Every freelancer or novice entrepreneur is familiar with the problem of finding customers. It seems that there is a lot of work and enough for everyone, but sometimes even the best specialists are faced with the fact that prospective customers simply ignore them. Let's consider several ways to find customers.
Instructions
Step 1
You should start thinking about customers long before starting any independent activity: firstly, some of the clients of the company in which you work can become your customers, and secondly, you should not assume that you will find customers quickly. Therefore, it is better to "play it safe" and start looking for them while still working in the office.
Step 2
If you have been working for a long time and you have a lot of experience and many connections, then most likely it will not be difficult to find customers among your friends. Here word of mouth will help: if one of your friends knows that you are a good specialist, for example, in creating websites, then he can recommend you to his friends. Therefore, you should not hesitate to advertise your services among the people with whom you communicate. But don't be intrusive either: someone might think that you want to force him to find you orders.
Step 3
It is important to use the Internet as actively as possible. You can advertise your services in social networks, professional communities, freelance labor exchanges, virtual message boards. It is not expensive to place such ads (and sometimes it is done for free), but the effect can exceed expectations, as more and more people use the Internet. If you speak English, then don't forget about international freelance sites. They are offered by customers from all over the world, and prices are usually higher.
Step 4
Which way to find customers to choose also depends on who your potential customers are. Think about who your target audience is, who needs your services. Accordingly, your ad should be understandable and attractive to them. For example, document copying services are required in courts, so a basement near the courthouse with a catchy copying sign and advertising on the pavement will provide you with a constant flow of customers.
Step 5
Companies offering "mass" services, that is, those that do not have a rigid target audience (for example, if you represent a new Internet provider), can use the services of call centers. For a certain amount, in a relatively short time, you will receive a base of customers in need of your services.
Step 6
There is an opinion that a young business (or not a very experienced freelancer) definitely needs to dump in order to attract the attention of clients. It makes sense, but it is not very profitable for a business or a freelancer: who wants to get less for their services? A reasonable compromise would be to offer discounts - for example, small discounts on the second and subsequent orders from the same customer. You can also think about a quid pro quo: you give the customer a small discount in exchange for the opportunity to post on your website that he is your client. Thus, you create a good reputation for yourself in the eyes of future customers.
