As a business owner there is one main priority: getting a steady flow of clients coming through the door.
This can be a struggle with the seasonality of some businesses.
So, what is the secret to finding ‘hungry’ customers who want your business?
It is not a 3,4,5 or any number step process. It is more of a mindset for how you look at business.
Stick with me for the next couple minutes whilst I share how this looks.
You need to walk through life with a ‘money lens’. A set of metaphorical goggles that allow you to see all the money in the world.
There is money everywhere for the taking.
The only way to have your own ‘money lens’ is by actively looking at every business you see in your day-to-day life. Stop yourself and think:
- “How are they making money?”
- “How did they make me spend my money?”
- “What do they do for advertising and marketing?” etc.
You can learn lots from other industries as well as your own and you can adapt other best practices to improve your business. Just look at McDonalds. The Drive Thru wasn’t their idea, it was a pharmaceutical company idea.
Marketing and advertising are multifaceted aspects of business. There’s lots of options available to you. Some items may work well for others, but not you and vice versa.
Just consider the below list of options (not definitive) that local businesses could utilise:
- Facebook (Meta) ads
- Google ads
- TikTok ads (essentially any only platform that runs ads)
- In store signage
- Print media (flyers, newsletters etc.)
- Websites and landing pages
- SEO and online reviews
The list can go on and on, and sometimes you just need to be aware of what options there are and try your hand at a few to know what does and doesn’t work.
You need to assess how people perceive your business and more importantly your weaknesses. Everyone has them, so don’t try and fool yourself that you don’t.
You need to fix the ‘leaky buckets’ first before doing major works.
Most businesses have average marketing. Let’s assess some common weaknesses that you can fix today in your business:
Website.
Most are outdated and clunky. Even if they are new, they are formatted in a way where you need to search for relevant information. Or worse everything is buried in a wall of text. We all roll our eyes when we see massive paragraphs on websites, yet most businesses do the same thing with their own.
Social media pages.
Most businesses have the main ones (Instagram and Facebook, maybe Twitter and TikTok). But you can almost guarantee that posts are once in a blue moon. You don’t need posts every day or super-duper high-quality stuff; you just need to show people you are still around.
Google Business Profile.
Most businesses have one. If you don’t, you need one. Once you do check that all key information (e.g., contact number, website URL, etc.) are available. Then make sure you have recent reviews. They help to show you’re a legitimate reputable business.
Ads.
If you scrolled through any ad’s library, you would be met by a sea of unappealing and poorly written ads. Most people think you can take any old picture, say your company name, how long you’ve been in business and then you will get clients. They need to directly target your ideal customer and stand out to them.
This may seem overwhelming, but these surface level changes can make all the difference for people finding you, trusting you, and wanting to work with you.
You are now ready to consider the following:
- What do I want to sell?
- Who would need that?
- How do I reach these people?
These should be obvious to most businesses. However, you need to be specific. Give exact details for each question. If you cannot answer these well, then how do you expect to market your business? And how do you expect a customer to find you or know what it is that makes your business the best option?
You should always be scanning your surroundings to see what you can do to improve your business.
The more you notice about the world around you, the more you become aware of this for your own business. Before you know it, you will find stuff everywhere to fix.
This may sound daunting but trust me you would rather spot these things early by asking yourself “what can I be doing?”. Versus waiting around until it slaps you in the face and you are left thinking “what am I going to do?”
Remember, there is money all around you. You just need to funnel it in your direction.
If you are looking for assistance with your ‘money lens’ and fixing any potential weaknesses within your business then