You need to continue to attract new customers to ensure your business’ survival. One of the most effective methods of attracting new customers is through a strong communications strategy.

Here are five great ways to use public relations and marketing to attract new customers.

Use your website

Potential customers in need of your product or service may have never heard of you. These days one of the first things people do when they need to find a product or service is jump online and browse the web. Keeping this in mind, you need to make sure you have a solid website as this will be your new customers’ first point of contact.

Once you’ve gone to all the effort to create a website you need to make sure it gets seen. A large majority of people use Google to search the web so this is where you want your website to rank highly. Try optimising your website by using back-links and keywords so it shows up in Google’s search results.

Online listing

Another way to attract potential customers to your website is to list it on an industry online directory. If you’re in the construction industry, the online product and service directory, Infolink has search categories tailored to your industry. Being listed on these types of sites can also increase your website’s Google ranking, even if you haven’t directly utilised SEO for your website, a directory can boost your visibility on search engines.

Advertise

Pay for your business to appear in front of your potential customers. Advertising, if done well, is worth the investment. Research what magazines and newspapers your potential customers read or what radio stations they listen to and place advertisements for your business in popular sections and programs.

Advertise online, position banner advertisements that link back to your homepage on relevant websites. Your chance of attracting new customers is significantly greater with strategically placed advertisements and relevant content promoting your business and your products and services.

Establish relationships

The easiest way to establish two-way communication and relationships with a number of people quickly and free is via social media. Research where members of your industry are interacting online. If they’re on Twitter or Facebook, create an account for your business and join the conversation.

Social media should be used as a means to communicate not to advertise. Watch how it is used by others. Reply to people when they speak to you and answer questions. Post or tweet interesting comments about topical issues relating to your industry and establish a consistent online presence. Let people in, tell them about yourself and your business and attract new customers to your services and product by building trust and credibility.

Start a newsletter or a blog to build relationships with both your current customers and potential customers. Readers can use these to gain a better insight into your business’ product or service.
A more traditional marketing method for establishing relationships is through networking at trade shows which are a very direct way to make initial contact with potential customers.

Word of mouth

Deliver on your business promise report and ensure current customers are happy with your service or product. Word of mouth is a powerful thing and if your customers are happy it is more than likely they are going to tell people. Referrals are a fantastic way to attract new customers.

Most people are hesitant to do business with a company they know nothing about. Employers use references, new customers use testimonials so ask your satisfied customers for theirs. Use testimonials to attract new customers – post them on your website, in your advertising and on your social media accounts.

About Infolink:
Infolink is one of Australia’s largest online directories for the architecture, building, construction and design sectors. Owned and operated by Catch, an online division of Reed Business Information Australia, Infolink provides a comprehensive central online source containing the latest product, company and industry news updates.