Getting customers for your non tech business
How many times have you come up with a great idea, that you feel really has some legs, but you get stopped by the question; how will I get customers?
I came across this post on Reddit a few days ago.
This is the problem with trying to build a complicated internet based business. There is so much competition that it’s hard to grow unless you have fat stacks of cash to spend on marketing.
That’s why, here at The Steel Road we love non tech businesses.
What type of business should I start to make it easy for me to get customers?
First, it’s important to think of your ideal customer. Where do they hang out? Where do they spend their time, both online and offline?
Then, look for opportunities where you can provide value to your ideal customers, and find where these two things intersect. For example:
Facebook Marketplace
LinkedIn
Private Jet Photography Studio
Instagram
When you start your business with the ideal customer in mind, you can correctly identify where they can find you easily.
FREE Customer Acquisition Strategies
Facebook Marketplace
We love Facebook Marketplace here at The Steel Road. Tons of users, built in messaging tools, and it can connect straight to your business account.
We’ve highlighted multiple businesses that can be built with zero ad spend on Facebook Marketplace.
Local Classifieds
Most areas have local classifieds that offer sections for services and products. Usually they are free to post on and get high amounts of local traffic.
Businesses that do well on the local classifieds are typically service businesses like:
Landscaping
Carpet Cleaning
Window Washing
Power Washing
You get the idea.
Look in your area for sites or newspapers that have classifieds sections.
Craigslist
Thrifty Nickel
KSL
Bulletin Boards
This one may seem old fashioned but stick with me. You know at your local Rec Center there’s a bulletin board on the wall with announcements that 150 people walk by every day. Make an eye catching flyer and put it everywhere you can.
Local rec centers
Libraries
Office buildings
The walls above urinals
Universities
Light posts and telephone poles
Be sure to use a QR code and a good domain to make it easy for people to find your website.
Good old fashioned pound the pavement
The guy who built Dapper (mobile car detailing) went out every day after his day job from 5-7pm and knocked door to door selling vehicle detailing subscriptions.
After 2-3 weeks he had so much work that he was super busy just trying to keep up. This gave him funds to then invest in other marketing tactics and grow his business.
You can combine this with handing out flyers to maximize your time walking door to door.
Posting consistently on LinkedIn can bring incredible amounts of awareness to your business. It’s a great place to network with business owners in your market.
These strategies are designed to get your business started as lean as possible. They aren’t fun or sexy, but they’ll get you your first profits so that you can reinvest and grow the business.