In this article, I would like to share my inputs with you on how to win new customers. Every suggestion mentioned in this article has given successful results to many companies. You just have to apply them for your case, because they can be used in any business.
The key is to understand that customer are seeking information about products/services or they look for information that would help them solve their day to day or long pending problem.
If you are into a business you would certainly have very good information about your business that potential customers might be interested in. You can share this information with them to solve their problem. You, as an expert, can use your knowledge to make people come to you when they need certain information. Once they see you as an impartial source of information provider they would like to reciprocate by considering your product/service when they make up their mind to buy the product.
Sales will follow as prospects come to you for advice, and repeat business and referrals will multiply as trust in you grows and people spread the word. In direct sales to public you can use this technique effectively to gain their trust, which is difficult to build, as they would see you as an impartial party and the next step of buying then becomes much easier.
Whatever your service or profession: lawyer accountant, builder, plumber, car repair, insurance, etc — give away free information and build your reputation as an expert. Like a car repair shop can give free information about good maintenance technique (though this may not be desirable by your business), gas oil detail, information about different car parts, new car launches etc.
To get started, write down 5 tips that you could give to people on what to look for when buying products that you offer. Now use this information to attract potential customers and when a only few of them try to approach you.
If you implement the above sales and marketing tips, you can easily take away business from your competitors because you are offering something valuable they are not.
If you want to leave your current job to start a on your own, then starting a franchise could be one option. Your decision should take into consideration various advantages and disadvantage that a franchise offers before taking steps further.
You should know whether you would like to run the franchise or not? It is possible that you want to start on your own because you do not want do your current job or any job but it does not guarantee that your liking for your own business.
Advantages of starting on your own include:
- Greater freedom over you decisions at work. Decide your own working hours, conditions and arrangements.
- Opportunity to run your own business.
- Working in your own area of interest. Doing something you enjoy, like you can open a retail chain if you like selling something.
Disadvantages of starting on your own include:
- Since you have the complete responsibility of running the business, you would sometimes have to forego the freedom that you have in a job and give priority to your business.
- Your income is not fixed (there is uncertainty) and you only get the money that you have earned for the business. And you might have to live by cutting costs as you might not get enough money at the end of the month to cover your costs.
- If you work from home, you might have family members asking you to commit time to them, instead of work.
- You might have to do some work which you do not like. You might like selling but you would also have to maintain your accounts, work on the legal aspects of the business, sign some contracts etc. As you are the only person doing it, you can not neglect your responsibility towards it.
- In a franchise business you are working independently but still working for/under someone else’s brand name. You would be bound by the rules of the franchise agreement and thus sometimes they might like you to do things that you might not agree with. So if you prefer complete autonomy, you would need to go for starting your own business and not a franchise.
So decide your options of working for buying a franchise keeping the above points in mind.
