5 Golden Rules To Attract The Right Clients And Grow Your Business
by Michael Port June 13, 2018 article excerpt from blog.creativelive.com
If you’re a business owner, consultant, or freelancer, you’ve undoubtedly been through the struggle of trying to grow your business without breaking the bank. In fact, chances are, the desire to acquire more clients, sell higher value services, or ship more products will consistently be part of your business plan. And it should be!
Even if you already have an established offering that’s proven itself to bring value to new or existing customers, there’s always the opportunity to take your business or small business to the next level. You want to book yourself solid with not just clients that pay the bills, but clients who allow you to charge more and build your reputation as a leader in your industry. Business development is no easy feat. Pulling it off requires a very strategic, well-thought-out approach to formulating your value proposition specifically for your ideal clients.
Here’s how you’re going to grow a successful business.
1. Identify Your Target Customers
It’s important to understand why you need a clearly defined picture of your target customers in the first place. If you don’t understand the customer base who not only needs but is willing to pay for your products or services, you’re going to waste a lot of time trying to pitch yourself to the wrong people. You’re not going to be everything to everyone, that’s just not possible – and you shouldn’t want to be. Your goal should be to build a powerful reputation for your impactful services, within your niche.
In order to do this effectively, you need an intimate knowledge of the target customers you’re going after. Learn their interests, what motivates them, if they’re analytical or creative, and most importantly which goals you can help them achieve. For example, if you’re targeting fast-growing technology startups for your PR services, they’ll likely be evaluating you based on your industry knowledge, previous experience in their space, and contacts you have in relevant press outlets. Know your customers and address their needs head-on. Customer service always wins.
