Starting a business isn’t always easy, but if you find that you don’t quite fit in the corporate world or don’t want to be boxed into a 9-to-5 schedule, entrepreneurship is a great choice. But as with all things, the first steps are the hardest. Even if you are the best in your industry, selling yourself – which is a necessity as a small business owner – can be intimidating. Once you’ve acquired those first customers, you’ll be more confident and can work to keep your best customers.
One of the first things you can do to get your name into the public spotlight is to go social. Sites like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook already have an audience, and you can target potential customers based on your preferred demographics.
CoSchedule explains that social media provides a platform upon which to create brand recognition and to get to know your customers. In addition to interacting with buyers and potential buyers, your social media accounts are a great way to promote contests and special offers.
Take steps to ensure your branding remains consistent across your social profiles, business web design, and other marketing materials.
Become a chameleon
Change is good. Keep that thought in your mind as you learn how to adapt your business to your customer base. Their taste will change, and you will have to learn how to react to these needs, much like a chameleon adapts to his environment to stay alive.
If you sell clothing, for instance, change or inventory up each season, and make sure to stay abreast of emerging fashion trends. Many wholesale clothing distributors even offer drop shipping options, so you aren’t stuck with last season’s products that you’ll have to sell at a loss.
You can also keep your customers happy by providing a selection of complimentary items that fit the theme of your business. In the clothing retailer example above, you might sell trendy jewelry in the summer and infinity scarves in the fall.
Expand and accelerate
As you continue to broaden your product line or service offerings, you’ll get a clearer picture of what your customers want. If you find their demands exceed what you are capable of offering with your current budget, you may be able to get a financial boost via crowdfunding.
Fundera asserts that offering your potential investors (your previously satisfied customers) incentives may encourage more donors to put their money into your business. Crowdfunding is a viable option for small businesses since it gives your customers a chance to weigh in on what you offer. It further allows you to take advantage of social media to appeal directly to your future benefactors.
Giving your customers a voice and rewards for supporting your endeavors is a great way to build loyalty for life.
More than anything, do what you say. If you promise your customers a new style of swimsuit for summer, make sure it’s available in time for spring break.
If you truly want to keep customers for a lifetime, you will have to provide exceptional service with each order and interaction. When you make a mistake, admit it and take steps to rectify your actions.
Remember that customer service can literally make or break your business. Referral programs, repeat buyer perks, and small “thank you” notes or gifts are other ways to provide excellent service and strengthen the relationship between you and your customers.
There is no one-size-fits-all master plan for managing a business. For many, it’s a matter of trial and error. However, by meeting your customers’ needs and providing consistent service, you put yourself in a much better position to keep your current customers happy while building your client base.
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