You put together the business plan, signed the lease, designed an informative website and…*crickets*.
It can be pretty discouraging when you put in the effort, but you’re not attracting your ideal clients. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to get you there! However, always remember that to attract your ideal customers organically, it takes time. Remember the cliche saying, "Rome wasn’t built in a day," well, that applies here too!
First Things First – What Does “Ideal Client” Mean?
An ideal client is someone who reflects your values. Someone who checks every box regarding your target audience. To determine this, you need to dig deep and reflect on your own personality. What makes you tick? How do you live your day-to-day life? Once you determine some unique characteristics about yourself, then you’ll be able to focus more on the type of customers you wish to work with.
“But, I want to work with everyone!”
Well, wouldn’t that be nice! But in such a competitive market, it’s critical to find your niche, and target people who fit your business model.
For example, if you own an interior design studio and help clients style their modern homes, then what type of clients are you trying to attract for future business? Of course, the answer is clients who love modern aesthetics and appreciate your unique style!
Master the Elevator Pitch
This seems straight forward, however when someone asks you the question, “What do you do?” how would you answer that question?
Too often, we blank and can’t think of the best answer, but this is your time to shine! One of the best ways to attract ideal clients is word-of-mouth - how will anyone ever understand the services or products you offer if you don’t even know?
The solution for this is to develop a one-sentence pitch, practice in the mirror, and share it with anyone inquiring about your business offerings. How will your company solve potential customer’s pain points? This answer is key to understanding who you are trying to reach.
The next step is to repeat this pitch over and over again so when you deliver it to prospects you sound natural and confident. Showing extensive knowledge of your business from a customer’s point of view will not only open the door to new opportunities, but will attract ideal clients that fully understand your business model and how you can fulfill their specific needs.
Let’s Get Digital
Promoting your business online is the golden ticket to attracting ideal customers. More than 1 billion people use Instagram every month and the power of email marketing is only getting stronger.
Having an online presence will not only help you be seen by more people, but you can cater to ideal clients by creating and curating specific promotional materials that fit their needs.
Social media platforms are the perfect way to market to a target audience and grow your following organically. Plus, posting an image and description of your company is free! You can even use social media to build professional relationships by engaging with prospects and making your brand feel more approachable.
How ironic to create a business profile on Facebook or Instagram, yet not use the social media platform as a means to socialize. Just remember, when you engage with your audience, you and your business become relatable and will bring in customers who are drawn to your mission.
Then, there’s email marketing. This is a great way to reach out to a loyal customer, continue to build brand awareness, and survey past clients to help you collect data and pinpoint the type of customer who is interested in your product or services.
Targeting ideal customers and building up your client list can be time-consuming and, at times, frustrating. But, with a little patience and persistence, you’ll be impressed with the results and working with your dream clientele in no time!
