Finding new customers is like making new friends! Every business needs them to grow.
Here is all about finding people who might like your product or service and convincing them to try it. Effective strategies to acquire customers, such as referral programs, rewards for repeat purchases, and partnerships, are essential to stand out and drive growth.
An essential part of this process is choosing the right customer acquisition channels to reach potential customers effectively. It’s a multi-step process that involves understanding your target audience, crafting your message, and using various channels to reach them.
Good client acquisition strategies bring in new customers, nurture long-term relationships, and grow brand name and revenue.
This blog explores the 15 best customer acquisition strategies with successful examples to grow your business.
Before exploring strategies, it’s important to understand how the customer acquisition funnel works.
Start Free Trial
Highlight real-time activities like reviews, sales & sign-ups.
Customer Acquisition Funnel Stage
The customer acquisition funnel, or the marketing funnel, visually represents the customer journey. It shows a potential customer’s various stages before becoming a customer. Measuring the customer acquisition cost at each stage of the funnel is crucial for optimizing your strategy and ensuring cost-effective growth.
➥ Awareness
At this stage, potential customers become aware of your brand or product through marketing efforts.
➥ Interest
Once aware, potential customers become interested in learning more about your offering. Great website content, informative blog posts, and good email marketing can nurture this interest.
➥ Consideration
Potential customers compare your offering with competitors here. Highlighting unique selling propositions (USPs) and showcasing customer testimonials becomes important.
➥ Decision
This is where potential customers make the final purchase decision. Offering free trials, demos, or discounts can incentivize conversion.
➥ Loyalty
The journey doesn’t end with the purchase. Building customer loyalty through good customer service, loyalty programs, and exclusive offers encourages repeat business and word-of-mouth marketing.
By understanding the customer acquisition funnel, you can tailor your strategies to effectively guide potential customers through each stage, ultimately leading to successful conversions.
15 Best Customer Acquisition Strategies with Examples in 2024
Below, we review some common and successful methods for acquiring new customers.
1. Content Marketing
Content marketing is a magnet for your ideal customers. Instead of pushing your product or service, you create informative and engaging content – blog posts, articles, videos – that speaks to the problems and interests of your target market.
This will make you an expert in your field, and people will trust you and choose you as the best solution.
Example: Let’s say you sell fitness trackers. You could create content around healthy meal plans, workout routines, or the benefits of wearable technology. This valuable content would attract people searching for fitness information.
They see you as a helpful resource and are more likely to consider your fitness trackers when they’re ready to buy. Content marketing organically brings qualified leads to you through search engine optimization and social media, making it a powerful new client acquisition strategy.
2. How about giving Free Trials, Demos or Samples
Let potential customers try your product or service out. Free trials, demos, or samples let them test the value proposition and see how it solves their problems before they buy.
This removes purchase barriers, increases conversions, and builds trust. By letting them play with features and functionality for free, you can help them make an informed decision. What kind of product or service do you have, and what’s the best trial format for your audience?
Example: A language learning app offers a 7-day free trial with access to all features, including interactive lessons, personalized learning paths, and progress tracking. Potential users can try out the app and see if it fits their learning style before subscribing to a paid plan.
3. Use Social Proof Strategy
Social proof is a powerful tool in customer acquisition because it helps to build trust and credibility with potential customers early in their decision-making process.
- By displaying recent purchases and highlighting positive customer reviews, you reassure potential customers that others are buying and trusting your products.
- Creating urgency in sales with low stock alerts and live visitor counts can also prompt quicker purchasing decisions.
- Displaying customer testimonials further influences decision-making, and promoting limited-time offers and special discounts provides added incentives.
Here’s an example that effectively demonstrates the social proof.
Featuring endorsements from influencers leverages their credibility while showcasing trending items and guiding customers toward popular products.
4. Social Media Marketing
Social media in 2024 is about building relationships with your audience on the platforms they use most, not just broadcasting sales messages.
- Respond to comments and messages quickly, answer questions, and join in on conversations. This shows you care and builds trust.
- Share a mix of content, such as eye-catching visuals, informative posts, and behind-the-scenes peeks, to keep your audience visiting your website often.
- Reach a bigger audience using social media advertising to target users based on demographics, interests, and online behavior to get your message in front of the right people.
Effective customer acquisition efforts on platforms like TikTok are crucial for lead generation and customer retention.
Example: A restaurant uses Instagram to showcase its food, share customer reviews, and give followers a behind-the-scenes look into the kitchen. The ads target people who follow local food bloggers or like fine dining, a winning combination for getting new customers.
5. Improve Organic Search Marketing (SEO)
Being at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) is key. Gone are the days of finding the busiest location. Search engines are the new prime real estate; SEO is the key to unlocking it.
