Do you want to win more business?
Well, if you are in business, you most likely do.
Thatβs probably why you have a blog, writing press releases, solo ads, email marketing campaigns and what not.
Yet, most business owners are still looking for ways to win more business.
Actually, wanting to get more clients is a good thing, because it can help you improve your message and the way you portray yourself and your business to the public.
In a way, it keeps you on the edge and forces you to improve.
Winning More Business May be Easier than you Think
If you are craving more clients or customers for your business, because they’re not really knocked at the door, it doesn’t mean that your product or service is bad.
What it means is that there are some important things that you are not doing, or some vital steps that you are not taking.
Entrepreneurs who have plenty of business, have either a well establish enterprise which generates residual referrals and repeat business (those are actually so busy that they canβt even accept any more clients because of it).
Or they have implanted specific strategies that they are applying on a regular basis which keep on supplying new prospects to their business.
To be honest I am myself working at creating more business, and Iβm not at the point where I can afford to give away some of my clients, as some other people in my trade pretend to be.
But as Iβm learning more and more, I am willing to share some nuggets so you can too implements those tips for your own business.
In the meantime here are 5 strategies that can help you generate more clients than you are right now.
5 Strategies to Wind more Business
1 – Tune up Your Writing
Learn how to write better and more valuable content.
What does better content really mean?
Better on its own is a pretty vague term, isnβt it?
You could say, I like better chocolate than vanilla, but that would just be a matter of your own personal taste. Β It doesnβt mean that chocolate IS better than vanilla.
We could compare just about anything under the sun and say that something is better than something else.
But most likely that would onlyΒ beΒ relevant to you. It doesnβt mean that it is so.
However, you could say that you are better at math then I am, because you can crunch those figures much faster and more accurately than I can.
Or yet again, I could say that Iβm better at speaking French than you are, because itβs my native language.
So, now the word better, makes much more sense all of a sudden, doesnβt it?
Well, there are better writings style than others as well.
In this case writing betterΒ especially means making sure you are using writing rules that apply to electronic devices that people use today to read your content these days.
it also means writing more inviting, more entertaining, more captivating, and more valuable content, so the person that lands on your blog for the first time will want to come back.
The more you understand what better writing is the more they will want to come again.
You want people say things like this to you:
“Great post indeed!!!! Iβm so glad to read this article. I found this helpful too. It is such a valuable post to learn good points from. Thanks so much for doing all the hard work to make it easy to understand for all of us. A big thanks to you for sharing such a helpful post with us.Β Thanks”
“I loved the introduction of this post. I have not come across βtelemarketingβ association with blog content. But you are absolutely right! When I think of some blogs and their content, they do sound like telemarketers.”
“This is my first visit to your blog. I am very happy Google redirected me to this page. Every line has something to learn from. I have learned many things from this post. You are talented no doubt. I am waiting for a lot more good posts from you.Thanks”
When youβre getting more and more comments like these, you know that you are on the right track. But what exactly do you have to do, soΒ people will love to read what you have to say?
Here are few pointers:
a) Short Sentences
I’ve said it many times before, but in case you missed it, here it is again.
Always remember that people are lazy in nature, so start your article with sort sentences. Β Especially my Β first 3-4 sentences are rather short.
Why?
Because the purpose of a sentence is to lead to the next.
If your first sentences are too long, people wonβt want to keep reading, they will want to move on to something else.
So, help the lazy reader (that we all are) to hop from one sentence to the next by writing short sentences as much as you can. Especially at the beginning or your article, but keep this trend all throughout the article still.
b) Introduction
Make your introduction interesting. Start with a story if you can.Β Take the reader for a ride as they swallow your introduction one bite after the other.
Make them WANT to know more.
Make them want to know where youβre going with this.
They are very thirsty for good information, tempt them in your introduction, so they will keep reading.
This technique can be learned, by the way.
Try it and see what a difference it can make.
c) Value
Pretty and short sentences are great, but of course that doesnβt excuse you from adding value.
Your introduction is the appetizer, but now you have to give your visitor the plat de resistance.
Thatβs where value comes in.
No matter how well-crafted your introduction is, what makes it more valuable is the value that you add after that introduction.
The value is your content, your topic, how you discuss it in your article, and how it will help the reader/your potential customer.
