Introduction

One big hurdle that any new business should plan to overcome is how to get the first set people to patronize the business. Lots of planning goes into marketing and spreading the word. However, things do not always go as planned and proactive measures are sometimes necessary to get the first set of customers. If you as an entrepreneur get it right, you may be counting on many customers in short time of existence.
So this post will explain at least 3 ways to get those crucial customers that will form the foundation of their fan-base.

3 cost-effective ways to find your first customers

1. Your contacts: Yes, we normally overlook the fact that we have a circle of influence and a big network from our contacts. When you check your phone book, you will probably see lots of people there. These are people you know and have been dealing with for some years. It may include friends, school mates, former colleagues and others. You have lots of contacts in your phonebook, email and other lists you have built. It is better to focus on people you have personal dealings with. They probably are people you have built healthy relationships with and they are willing to support your new business. You have to take a sheet of paper and select from these people to make contact with them. When you build your database of first customers from people that already have confidence in you, it will be easier to tell them about your new business.

2. People you use their services: This is another genius way to get some customers. Do you have a dentist and feel that he can make use of your services, contact him. How about your hair-stylist, fashion designer, lawyer, or other people you frequently use their service. These are people you are already supporting by patronizing them. When you tell these people about your business, they will be happy to support you. Take a separate sheet of paper and make a list of all the people you use their services. Make a call to the in person and let them know about your new product or service. You may be able to get a sizable number of your new customers from these people.

Referrals: We make referrals everyday without getting rewarded for doing so. You have likely told someone about the amazing mall down the street. You must have referred people your friends to various nice goods or services that you used. Now that you have a new business, you can tap into the relationships that exist between your customers and they people they know. So run a referral program and have a reward system for referrals. Let your customers know that they will get some price discount, gifts or other incentives when they tell others about your service. Imagine the power of duplication in referrals. If 10 customers could get 5 of their friends each, that is 50 in total. If that duplication continues when each new person get their friends, the number of customers you got keeps on multiplying. So using the referral system, you could get more customers at a lower rate.

Conclusion

Getting your first customers could be more difficult if all strategies are not exhausted. In addition to standard marketing plans, these methods discussed above could also be a formidable addition to marketing efforts. More research on this subject may also expose you to other methods not discussed here. Do all you can to get your customers. The competition with other businesses can be tough. Therefore take advantage of all marketing strategies to get your first customers. Success starts from there!