Cultivating a small business beyond its initial customer base can be very challenging. These are some things you can do to grow customer base and your business income.
Get to know your customers
Talk to your customers about what they like about your business and what you can improve on. This will let you know which areas you should be promoting and which areas you need to further develop. You can also ask customers what other products or services they would like to see from you.
Excellent customer service
Oftentimes, customers will choose a small business rather than a franchise because they want the personalised service that is only possible with a small business. Put in the effort to show customers that you recognise and appreciate their choices. This will also increase the likelihood of being recommended to others.
Social media
Use social media to show your customers you are listening to them. People express their opinions freely on social media, which gives you an opportunity to attain genuine and useful feedback for your business. It also lets customers know that you care about what they think.
Networking events
Don’t underestimate the usefulness of networking with fellow small businesses. This will allow you to grow your business relationships and utilise one another to grow each other’s customer base through recommendations.
Give back to the community
Participating in community events is a great way to let people know you exist! You can sponsor your local sports team or help local charity raise funds. This will help build a positive brand image and encourage the community to interact with your business.
You should continually attempt to improve your business. Every now and then, stop and reevaluate the effectiveness of your strategies. If one doesn’t seem to be working, try to be creative with your efforts!
For advice on your business speak with your LT accountant and business advisor. Contact us.