Finding Customers

When you start your business the first critical months are centred around developing a customer base.

Finding and keeping customers is an essential part of your businesses development. You can take a structured approach to developing your customer base and research prior to starting your business will be invaluable as you start to focus on finding customers. Make sure that you choose the right customers for your product or service.

Think about your target market. You may want to set some parameters such as, geography, age group, sector. You will need to establish whether your focus is business to consumer, business to business, or a mix of both.

Hints and TIps

• Understand who will buy your product or service.
• Understand why your solution meets their need.
• Are there segments in your market that are not currently well served?
• Is your product or service providing a new solution to an existing need? Is it innovative?
• Develop a primary list of target customers
• Develop a strong marketing message
• Define your routes to market and determine which medium will best suit your target market: advertising, networking, tradeshows, charitable events, telemarketing, sales events, e-newletters, radio,TV. etc.
• Online promotion and social media can be a cost effective way of reaching your customers, however you will need to understand how you can achieve the best results.

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Source a list of Target Customers
Discover routes to market
See advertising and sponsorship opportunities
Search for networking event