Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

How to Grow Your Business By Finding New Customers If you want to attract new customers, you can't just market to them. You need to start a conversation with them.

By Jason Feifer

To find out how to do that, we set up a business consulting session with a real entrepreneur—and filmed it so you can benefit too!

Tiffany Castagno has a problem that'll be familiar to many business owners. Her HR consultancy, Cephr Consulting, is thriving in her hometown of Pittsburgh—but she wants to expand into new marketplaces. How can she do it? Digital marketing expert Terry Rice walked her through a strategy.

It begins by connecting with your target customers on LinkedIn. Instead of trying to sell something to them, invite them to participate in a survey. Ask them questions about what they're struggling with, and what shifts they're seeing in their industry. Then use those responses to create a wide range of content—white papers, keynote talks, social media posts—that help frame you as an authority in your field. You can also use these insights to build a lead magnet, such as a downloadable guide or checklist, that helps you gather email addresses of potential clients.

In effect, you're asking what your future customers want—and then providing it right back to them. Now you've started a conversation, positioned yourself as an authority, and primed a successful sales call.

For more, watch the video above!

This series is brought to you by Mailchimp. Learn more about customer journey best practices and tips from Mailchimp.

Jason Feifer

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor in Chief

Jason Feifer is the editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine and host of the podcast Problem Solvers. Outside of Entrepreneur, he is the author of the book Build For Tomorrow, which helps readers find new opportunities in times of change, and co-hosts the podcast Help Wanted, where he helps solve listeners' work problems. He also writes a newsletter called One Thing Better, which each week gives you one better way to build a career or company you love.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Entrepreneur Exclusives

3 Simple Ways to Boost E-Commerce Sales

Why Your First 1,000 Customers Are Your Most Important

How to Grow Your Business By Finding New Customers

3 Stress-Busting Relaxation Exercises You Can Do Anywhere (60-Second Video)

Business News

'Creators Left So Much Money on the Table': Kickstarter's CEO Reveals the Story Behind the Company's Biggest Changes in 15 Years

In an interview with Entrepreneur, Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor explains the decision-making behind the changes, how he approaches leading Kickstarter, and his advice for future CEOs.

Business Ideas

87 Service Business Ideas to Start Today

Get started in this growing industry, with options that range from IT consulting to childcare.

Business Models

How to Become an AI-Centric Business (and Why It's Crucial for Long-Term Success)

Learn the essential steps to integrate AI at the core of your operations and stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Marketing

5 Steps to Preparing an Engaging Industry Presentation

You can make a great impression and generate interest with an exciting, informative presentation. Find out my five secrets to creating an industry presentation guaranteed to wow.