Posted on October 1, 2018 by Anthony Mortimer

Customer Acquisition Ideas – It’s Time to Think Differently

Your business wants new customers. Unfortunately, this desire is not a unique one. Along with every one of your competitors, you’re always searching for innovative ways to create relationships with prospects, and in a world that continues to evolve technologically, this is becoming increasingly difficult.

The powerful problem of customer acquisition

The internet has done more than fulfil our apparently bottomless desire for pictures of unimpressed cats and dogs wearing clothes – it’s completely revolutionised the decision-making process behind every online customer purchase. As people are bombarded with targeted ads, emphatic emails, and delicious deals, the competition between businesses has grown exponentially.

Equally, the absolute ocean of options available to customers today means they aren’t easily satisfied. They’ve developed wandering eyes, and high expectations, which might explain why 75% of consumers expect a consistent experience wherever they engage with your brand. So, in such a fiercely competitive market, how can you differentiate your business?

Change your thinking

You need to be different. Difficult, we know, when every single business seems to be thinking the same thing – but it’s not impossible. You’ve just got to get creative, and as original thinkers and industry innovators, we’re sure you’ll be up to the challenge. If you’re wondering where to start, begin with a willingness to venture out of your comfort zone.

Stop thinking of customers as buying-machines, and consider them instead as emotional and thoughtful people. Rather than attempting your typical sales pitch, try to build a relationship with the person you’re talking to. Here’s just a few ways you can do this…

• Demonstrate your competence by positioning your company as industry experts (make sure you actually are industry experts). This shows your customers that you respect their intelligence, which is vital when building a new relationship.
• Ask for their opinion – what could you do better? Illustrate to prospects that you both value their thoughts, and are happy to hear them, to build the strongest foundations for a relationship.
• Hit up your existing clients and contacts to see if they’ll recommend you to their friends, family and colleagues – and offer them a reward for doing so. Establishing trust is so important when forging new relationships. By utilising the trust you’ve already built with your current connections, you can form new bonds, and keep on growing your customer base.

One of the best ways to demonstrate that you’re genuinely thinking about the customer’s experience is to show them. Of course, any old action won’t do. Remember how it feels to receive yet another box of curiously grim-tasting liquor chocolates from Aunt Sally at Christmas time – especially when she rather vehemently insists that you scoff the lot in front of her. It’s not a pleasant experience, and that’s putting it politely. No, any old action, and indeed, any old gift won’t do.

Transform your actions

Instead, show prospects that you’re thinking about their experience. Empower them to treat themselves to something they actually want – and they’ll be sure to thank you for it.

To create new customers, encourage them to spend it well all year round with an M&S gift card, and make everyone happy.

For more information on the changes in customer experience, purchases and acquisition, check out our infographic today… Customer acquisition needs a new approach.