"Here are four steps that should set you on a path to finding new customers -- and hopefully to higher sales.
1. Sell more to existing customers.
Generally, that's the quickest path to healthy growth. The best example I've ever seen is the computer store that contacted its entire customer base and reminded them all that they were most likely overdue for upgrading their data storage, networking gear, printers, software and computers. This company created a special promotion and cleared some old inventory in the process.
How could something like that work for your business? The computer store story illustrates how customers can be grateful for reminders, and be ready to say yes to improved performance. Essentially, there are three parts to it: Determining what you can offer that relates to your customers and business offering, how to turn it into an event and how to get the message out to customers.
And when you come up with something, put it into the milestones of your business plan. Give it a start date, end date, and a person in charge. Estimate additional sales so you'll know, for next time, whether you underestimated or overestimated.
1. Sell more to existing customers.
Generally, that's the quickest path to healthy growth. The best example I've ever seen is the computer store that contacted its entire customer base and reminded them all that they were most likely overdue for upgrading their data storage, networking gear, printers, software and computers. This company created a special promotion and cleared some old inventory in the process.
How could something like that work for your business? The computer store story illustrates how customers can be grateful for reminders, and be ready to say yes to improved performance. Essentially, there are three parts to it: Determining what you can offer that relates to your customers and business offering, how to turn it into an event and how to get the message out to customers.
And when you come up with something, put it into the milestones of your business plan. Give it a start date, end date, and a person in charge. Estimate additional sales so you'll know, for next time, whether you underestimated or overestimated.
