3 ways to get customers

Key Concepts

• Customer Acquisition: The three primary methods – paid advertising, content creation, and direct outreach.
• Social Media Algorithms: How platforms help content reach target audiences.
• Outreach Strategies: Utilizing email, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn for direct customer contact.
• Brand Building: The importance of establishing a brand presence, even for local businesses.
• Shift in Advertising: The transition from traditional advertising (TV, billboards) to social media dominance.

Customer Acquisition Strategies for New Businesses

The core question addressed is how to acquire customers for a new business without an existing social media presence. The speaker outlines three fundamental approaches to customer acquisition: paid advertising, content creation, and direct outreach. Each method, however, inherently relies on social media platforms.

Paid Advertising

The first method is utilizing paid advertising. This involves running advertisements on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. A key drawback is the financial investment required; businesses must allocate capital to fund these ad campaigns. The speaker doesn’t detail specific ad costs or ROI metrics, but emphasizes the need for monetary resources.

Content Creation & Algorithmic Reach

The second strategy focuses on creating content specifically tailored to the target audience. The speaker highlights the power of social media algorithms. When content is relevant to a defined demographic, the algorithms effectively distribute it to potential customers, increasing the likelihood of conversions. This method, while not requiring direct monetary investment like advertising, demands time and effort in content development and consistent posting. The speaker notes the hope that targeted content will lead to purchases.

Direct Outreach & Platform Utilization

The third approach is direct outreach, encompassing various methods. These include sending cold emails, utilizing WhatsApp messaging to existing contacts, and leveraging tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator for direct messaging (DMs). LinkedIn Sales Navigator is specifically mentioned as a tool for targeted outreach on the LinkedIn platform. The speaker points out that even this seemingly independent method relies heavily on social media platforms for contact and communication.

The Inevitability of Social Media

A central argument is that, regardless of the chosen acquisition method, social media is now integral to business success. The speaker states, “if you are interested in starting a business and you’re like man but I hate social media, you’re leaving a lot of money on the table then especially if it's an online business.” This emphasizes the significant financial opportunity lost by avoiding social media engagement.

Local Businesses & Brand Building

The discussion extends beyond online businesses, acknowledging the relevance of social media for local businesses as well. The example of a local bakery is used to illustrate this point. While foot traffic is a traditional source of customers, the speaker argues that actively building a brand on social media – sharing photos of products like cakes – increases visibility and attracts more customers. This demonstrates that even businesses with a physical presence benefit from a digital marketing strategy.

Social Media as a Job Requirement

The speaker frames social media engagement as a fundamental aspect of modern business ownership. They state, “social media is just part of your job.” This perspective reflects a significant shift in the advertising landscape, moving away from traditional methods like television and billboards towards a social media-centric approach.

Advertising Landscape Shift

The speaker explicitly contrasts the current advertising environment with the past, stating, “It’s no longer TV and billboards for advertising. It actually is primarily social media.” This highlights the dramatic change in how businesses reach their target audiences and the necessity of adapting to this new reality.

Conclusion

The primary takeaway is that social media is no longer optional for businesses, even those operating locally. Whether through paid advertising, organic content creation, or direct outreach, social media platforms are essential for customer acquisition and brand building. Avoiding social media significantly limits a business’s potential for growth, particularly in the online sphere. The speaker advocates for embracing social media as an integral part of the business owner’s responsibilities.