How to Get More Clients and Boost Your Business

If you’ve wondered how to get more clients and thought what you needed was a “natural-born salesperson,” you’ve fallen for one of the most potentially destructive myths facing businesses. Many people believe that the ability to sell is an innate trait found in the DNA, right alongside eye color, height, and athletic ability.

Some people have personality traits that are well-suited for sales, such as an engaging personality, an ability to make friends easily, and a hefty dose of self-motivation. But what makes the “natural-born salesperson” concept destructive is that it leads people who aren’t blessed with an abundance of these traits to believe that they cannot be successful at sales. Unfortunately, when you think that you won't succeed, you usually don't. Read on for tips on how to get more clients below.

There’s a science to sales

While there may be an art to selling effectively, the most successful practitioners of that art know that there is a proven science to sales that can dramatically increase their odds of success.

How to get more clients through sales is a business process that can be measured, managed, predicted, and improved. The better you understand how the sales process works, the more effective your efforts will be, and the time you devote to selling will become more satisfying and profitable.

Selling involves many different processes. Although situations and specifics may differ, we can simplify the typical steps:

1. Identifying and locating a target market
2. Reaching out to prospects within that market
3. Connecting with an individual prospect
4. Setting an appointment with that prospect
5. Conducting the sales effort in that appointment
6. Performing any necessary follow-up activity
7. Completing the sale
   
   

How to get more clients with a Sales Strategy

Like most things business, how to get more clients is fairly simple if you have a strategy in place. Here are a couple of examples of tried and true methods on how to get more clients if you use them with consistency.

• Measure against goals: Goals should be based upon past performance, the individual’s capabilities, current market conditions, and the potential customers in the company’s new business “pipeline.” To ensure you are reaching your objectives, it is also important to regularly measure your progress toward your goals.
• Ask for referrals: There is nothing more powerful than a personal referral. Getting more clients might be as simple as asking for them. Your network may not even be aware that you are accepting more clients.
• Network: Networking increases your personal brand and extends your circle of potential clients. Make sure you focus on networking with people who could be your potential clients so your time is well-spent.
• Participate in Facebook Groups: Social media is free to participate in and share your knowledge and expertise. Similarly to networking, sharing in the right groups at the right time will impact your return on these efforts.
• Partner with similar businesses: Complimentary businesses are a great opportunity to offer your service in collaboration or conjunction with theirs. This two-for-one “deal” is often seen as an advantage to clients.
• Contact old customers: Situations are constantly evolving so don’t be afraid to reach out to old customers to see if now might be a good time to re-engage. Always remember that a “no” could mean simply “not right now.”
• Solicit for reviews: Like referrals, a review shows quality, character, experience, knowledge, and customer service. Only ask for a review from clients you know will give a positive review.

Sales and marketing often go hand in hand. How to get more clients is often tied to the marketing messaging and channels you use to communicate. Keep in mind that consistency in both sales and marketing is the key to how to get more clients.

The value of persistence

The difference between average salespeople and top performers is a willingness to persist in the face of rejection. As consumers become more saturated by media messages from all angles, persistence becomes even more critical. You may need to try eight to ten times before you connect with someone. Unfortunately, the average salesperson stops trying after two attempts. And, while most sales require several follow-up calls, many salespeople give up after following up just once.

The science of selling proves that the greater your persistence, the greater your success. For example, making just one or two extra calls each day can equate to 500 additional contacts over a year.

Time is your most precious resource

Many businesses wonder how to get more clients when time is in short supply. Because it's impossible to create more time, managing what you already do effectively is a critical sales component that takes planning. Being aware of your objectives and planning your activities into your schedule, estimating the time it will take to accomplish each task, and incorporating this into your calendar will help you focus on what’s most important and how to get more clients.

Finally, do your best to avoid activities that are unproductive from a sales standpoint. Reading social media and surfing random websites are obvious timewasters. Still, many other small actions can add up to substantial time away from the sales process, such as socializing with co-workers and taking unnecessary breaks. Failing to delegate tasks to your support staff or vendors also wastes your precious time and doesn’t allow you to figure out how to get more clients. By focusing on accomplishing your highest-priority items, you’ll be more likely to achieve your goals, ultimately resulting in success.

How to get more clients beyond organic growth

Another option to consider for how to get more clients and accelerate the sales process is purchasing an existing book of business. This strategy provides immediate access to new clients and potential business growth. The decision to move from organic growth to growth by acquisition requires taking a number of factors into consideration. A key factor is how to fund the acquisition and understanding your funding options.  If you are considering an acquisition strategy and don’t know exactly where to begin, please feel free to contact us. At Oak Street Funding, we have experts in lending who have helped hundreds of clients make their sales growth goals a reality.

Disclaimer: Please note, Oak Street Funding does not provide legal or tax advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. It is not a statement of fact or recommendation, does not constitute an offer for a loan, professional or legal or tax advice or legal opinion and should not be used as a substitute for obtaining valuation services or professional, legal or tax advice.