SEO is crucial for online visibility. Most search engine users (95%) stick to the first page of results, so customers won’t find you if your website isn’t there. Google shows only 10 organic results on the first page (and sometimes less due to paid ads), so the competition for those spots is intense.
But you can use SEO to climb the SERP ladder and get more customers. The answer lies in implementing SEO best practices across three areas. Check our SEO Guide to learn how its done.
A Great Example: piktochart’s SEO Success Story
Piktochart, a platform that allows users to create professional designs without graphic design knowledge, is an excellent example of SEO’s power.
It worked big time. In just three months, Piktochart outranked Canva for the high-volume keyword “presentation maker” and received 995% more organic clicks and 860% more signups.
Piktochart’s success story shows that SEO can work even for businesses competing against big players. It also shows the importance of quality over quantity. Piktochart got better results with fewer backlinks than Canva.
Start Free Trial
Highlight real-time activities like reviews, sales & sign-ups.
6. Reach Your Ideal Customer with Targeted Ads
Use platforms like Google Ads and social media advertising to target specific demographics and interests precisely. Paid ads can be a great way to drive organic traffic back to your website or landing pages.
Example: A software company runs Google Ads targeting users searching for project management tools. Their ads highlight the features of their product and lead users to a free trial sign-up page.
7. Email Marketing
Build an email list of potential customers and nurture leads with targeted email campaigns. Offer valuable content, exclusive offers, and personalized recommendations to convert leads into paying customers.
Example: An online clothing store captures email addresses at checkout and sends personalized emails based on browsing history. They might offer discounts on recently viewed items or promote seasonal collections to drive sales.
8. Influencer Marketing
Partner with influencers in your space to promote your product or service to their audience. Leverage their credibility and reach to build brand awareness and trust with their followers.
Example: A sustainable beauty brand partners with beauty bloggers who advocate for eco-friendly products. The bloggers feature the brand’s products in their tutorials and reviews to a highly targeted audience interested in sustainable beauty solutions.
9. Referral Programs
Encourage existing customers to refer your product or service to their network. Offer rewards like discounts, credits, or exclusive benefits for successful referrals through a referral program. Referral programs leverage the power of word-of-mouth marketing and can be very effective in getting new customers who trust existing customer referrals.
Example: A food delivery app offers existing customers a discount on their next order for every successful referral. This encourages them to share the app with friends and family to expand their customer base.
10. Public Relations-Turn Headlines into Customers
Get featured in publications, blogs, or online news. Proactive PR can help increase brand awareness and position your business as the expert in your space.
By creating newsworthy content, reaching out to journalists, and building relationships with social media advertisements and outlets, you can get valuable placements that showcase your expertise and attract new customers.
Example: A local bakery partners with a food critic to host a tasting event. The critic writes a great review in a local paper, which is then shared on social media. New customers who trust the critic’s recommendations come in, and the bakery becomes a must-try.
11. Community Engagement
Join online communities and forums related to your target audience. Offer advice, share insights, and position yourself as a resource within the community.
This builds trust and positions your brand as the solution. By consistently providing valuable content and having genuine conversations, you can build a loyal following that will trust your brand and see you as the go-to expert.
Example: A financial advisor is active in online forums related to personal finance. They answer user questions in a helpful and informative way, offering budgeting tips and explaining complex financial concepts in simple language. They may occasionally share blog posts or articles they’ve written on related topics. Still, the focus is on building trust and being seen as a reliable resource that is not too promotional.
12. Great Customer Service
Good customer service retains existing customers and influences potential customers through word-of-mouth marketing. Respond quickly to all inquiries across all channels, resolve issues fast and thoroughly, and go the extra mile to create a great customer experience.
This builds trust, and potential customers will buy from you, knowing they’ll be cared for if needed.
Example: An online clothing store has a no-fuss return policy and free shipping within a big time frame. They also have a live chat where customer service reps can answer sizing questions and recommend styles based on individual preferences. This customer-focused approach builds trust, and potential customers will buy knowing they can return if needed.
13. Loyalty Programs
Reward your loyal customers for their repeat business. This can be point systems, tiered memberships, exclusive discounts, or early access to new products. Loyalty programs encourage repeat business and create community among your most valuable customers.
Example: A coffee shop has a loyalty program where customers earn points for every purchase. Points can be redeemed for free drinks, merchandise, or exclusive menu items, encouraging satisfied customers to return.
14. Offer Freemium Models
This model provides a basic version of your product or service for free and premium features for a fee. The freemium model lets potential customers try the core value proposition without a commitment and potentially convert them into paying customers for the premium features.
