Where to find Customers...

Discussions : Boost your bookings : Where to find Customers...

candlekaren wrote:

I have a great book called "Where to find Customers when you run out of Family and Friends - the Lemon Aid Lead Alphabet". It's by Christie Northrup - the LemonAid Lady. Lots of good ideas in it. I'll post a few each time I log in if I remember....

First one: Advertising..... In this business, the best kind of advertising is word-of-mouth. That's why direct selling is so effective. Inexpensive, target advertising can work in some cases: however the return ratio is not high, so don't get discouraged. Just keep working. If you do want to pay for advertising, make it somple to read, understand, and respond to. Use catchy headlines that call for immediate action. Now, here's the TWIST....

First, take advantage of the advertising of others. Be aware of potential customers who need your product because of what they sell. For example, if you sell items for use in the kitchen, contact people who are advertising catering services, cooking schools, or restaurants. You'll find ads for these businesses in the newspapers, direct mail pieces and telephone books. Another potential customer base would be someone who sells makeup or crafts. They might need something to carry their smaller products in. Could you fill their need? If so, you might even be able to do some cross promoting with them.

Classified Advertising. Many people list their services here. Someone seeking children for their daycare would be aprime prospect if you sell anything related to children such as books, toys, software, and so on. If the advertiser listed her name, personalise the phone call by using it. "Hi Jane, this is _____ from _______. I saw your ad in the paper about your day care service (this will get her attention!). Since you work with children, I have products that will help you ______(list the benefits for her)." From here, you would want to arrange to take a catalogue and/or sample of your product to her. This way you begin to develop a business relationship.

People who already have home-based businesses many times are open to other and/or new business opportunities. After all, they may feel like they are running low on customers or they wouldn't be advertising in the paper. Recruit them!!