By Michelle Lew
In an era which a good majority sits behind computers with endless information at the ends of their fingertips, finding new clients has shifted from actual word-of-mouth or driving around town to social media and internet searches.
Yes, technology has changed the way a lot of business works. If you don’t have a Web site, your company is outdated. If you don’t show up in a Google search, you’re most likely going to get overlooked.
Thanks to review sites such as Yelp!, CitySearch and Merchantcircle the internet can be helpful in finding new clients.
First, it helps to have an idea of either the neighborhood or industry you’d like your client to be in. Then you’ll be able to look through main listings of local businesses and then go to their personal sites or do Google searches of their company. You can choose whether or not you like their mission, company and services through their site and then add them to your list (or not).
Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter can be a big help for finding new companies. Social media is a free way for new companies to get started and old companies to connect to different customers.
Facebook is no longer just for college-aged people. Everyone (and some of their mothers) is on Facebook and that opens the door to finding clients. Twitter is a very open medium where contacting others or retweeting a post can bring attention to your company. This is an easy way to make potential clients aware of your services.
Even if you personally are not following the potential client, the word of mouth through Twitter is outstanding because retweets and mentions by other tweeters can lead you to undiscovered gems!
From the potential clients you have found through your Internet research, you can then begin your outreach efforts to secure new clients.
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