strategies to apply and know which works best for you. By doing so, you will be able to attract customers to your brand and build a loyal customer base.
