How to Make Your First Sale in 30 Days

Among the many goals of budding entrepreneurs, there is one in particular that stands out at the beginning of every business venture: getting your first customer. Ironically, this critical goal is also one of the biggest challenges starting out. But it doesn’t have to be. The key to getting your first sale in 30 days is by driving targeted traffic and engagement before you open.

Your business may be polished and ready to go, but if your ideal customer doesn’t know you exist, sales will remain depressingly stagnant when you first start! The sooner you push your company out into the world, the sooner you will get what you want: your very first customer(s)!

How to Get New Customers

There are several different tactics you can employ to attract new customers and persuade them to buy your product or service. Let’s jump in...

‍

Offer an Enticing Discount

A highly effective strategy for beginners is to pair tempting deals with personalized messages.  The first step in this two-part process is creating an offer that people can’t refuse. Some examples of irresistible deals are:

• A “one-time exclusive offer” for new customers
• BOGO deals or a deep discount (upwards of 60% off)
• Spin to Win and other in-store and online games
• Free shipping and handling
• A free product of their choice in addition to their purchase
• Discount code in exchange for your email address  

‍

‍

Share It with Your Social Network & Fans

Once you’ve nailed down your offer, it’s time to reach out to your immediate network. This may include your friends and family, business connections, social media followers, and anyone else who knows who you are and trusts you. Here are a few ways to let your network in on your exclusive deal:

• Share the offer on your personal social media networks in a public post
• Send direct messages to people on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
• Email personalized messages to your friends and family, especially those without a social media presence
• Ask people to share your business with their network

‍

This technique is the perfect way to attract potential customers to your site, especially at the beginning. Without the credibility and brand recognition that more seasoned businesses have, a discount, in the beginning, can lure people in and give them a reason to buy from you.  

‍

Invest in Your Website’s SEO

57% of B2B marketers stated that SEO generates more leads than any other marketing initiative, indicating the need to invest in your website’s SEO. If your website shows up on the first page of Google’s search results, it is much more likely that people will click on your page and begin browsing your site.

Think about it – when was the last time you browsed through the second and third pages of search results when looking for something? Optimizing your site can be a challenge, but hiring an SEO specialist can help. Charisma Communications in Tampa offers affordable marketing consulting and SEO services.

Of course, some clients prefer to start with our DIY option that allows you to manage SEO and content internally while learning from our marketing pros! Contact us today to learn more.

‍

Get a Head Start with a Soft Launch

A great way to get your first official sales in a short amount of time is to start with a soft launch. This gets out new business kinks and gives you the chance to key testimonials online. Your friends and family clients are more likely to give you video testimonials too and do whatever they can to help out your brand.  

‍Pro tip: Promote your soft launch with the help of a PR company. They can help expand your reach while showing your venue or brand off in its best light!

‍

Use Paid Advertising on Social Media

Social media is one of the most powerful tools to promote your business, and coupled with a few boosted posts, it can completely transform your monthly sales.  The platform you advertise on will depend on your target customer, so make sure you know where they live online and what types of content resonate with them.

From there, you can establish a budget for boosted posts which, depending on the platform, can be a very budget-friendly undertaking. Even $10 can make a difference. When creating these ads, you can customize them to target specific groups of people of varying age groups, geographic locations, and more to make sure you are reaching people who will be most interested in your business.  

‍

Make Your First Sale

At the end of the day, just remember that no matter how new you are in the entrepreneurial world, you have the power to make your first sale in 30 days. Exclusive discounts, SEO, and paid advertising are a few tools to get you there, but keep in mind that these techniques are specifically for getting those first few customers.

Once you bring them in, you’ll want to utilize other marketing tactics (think email)  to keep them interested and create loyal customers!  

‍Need help in the marketing department? Call our Tampa consultants! Book a consultation with Charisma Communications today!