How to Get Your First Customers
by
Flora M. Brown, Ph.D.
All rights reserved
Copyright 2005
Your first customers often are your relatives and friends. But soon you will need to seek customers elsewhere.
There are several sources, but networking is the easiest and most affordable way to build a customer base. Your most effective networking takes place among the kind of customers you would like to get. Think about where they gather.
Business networks are the most common. A variety of professions are represented and members often count on leads from each other. They meet regularly, sometimes having weekly breakfast and dinner meetings. Groups such as BNI, Leads and Women's Referral Service fall into this category.
Civic groups are popular in many cities. Here you will meet other professionals and business owners, as well as civic leaders. Chambers of Commerce, Elks, Rotary and Soroptomists make up this category.
No matter which group you join there are several tips to help you benefit from membership.
- Attend meetings regularly.
- Develop a strong and memorable 30 second introduction.
- Carry an ample supply of business cards with your information and a call to action.
- Collect business cards from others. Make notes on the back about what you learn about the member.
- Follow up the next week with the members you met.
- Show genuine interest in the other members by learning about their businesses and offering them tips or leads.
Find out more about getting customers in our weekly newsletter and business success products.
Ready to start or grow your business? Read all about it in many popular and informative books.
About the Author
Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her websites, blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies. She is mother of four and grandmother of three. When she's not traveling she enjoys her home in Anaheim, CA.
