Small Business Growth: 7 Ways to Ask the Right Questions

When it comes to their small business growth, most people think about advertising, mailshots or getting booked on every networking event available. That’s one way of course.

But did you know there’s a much cheaper way to attract more of your ideal clients?

Just ask

When talking to my clients I often hear things like “I don’t know where my customers are coming from” or “I never get referrals”. And the only possible response to that is: “Have you asked them?”

It sounds horribly simple and almost too good to be true. But often small business growth is as simple as asking potential clients for what you want.

There’s a reason why it’s the first rule in advertising copywriting. And there are many ways how you and your small business can benefit from it.

Let’s find out how asking the right questions can help your small business growth!

1. Referrals

It’s not always easy to ask directly for business. It’s one of these little uncomfortable things we have to deal with when selling our own services or products.

But it works: If you ask existing clients to forward your contact details to friends, family members or colleagues who might need your help, chances are they’ll do so.

2. Testimonials

The same applies to reviews: To use positive statements from your customers to attract new business, make sure you have a process in place to ask them for it.

Whether that’s an automated email sent after doing business or asking for feedback at the final meeting of your project; it’s important that you ask.

Find out how to grow your small business with customer reviews.

3. Acquisition

To measure the results of your marketing efforts, find out where your customers or clients have heard about you; ask them at your first meeting or include it in your e-commerce process.

The results can help streamline your marketing and focus on what really works.

4. Call to action

Whether you’re active on social media, a regular blogger, using adverts or newsletters to grow your business – a call to action increases the chance of interaction with your potential client.

As much as a “Check it out!” makes them click the link you’ve posted on Facebook, a question like “What do you think?” or “Do you agree?” encourages people to start a conversation on your latest blog post.

5. Money

It’s hard to communicate when it comes to money. But as small business owner, there’s no way you can avoid raising the question of costs if you want to seal the deal with a client.

The same goes for talking to suppliers or service providers: There’s no harm in asking for a discount for bulk orders or frequent buyers. What’s the worst that can happen?

6. Networking

Do you have your eyes on a specific client? Why not ask for an introduction by one of your contacts or by the organisers of a networking event you’re both attending?

It’s a great way to meet a person and find out if they want to work with you without feeling impertinent.

7. Help

Last but not least, sometimes we simply have to ask for help when stuck on a problem we can’t solve alone. It’s what friends, family, business partners or mentors are for, after all.

In my experience, you are never the only one with that problem, and the solution can be quite simple. If you just ask for it.

When was the last time you asked for something you wanted from your clients or customers?

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