I have been writing about content quality for a while, but be sure to check some of my recent posts on the topic, suchΒ my posts titled how to write magnetic content for you target market and what is descriptive writing and why should you use it.
2 – Identify What Matters to the Customer
Once youβve understood your basic writing rules that will rock your blog post, article, press release and everything you write for the promotion of your business, you need to use that content wisely.
What will help you tremendously in your writing is identifying what matters to your customer.
People will want to do business with you if you are addressing their needs and wants, not just because your business exists.
I am not going to expand too much on this today since Iβve recently written extensive posts on the topic of communicating with your potential customers the smart way on my posts titled, why is your blog not attracting your ideal client and How to convey the voice of your brand.
Give those articles a read if you need help with better identifying with your customersβ needs.
3 – Ask for Referrals to your Current Customers
Another way to win more business is by asking referrals to your current customers.
An interesting thing about referrals is that if you donβt ask for them, there is a 50% chance you wonβt get any.
How do I know?
Because I often noticed that when I have asked for references, people were not necessary thinking of giving me any, unless I asked. Even if they seemed to be glad I did.
If you do a good job, and people know someone that could benefit from your products or services, they will refer you to their friends, and relatives. If you donβt ask, they may not.
They donβt know your situation. They donβt know if youβre booked right now. There could be many reason why they might not give you referrals.
So, donβt assume that they will refer you to other potential customers, unless you ask for it.
4 – Expand your Business
If you have a product or service, think about expanding by adding to what you already have.
Think aboutΒ addingΒ another product or service that will complement what you have, if it applied to your business.
Adding something to what youβve already created is always easier to do, and mostly likely will be taking much less time to create.
For example, you could use your blog content or you email marketing content to create a special report or even a book that you could either sell or use as a promotion tool.
If you donβt know how itβs done, ask me.
5 – Raise your Prices
If you are still new in business, you might be surprised to hear that keeping your prices and fees low is NOT the best way to win more business.
On the contrary.
Too low prices can make your service cheap in the eyes of the potential customer, and they might not trust that itβs a valuable service.
Raise your prices and win more business by promoting it well, and providing quality.
Raising prices is a wonderful strategy to get more business.
It works like a charm.
I know for a fact that freelance writers and coaches that are charging low fees are not at all the ones who get the most clients.
On the other hand, those who do charge higher fees, have plenty of business all year long.
So, your turn now. Please, leave your comments and inputs below…
Hi, Sylvaine,
I agree 100% with the points of this post! Well-written and encompassing.
I know that referrals have helped me grow my online business. And it is something that every entrepreneur doesn’t do regularly.
Thanks for the reminder!
Sue
P.S. Thanks for being on SB this week!
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Hi Sue,
Somehow your comment ended up in spam and so are mine on several blogs as well. I have no idea why this happens, but it’s fixed for you now.
Yes, very few people think about referrals, but as you have noticed yourself referrals do work and increase your business.
Thank you for confirming this for me π
You’re welcome, I was honored to be among some fantastic bloggers, and I love to have some people in my Star of the Week showcase π
Have a great week ahead.
Hi Sylviane,
Each time I visit you here, I am so grateful because I’m always trying to improve my writing skills. I get hesitant sometimes to push that publish button because although I check it a few times, I want to get better and better at it. I’m a work in progress when it comes to effective writing.
The introduction is something I try so hard at to get readers attention. I also try to provide the best content I know how. But I always think to myself how much better it could be. I know the more I do it the better I can become.
When it comes to expanding my business, that is where I’m focused the most. And in doing so, writing well is imperative. To me it is a journey, and one that will never end.
Thanks for these tips. I always try to put them into action.
-Donna
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Hi Donna,
Your writing is actually very, very good. I don’t even know why you worry so much π
Your writing style is right on. You often use story-introduction types, and I can’t say that I’ve ever seen any errors. Plus your posts have gotten better and better those past few months as well.
So, sit down and relax, my friend. You’re doing great.
As for me, English is and always will be my second language and at times I feel that it’s waiting to get me. And sometimes it does. I’m horrified if I see a mistake that I let slipped. Thank God I did get better over the years though, but that’s work π
Thanks for you kind words and for your visit as always, Donna.
PS: Came to your blog earlier, but didn’t see a new post yet π
Hi Sylviane,
I really appreciate your perspective on the technical aspects. Learned a long time ago that short sentences are important because of how text on a screen appears to our eyes and our brains.
