“Make a customer, not a sale.” -Katherine Barchetti.

When creating a start-up, there are many things around our heads; the situation gets even crowdier up there when everything starts to flow, and we want to move forward and grow.

What new products can we offer?, How can we step up our marketing game?, Do we need a new business strategy or rebrand? And one of the most popular; how can we get more sales?

But let me ask you, what’s a sale?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, it’s “an act of exchanging something for money.” Nothing more, nothing less.

Customers over Sales

Sales can get some money into your pocket but will sales always be reliable over time?

Of that, we cannot be sure, because inside a vast market with lots of competitors offering the same as you and perhaps for a lower price; if we think about it, just as you do, people care about their pockets and may choose other options instead of yours. 

But How about if we twist our mindset a little and focus on what matters? 

Customers. The group of people who will buy your products, define your brand, help you grow, support you, and be loyal to what you and only you are offering out there; for many reasons, but mainly because of the genuine experiences you are providing them.

As business owners, we must realize that when it comes to customers, quality is essential; as they are not numbers but human beings who want

When concentrating on sales, you might be able to get some deals without any certainty of ever happening again.

However, with some loyal, happy, and very grateful customers, you can have some long-term deals. They will help you create a community, spread the word about you, and support you to the fullest.

Please don’t get me wrong, sales are crucial for a business, but know that we know better; instead of thinking about getting deals, start minding how to get new customers.

Meet Lead Generation: A great way to get customers.

When getting customers, it’s necessary to approach the right ones.

In such an open market moved by technology, so fast and unstoppable, traditional marketing tactics must be upgraded and contextualized to these current times.

Nowadays, it is all about specialization and therefore focusing on your targeted audience, a group of people who will show some interest in what you are offering and might buy; it’s a starting point to approach customers.

Marketo defines Lead Generation as “The process of stimulating and capturing interest in a product or service to develop a sales pipeline, allows companies to nurture targets until they’re ready to buy”

And by using this, you can add value to your brand, build strong relationships with your community and potential customers, provide quality content, and seamlessly increase your opportunities 

within the market.

A successful Lead Generation process must bring quality research and content into the mix; Hubspot affirms that 61% of marketers consider generating traffic and leads to be their biggest challenge, so it will undoubtedly take time, effort, and resources. 

Still, on the other hand, it becomes one of the best ways to get the customers looking to your side.

There are multiple options that, as a business, we can use to make the whole process work, but we better use the best based on our specific aims, needs, audience, and focus:

1. Using Social Media:

Funneloverload  affirms that 66% of marketers generate social media leads after spending only six hours per week on social marketing.

And it makes sense because nowadays, these platforms rule communication. Social media allows us to be visible, to be heard, and have engagement with our audience. It’s also a great way to show what you can offer as a business in different formats; be creative but profound.

It’s Old school Persuasion, made soft, gentle, eyecatching, and digestible.

2.Email Marketing:

The Content Marketing Institute expresses that 79% of B2B marketers think email is most effective for demand generation, and we could not agree more.

Feel free to read our Is Email Marketing Still A Thing? article to find out why.

3.Offer Freebies.

Who doesn’t like some good freebie? Now, who doesn’t love a great quality freebie that will help you towards your goals?

By knowing your audience, you’ll be able to notice what they love, what they watch, what they dislike, and what can be useful for them.

Starting from there, spark your creativity and create some cool, informative whitepapers, wallpapers, templates that fulfill them and make them love you even more.

Quality content gives you a chance to become a source of reliable information; become trusted and inside your customer’s radar.

4.Fun content

Fun can be highly educative and useful. Embrace the fact that we are in a digital era that allows us to use multiple devices where you can mix visuals, sounds, and sensations. Be savvy, think outside the box, and impact.

Tools are endless, so get that content, Poppin!

5.Use Steams Online 

This fifth point is optional but indeed a handy tool.

Steams Online Leads Feature will help you document all your leads, filter them, communicate to them via SMS or email (Because yes, we also have an email marketing integration linked to this feature), and set goals!

Embracing a customer-focused business environment is essential.

Beyond the sales and commercial exchanges, it all goes down to the fact that as business owners, our real goal should rely on helping people make their life more comfortable in our particular way and with our creative approach.

Otherwise, what’s the point of joining the market and wanting to get your product or service out there?