Example: A project management software company has a free plan with limited features. This lets users see the software’s value before they upgrade to a paid plan that unlocks advanced features and functionality.
15. Remarketing Campaigns
Retarget potential customers. Remind those who’ve shown interest in your product but haven’t bought yet about what they missed. Use targeted ads on various websites and platforms to rekindle their desire. Encourage them to revisit your site and complete their purchase.
Example: An online furniture store shows ads to website visitors who have browsed specific product pages. These ads might offer discounts or highlight product features, reminding visitors of their interest and encouraging them to return to the store to buy.
16. Host Webinars or Events
Host educational webinars or online events related to your target audience. This lets you showcase your expertise, generate leads, and promote your product or service in a valuable and engaging way.
Example: A marketing agency hosts a free webinar on social media marketing tips. Attendees register with their email addresses, and the agency gets valuable leads. During the webinar, the agency promotes its social media management services and potentially converts attendees into paying customers.
Try these acquisition strategies to attract new customers, build a loyal customer base, and grow your business in 2024.
Start Free Trial
Highlight real-time activities like reviews, sales & sign-ups.
Benefits of Creating a Strong Customer Acquisition Strategy
Why is this strategist crucial? Let’s explore and note!
- A plan to attract,
- engage and
- convert prospects into customers
Grow Sales and Revenue
The most obvious is the direct impact on your bottom line. A good strategy brings in new customers, which means more sales and revenue.
You create a pipeline of prospects by targeting your audience and showcasing the value of your product or service.
This targeted approach means you’re attracting customers most likely to buy, so you get the best return on your marketing investment.
Brand Awareness Spotlight
Brand awareness is key in a crowded market. Customer acquisition tactics put your brand in the spotlight, making you more visible to prospects.
You can increase brand visibility and recognition through marketing campaigns and targeted advertising.
This attracts new customers and positions your brand as a leader in the industry.
Building Brand Loyalty
A customer acquisition strategy goes beyond acquiring new customers. It’s about building the foundation for long-term relationships.
Understanding your target audience’s needs and preferences allows you to tailor your messaging and offerings to them. This builds trust and creates a connection, so customers return and refer others.
Customer Insights: Know Your Audience
A customer acquisition strategy requires you to dig deep into your target audience. This process gives you customer insights.
You learn their demographics, buying behavior, pain points, and aspirations.
This information allows you to refine your strategy further and create campaigns that resonate more and attract better-quality leads.
Efficient Marketing Spend: Get the Most Out of Your Budget
A scattergun approach to customer acquisition means wasted resources and poor return on investment.
A good strategy means your marketing is targeted and efficient. Analyzing data and measuring campaign performance lets you see which channels and tactics work best. This means you can optimize your marketing budget and focus on the strategies that deliver the highest customer acquisition rates.
Leverage Competitive Advantage
Nowdays fast-paced market, you must be ahead of the competition. A customer acquisition strategy means you can anticipate market trends and adjust accordingly.
Understanding your target audience’s changing needs and preferences allows you to tailor your messaging and offerings to remain relevant and competitive.
This proactive approach to customer satisfaction also means you’ll continue attracting and retaining new customers.
Scalable Foundation: Future Proof
A customer acquisition tactic is a blueprint for future growth. Knowing your audience and their channels, you can scale your efforts as your business grows.
This foundation means you can adapt your marketing teams’ approach to new markets and customer segments while keeping your core brand intact.
Serious customer retention and increased acquisition are not a one-off fix; they’re an ongoing investment in your business. So, get these benefits, and you’ll have a steady stream of new customers and brand loyalty.
Boost Conversion Instantly
Add Social Proof & Urgency to your website
Conclusion
Customer acquisition is the lifeblood of any business. A strong customer acquisition strategy can attract new customers, build brand loyalty, and grow your business.
A well-defined strategy will help you target the right audience, craft compelling messages, and use the most effective channels to reach them.
It will also give you valuable insights into customer behavior, allowing you to improve your approach continuously. As you implement these strategies and track your results, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful and sustainable business.
Here are some quick tips for creating a successful customer acquisition strategy.
- Set SMART goals. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals will help you track your progress and measure the success of your strategy.
- Focus on customer lifetime value (CLTV). CLTV is the total revenue a customer is expected to generate over their lifetime with your business. By focusing on CLTV, you can acquire profitable customers in the long run.
- Track your results and make adjustments as needed. No strategy is perfect, so tracking your results and adjusting as needed is essential. This will help you ensure that your strategy is always working effectively.
By following these tips, You can create a successful customer acquisition strategy to help your customer acquisition plan achieve your business goals.