These tools are not books. I read books often and sometimes you can have a half page or more in just one paragraph. But that doesn’t work online because people scan the text and if they find something they like they’ll go back and read it. It’s interesting that the concepts I learned in graduate school for speed reading apply to the web.
As people scan the text their brain puts it together for them until the decide to go back and really read it closely.
I would also like to add, and you know this coming (lol),that if you want more business you have to get very clear about the business you are “really” in.
If you can say it succinctly, concisely, and with inspiration you will earn more business because you ought to be attracting those who are able, willing and ready to pay for your product or service.
There, I said…. whew… I feel better now. rofl…
I hope you have an incredible week Sylviane!
~ Don Purdum
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Hi Don,
Yes, big difference between a blog post and a book, even though I do not like long paragraphs anywhere. Period. At least it’s more acceptable and readable in a book.
To this day there are still few bloggers I know who write big chunk paragraphs and I’m sure many people are not getting all they have to say because of that.
Oh, yes, and I do refer to your favorite phrase a lot these days. I actually even mentioned you in one of my upcoming guest posts in April π This helped me a lot as well. I’m getting clearer and clearer on that. It’s a process.
Thank you for coming. That was funny, because I was just at you blog and there you were when I got here.
You have a fantastic week too!
HEY SYLVIANE,
I completely agree with all the points that you have mentioned in this post. To win business you need proper plan and strategies and this post is one of the best post I’ve found on this controversial topic. There are many ways to win business but I’m sure the 5 strategies that is mentioned in this post are very worth to read.
No doubt valuable writing is very much important and short sentences make people to read more easily.
I love your blog and the posts you shared on this blog. I also featured one of your blog post in my recent published case study on my blog. I want my readers to grab these tips from you!
Keep it up,
-Mustafa
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Hi Mustafa,
Thank you for coming and I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this.
Oh, I had no idea, I will check this out right away. Thank you so much for linking to one of my post.
You have a wonderful day!
Hey Sylviane,
Numbers 1 and 2 really hit the spot for me. Whenever you write a post on writing you always give us something to take frOm it. I remember a post you did on power words that stuck with me. As a matter of fact I ended up writing a post about it!
Also identifying what’s important to your audience matters a whole lot. There are some posts that my audience is all over while there are others that seem like a ghost town as far as shares and comments. With that said you pick a choose which topics get the most response and stay focus on them.
Thanks for the share Sylviane! Have a great week!
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Hi Sherman,
Thank you for the compliments. Really appreciate the positive feedback about what I write.
When it comes to comments on blogs, frankly at this point I am not sure what brings commenters to a blog post, because as I read lots and lots of blog post on a weekly basis, I have long realized that’s not necessarily the best posts that get the most comments. Truth be told I feel that has to do with lots of other factors.
Thank you for your feedback. Always appreciate your input and your visiting here π
Hey Sylviane,
I have to agree with you. I’ve read some of the most amazing blog posts that get less comments than the ones that are considered mediocre. There has to be some other factors when it comes to comments and I think one of them has to do with influencer marketing!
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Hi Sherman,
Yes, I’m glad you noticed that too Sherman. Any influencer will win over someone who’s not. That’s what we all need to be π
Hello Sylviane,
I know I have come a long way from when I started but I also know that it wouldn’t hurt if I tuned up my writing skills. I’m trying to write more because I remember you said the more we write the better we get.
I learned a couple new things today which is why I love coming to your blog. It never occurred to me to ask for referrals and I thought it would hurt me if I raised my rates. I’m going to consider that one for sure :).
I think it’s great that you have your hands full with clients…that’s a very good thing. Here’s to your continued success!
Have a great week!
Cori
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Hi Corina,
I am here to encourage you to write, write, write and YES no matter at what level you are you will improve. We can ALL improve.
I remember that recently you told me that you’ve never written a thousand word post yet, but that also becomes easier and easier as you do it again and again. It used to be a time when 400 words was almost a struggle, and now I can jot down 1000 words like a breeze. It’s just practice. That’s all. You can do it too.
Yes, asking for referrals and raising prices are two super easy techniques that can help you win more business.
Thanks for coming, and have a fantastic day!
Hi Sylviane,
Your advice is fantastic, although it means a lot of learning and some unlearning as well.
It’s sometimes tough to remember that writing for the screen and writing compelling content requires a different mindset.
