It’s no question that in order for your business to thrive, you need an influx of clients. But, not just any clients, you want clients that will pay your rates, that apply your services or products correctly, that refer your business without prompting – you basically want your ideal customers!

While it is true, especially in the beginning stages of any business, that you never really stop reaching out to people, prospects, current and past clients, the easier path to growing through your ideal target market is to actually attract them.

Attract instead of chase? Yes! Below are 5 strategies that you can start using today to start attracting the clients that will appreciate you, advocate for you, and become a part of your tribe.

1. Put out Content that Sticks

How much thought are you putting into the content you are putting out? Who is your content actually speaking to? One of the best ways to make sure your content hits, is to create it around a very specific topic geared towards a very specific avatar (your target audience summed up into one person).

Think about the type of lingo that your audience uses, think about their concerns, what is weighing on their minds right now?

Are we in a particular season of the year that something specific is resonating between what you offer and what your clients need right now?

What small problem can you fix via an Instagram post?

What suggestion can you give that actually helps them from needing your services (yes, you read that right)?

2. Build Authority

The quickest way to build trust is to give without asking. That makes sense enough, but when it comes to business, so many people feel they need to hold back information or answers until the other party does something for them first.

Here is the truth: anyone can find the answer to anything these days via Google, Youtube, social platforms, and chat boards. So, why not be the person/business/entity that comes up when they research it? Why not be the one that proactively gives this type of info (via your emails, your posts, your videos, etc) before they even start searching.

Every piece of advice your ideal audience sees coming from you, across their feed or in searches, is one more instance helping you become synonymous with an authority in your niche. And if they apply the advice you give… That’s when they start referring you on their own, even if they haven’t bought from you yet!

3. Buildup Good Will

When was the last time you put on a free workshop educating your client base on relevant information? When was the last time you presented at a networking meeting or gave a presentation on how to use your product or service more efficiently? When was the last time you invited your email list to a free online class?

Too many new business owners will hit up their contacts near the end of the month, asking for a sale, and even veteran business owners can fall into this trap. That desperation can be sensed from miles away. So, to avoid those actions which stem from a feeling of scarcity, do the opposite: operate from a place of abundance.

How?

By simply recognizing there is never a shortage of clients and there is never a shortage of how much you can give. It may sound counterintuitive, but the very thing we think we lack, is literally the thing that we might actually need to give first.

Want more clients? Give to your would-be clients first, and watch what happens.

4. Know Your X-Factor

After reading the previous three strategies, you might be thinking to yourself, “Ok, I get it, I need to give more…but, won’t that lead to a boatload of clients that are only looking for free or the cheapest thing in town? I don’t want those clients!”

The answer is no, and here is why: The constant giving without expectation will build your authority, and build your brand. This will help those who cannot afford your services or product, but at the same time solidify you as someone who knows what they are talking about to your preferred market.

What we haven’t talked about so far though, is how you present your information in the preceding three strategies. And this is only something you as the business can do: you speak it, deliver it, and help through your unique voice – through the thing that sets you apart from everyone else in your industry.

This isn’t a call for gimmicks, it is a call for you not to be afraid to show how you are in the office, how you really treat customers, how you genuinely enjoy what you do, how you are the no-brainer choice to go with.

It is your unique voice, along with that intangible thing, that makes you so different from other entities. Are you faster than your competitors? Are you more playful? Are you delivering higher value?

How can you set yourself apart from the rest of the market? What can you do that is still authentic to you and your company culture, but is an obvious separator from other companies?  Give this one some serious thought – I promise you it is right under your nose!

5. Leverage Your Wins

I have come across countless businesses who have awesome stories about positive client experiences – but they haven’t put any testimonials, reviews, or case studies out there to show others about it!

Social proof is a real thing. People want to see things they can relate to. If they see how you successfully helped a customer with a situation they are dealing with, they can relate to that person and internally desire the same outcome. “Hey! That is the exact problem I am dealing with now… so maybe this company can do the same for me.”

Whether it is a service or product, a positive experience or something you “wowed” your customer with – put it out on your website, social pages and beyond. Testimonials from happy and grateful clients stating how you solved a real problem, in their own words, is some of the most invaluable marketing and PR you could ever ask for. Same for 5 Star Google reviews (or any other platform where your prospects go to for research).

Case studies are in a class by themselves, because this is where you can really breakdown in depth how you took your client from overwhelmed point A to the freedom of point B.

Your clients are smart, informed, and are constantly getting hit left and right with people wanting their attention. Incorporate these strategies into your current client acquisition systems and watch how you start to stand out even more over time – and yes, how you start to attract your ideal clients! Reach out if you need further help with these strategies!