Get All Access for $5/mo

How to Grow Your Business By Finding New Customers If you want to attract new customers, you can't just market to them. You need to start a conversation with them.

By Jason Feifer

To find out how to do that, we set up a business consulting session with a real entrepreneur—and filmed it so you can benefit too!

Tiffany Castagno has a problem that'll be familiar to many business owners. Her HR consultancy, Cephr Consulting, is thriving in her hometown of Pittsburgh—but she wants to expand into new marketplaces. How can she do it? Digital marketing expert Terry Rice walked her through a strategy.

It begins by connecting with your target customers on LinkedIn. Instead of trying to sell something to them, invite them to participate in a survey. Ask them questions about what they're struggling with, and what shifts they're seeing in their industry. Then use those responses to create a wide range of content—white papers, keynote talks, social media posts—that help frame you as an authority in your field. You can also use these insights to build a lead magnet, such as a downloadable guide or checklist, that helps you gather email addresses of potential clients.

In effect, you're asking what your future customers want—and then providing it right back to them. Now you've started a conversation, positioned yourself as an authority, and primed a successful sales call.

For more, watch the video above!

This series is brought to you by Mailchimp. Learn more about customer journey best practices and tips from Mailchimp.

Jason Feifer

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor in Chief

Jason Feifer is the editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine and host of the podcast Problem Solvers. Outside of Entrepreneur, he is the author of the book Build For Tomorrow, which helps readers find new opportunities in times of change, and co-hosts the podcast Help Wanted, where he helps solve listeners' work problems. He also writes a newsletter called One Thing Better, which each week gives you one better way to build a career or company you love.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Entrepreneur Exclusives

3 Simple Ways to Boost E-Commerce Sales

Why Your First 1,000 Customers Are Your Most Important

How to Grow Your Business By Finding New Customers

How to Beat The Working From Home Blues (60-Second Video)

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

At 16, She Started a Side Hustle While 'Stuck at Home.' Now It's on Track to Earn Over $3.1 Million This Year.

Evangelina Petrakis, 21, was in high school when she posted on social media for fun — then realized a business opportunity.

Health & Wellness

I'm a CEO, Founder and Father of 2 — Here Are 3 Practices That Help Me Maintain My Sanity.

This is a combination of active practices that I've put together over a decade of my intense entrepreneurial journey.

Business News

Remote Work Enthusiast Kevin O'Leary Does TV Appearance Wearing Suit Jacket, Tie and Pajama Bottoms

"Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary looks all business—until you see the wide view.

Business News

Are Apple Smart Glasses in the Works? Apple Is Eyeing Meta's Ran-Ban Success Story, According to a New Report.

Meta has sold more than 700,000 pairs of smart glasses, with demand even ahead of supply at one point.

Money & Finance

The 'Richest' U.S. City Probably Isn't Where You Think It Is

It's not located in New York or California.

Business News

Hybrid Workers Were Put to the Test Against Fully In-Office Employees — Here's Who Came Out On Top

Productivity barely changed whether employees were in the office or not. However, hybrid workers reported better job satisfaction than in-office workers.