I guess that practice means perfect, the more you write the better it gets and the more sure you are of what you’re doing.
Justin
Hi Justin, and welcome here.
Yes, I guess as a start it requires a different mindset to write for the computer or mobile device screen, but once you get that down, it’s actually pretty easy to do.
I totally love my short sentences and paragraphs now, and wouldn’t want it any different.
Thanks for coming by and for your feedback.
~Sylviane
Hello Sylviane,
A great post indeed. Who does not want to grow his business? While most of us do have the will, many lacks the proper understanding.
Here your post will be a great help. Understanding what the costumer wants offering that exact service to them is the key for success to any business.
Also when it comes to online business, making your content customer ready is equally important.
Thanks for the awesome piece. Have a great day!
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Hi Nisha,
Yes, it’s one thing to know that we would like more business and another to know what to do about it. These are just few helpers.
I’m glad you enjoyed your read here.
Have a great day!
Hi Sylviane,
As always all your points are spot on.
Tuning our writing is something we should always working on. I know I am guilty as charged with not writing short sentences. It’s a weakness I am working on. Even my daughter said it to me. LOL. You know also English is not my mother tongue. But it will get better.
We can provide value with our content when we know exactly what our audience want, and also by being clear on what we are doing, what we are good at in solving our audience problems. That’s what I will work towards in the coming few weeks and months. You know.
Thanks Sylviane for a valuable share as always. Have a great week ahead.
Be Blessed,
Neamat
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Hi Neamat,
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Yes, I know that English is NOT your first language, but it’s pretty darn good. Better than some English natives I come across regularly, you know.
Yes, I know that you are trying to figure out your direction right now and I’m sure you’ll find your way. I’m just looking at the title of your last post, right now, an will come by very soon π
You have a wonderful day!
Thanks for sharing…! Honestly, the article is fulfill of business education meaning. I learnt a lot from here.
I would agree with you. Content marketing is best ways to dial with winning more business. By producing the quality contents that those educated the people about some better solution to their problems or life experience, it would benefit of spreading our business branding. What we have to is how to create those quality content. Anyway, thanks for your ABC step and tips.
Also, I love you said about customers’ referral. I think that it is the great idea to spread the business marketing through the word of mouths. Furthermore, it is only the marketing technique for promoting our business but it is a ways to share value with customers and build loyalty.
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Hi Kimsea,
I very glad that you valued this article and that it could be inspiring in any way.
There are many ways to win more business, but here are just a few we can implement right away.
Thanks for coming by.
Hi Sylviane,
Well that was a nice post indeed, specially the 2nd point about the needs of the customers. You really need to get in the mind of the customers, to know what they really need. Asking about the doubts to them might make things more clear to you and also you client will realise that you are seriously involved with their work.
After all happy customers means more customers.
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Hi Piyush,
You are totally right we need to get in the mind of our potential customer the best we can, in order to attract the right customer for us.
That’s good marketing.
And yes, the happier the customer the more they’ll come back and send referrals.
Thank you for coming.
Hi Sylviane,
It is always a pleasure to read your posts. I love your writing style. Your posts are always so clear.
My business is my blog and I have no desire to do one on one coaching. But nonetheless whenever I write I think like a coach and try hard to make the message very clear to my readers.
I have a lot of newbie visitors, and I always try to place myself in their shoes and explain everything in an easy to follow language and style and I include images when necessary.
And when I read a comment and from it I get a feeling that perhaps the article may have left some doubts, I go right back, re-read the article to see if I can improve it. Often I do.
When writing a long post I try to include a Table of Contents, or an Index for easy navigation. As well, I use bullet points and ordered lists a lot. It seems to make the posts more palatable.
Take care
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Hi Dita,
That’s the way to go. Anything that makes our message CLEARER is good.
For example, a short sentence is easier to understand than a long one. And a short paragraph is easier to read than a long one.
Bullet points are always great.
I’ve never used a table of content in a post, but great idea too. You’re doing great. And yes, writing blog post is coaching in many ways.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for coming by.
Hi Sylviane
A post with really wonderful suggestions to boost a business.
I love the point No5 more particularly. If a product has lower price tag it may reflect in some way it does not have high quality that is why being sold so cheap. In marketing it is taught that never compromise on quality and price and both should be as high as possible.
Asking the present customers for referral is also a good suggestion and those who are fully satisfied with a business do refer it to others because of helping them.
Creating quality in contents to make them quite easier to understand and retain for future use is also must to bring more visitors and convert them as customers.
Thanks a lot for sharing a wonderful post.
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Hi Mi,
Yes, that’s exactly right, low price doesn’t bring more business because people tend to believe that’s a low quality product, as you said. Which according to market standards it is. In this world, quality has a price for the most part, so that’s why this is the case.
Thank you for coming, and for your input π
Hi Sylviane,
My first time on your blog, I read a bit about you on Enstine blog, so am not surprise to see the great work you’re doing here.
Two points really crab my attention in this post, “ask for referral and raise your price.
I once told that the best way to make people do something is to tell them to do it.
And thinking that if our bid is low compare to others, every buyers will want to business with us.
That”s wrong, thanks for sharing.
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Hi Shamsudeen,
I’m very glad you met me at Enstine and came check me out here.
In writing and coaching business, low prices have absolutely no bearing with success. When your price our too low, people tend to think that you’re not good at what you do. So rising your price in those instances if your prices are too low is a must. It work for me π
Thank you for coming.
Hi Sylviane,
Finally, I get the great strategies from you again. At first point, at this time I’m studying more in depth how to write a good article and I instantly practice by creating valuable content and of course every article that I have made, it can provide benefits for others. The third sub-points that you have described highly good for me to apply as well. Sometimes I find the difficult to make the article with full paragraphs. But you give good advice about writing, and I always enjoy your writing with short sentences and still are related to each other.
Regards
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Hi Sylviane,
Did you merge all your blogs into one? Away from blogosphere for a while and here I land on a complete overhaul with a nice design π Awesome!
Excellent tips for publishers. Not only to win more businesses, but also to win more readers. Isn’t it? π I think you have unique perspectives on this matter, blended with own experience.
Most of the time you talk about #1 throughout your blog, and it takes me back to the day I’ve read your first blog post. It wasn’t even about blogging, but loved your writing. Now this is a point well made, Sylviane – “… writing rules that apply to electronic devices that people use today to read your content”.
I know that many bloggers do get wonderful compliments, but again they feel they are not up to par. Sometimes, including myself. I believe everyone has their own way of how they wanna cater to their audience. May be, we shouldn’t worried about that after all? I hope not.
You nailed it with #2, indeed. Tacking their needs / wants is must for more businesses, and sometimes they are like “how did you even read my mind?” π
Now you have given us a lot to think about, Sylviane π
Have a lovely weekend there dear.
Cheers…
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Hi Mayura,
My oh my, you had not seen my new look yet? Wow, Mayura, you haven’t been around the block in a while I realize. That happened late November – early December. I’m so, so happy with it and everything has become so much easier for me now.
Are you returning to blogging then?
I’m glad you enjoyed this post and so nice to see you again π
Hi Sylviane,
So nice to be here as well dear π I will be around more for sure.
Wow… Really? I must have missed the update π I’m glad it’s much easier for you now, and a smart move on publishing at one place.
Happy blogging π
Cheers…
Mayura invites you to read..How to Secure Your Twitter Account
Hi Sylviane,
I concur with the strategies you have shared in this post. Indeed, they are easy strategies that can help one win more businesses.
I want to add that one of the missing links in getting more businesses is the application of marketing strategies.
Many business owners or freelance writers can draft or create quality contents but they lack the required marketing skills to sell.
Marketing of services is key to winning more businesses. This can be achieved by good promotion, engagement, and giving the customer a sense of satisfaction at all times – before, during, and after promotion!
This comment was left in kingged.com as well.
Hi Sunday,
Thanks for your input here. I haven’t been on Kingged in a while, because I’ve been so busy, but I’ll try to make it there soon.
Thanks for your comment.
Offering the right value to the customers after knowing their needs is the real strategy of getting more success in business. You must always take care about the satisfaction also by delivering the committed products or services on time with quality.
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Hi Gautam,
Yes, offering value is really the most important thing in business.
Glad you found my blog and thank you for coming by and commenting.
Great post. These are some excellent ways to boost your business. Writing better and more valuable content on your blog will give you more exposure as people will be more incline to share your article and see you as an expert in your field. I also think knowing what is valuable to your customer is important because is allow you to focus on providing what your customers want. This will give you opportunities to get great feedback and they will help market your business through word of mouth.
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