HOW TO FIND CUSTOMERS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

we all know that, One of the constant concerns of business owners is finding customers, and finding new customers constantly. Isn’t that why we are in business? Yet it apperas to be one of the hardest thing to achieve when the business starts.

This problem isn’t just common with new businesses, we are all on this table

You have a good, oh, even great product or service. is that all it takes to succeed? No. There must be people constantly patronizing, they bring the food to the table.

You can apply all the strategies, get active on social media, your facebook page is active, your instagram is popping – and you may even be getting likes; are they coming back to patronize?

Know that, once you start a business, the search for customers will never stop.

how will you find them?

1. What is Your Plan? they won’t just drop from the skies, you need to set out a plan. and that starts with – What kind of customers are you looking for? define your ideal customer. This will be determined by your products or the service(s) you offer. Who are the people you want to attract to the business? set this all out ,it will be your first guide.
2. Are you visible? can your customers see you? you can be in lagos and the people who need your products or services are in Abuja. many business owners attach sentiments and emotions to their location, even when they know its not working. Some claim “i’ve been here for long, i can’t just move like that” – What if the market has moved? Are you aware that market moves?
3. Take advantage of potentials – meet them and interact with them. In simple words – SHoot Your Shot!!! If someone looks like the customer you would want, interact with them on their pages, face to face if you happen to meet them, let them know what you can offer. Do not be scared of making moves – its either you get a Yes or a No and that is part of business.
4. Advertise – you need to push your business out for the world to see. Adverts vary, which one do you think will work for your business? – the one your audience or target market is more likely to notice quickly. Age range has a thing to do with this – older audience may be on radio, younger ones -on social media – and social media has levels and preferences based on age, social standing etc. Billboards, flyers etc. Just push the business out for the world to see.
5. Do Promos and Offers that can attract. Take advantage of seasons.

hopefully, you can use any of this or all. Getting customers is not as difficult as it sounds or appears to be, it is all in your hands, stop waiting, make your move today!

One customer is your link to a chain of customers.

click on the video below to hear me speak more on this.

if you have any questions, feel free to drop them

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BUSINESS FOR YOU

We all get to that crossroad point of not really having a clear idea of what to do, or we have too many ideas and we are there juggling all the pot pourri of options ,looking for the best to pick and settle with.

do not stay too long on the fence, choose a side.

when you have a number of options. what do you do?

lets take a few tips on this today-

know your strength – no matter what you are doing right now, or what you plan to do, you know your own strength. dont let anyone lead you wrongly. even when your friends think you are strong in one aspect, many of us know the real areas of our strengths. this is no time to follow the crowd and ‘wannabelong’. The route to success requires you speaking the real truth to your own self.

in you industry or field, you know the areas you work comfortably at. Stressing yourself by trying to belong, will only kill your zeal. it will make you keep cutting a tree with a dull axe. find your strength zones.

the best key i will drop for you today is – what you want to do vs what the environment needs?

weigh it well.

are you set out to do what you love or what your environment needs.

align your passion to meet up with what is needed where you are, thats your top secret to sales and profits.

Being faced with different options is normal, now sit and decide which one is really needed where you are. Pick on that business first. its those small ideas that sum up to make big millions one day.

and if your dream is to do all, start with one. just make that move or share your ideas with someone that can give you a honest opinion and help you grow.

ADERONKE OLUBANJO IS THE PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTOR AND CEO OF IBADANCITY FASHION COLLEGE. THE LEADING FASHION COLLEGE IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

^{SHE HAS HELPED HUNDREDS OF ENTREPRENEURS FIND THEIR FEET IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES OF THEIR CHOICE. SHE IS A TEACHER, SPEAKER AND TRAINER}.

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email – aderonkeolubanjo@dgvstyles.com

HOW ARE YOU SETTING THE YEAR IN LINE

I started 2021 by firstly telling myself “No Rush”

I think we’re all just used to setting new goals. Setting new targets, how do I make it big this year and all that….

But, the year isn’t running anywhere – this doesn’t mean we should slacken down – Yet we move!

Here’s my short first welcome video just for you. Enjoy and make the year memorable

Follow me on Instagram @dgvstyles and @ibcityfashioncollege

I am ADERONKE

ANKARA LOOK BOOK COLLECTION BY FASHION STUDENTS – IBADANCITY FASHION COLLEGE

ANKARA LOOK BOOK COLLECTION BY FASHION STUDENTS – IBADANCITY FASHION COLLEGE

HOW TO START A SMALL FASHION BUSINESS

Are you thinking of a new side business to start this year?

Is fashion or sewing on your list?

If yes, this post has some information and guides for you.

If I ask why you’re choosing sewing or fashion, your answer could be –

– You’re looking for means of generating side income. Either from home or you eventually plan making it bigger. This is a good enough reason to consider starting a side business.  We are in the era of multiple streams of income.

Why sewing? Maybe you have deep interests in fashion. Or you just don’t know why, you just like it. Sewing is a trending business – Always trending.

To start a sewing business, you do not need too much capital. You can start with a small budget and work your way up to the top.

Start with the essential tools and equipment. Don’t Invest in every fancy equipment, buy the ones you need urgently. Some equipment will only result in tying down your capital.

Get a good sewing machine. How do you know one? We should have an old post that talks about it on this blog. There will be a revised edition soon.

Set it up and start working from your small space.

Before this, triple check your finishing skills. Customers may come easily, little issues can turn them off especially in this sewing and fashion business. 

Make your jobs speak for you.

Start by designing clothes that will attract more customers to you for yourself. You are first contact person, they will look up to you.

Keep practicing all the styles you can think of now. Use yourself as the experiment, it’s safer than using customer’s clothes for experiment.

Get the essential sewing materials. While learning or training, you would have noticed some supplies you’re always using eg bias, threads, multiple needle sizes, different Scissors, trimmings, fusibles- stay (different ttpes), zippers etc

Starting your business won’t be difficult if you start by working with your budget.

Make a list and sort in order of priority.

Start with that one client and give it all it takes .

Memories of Day out with the Students of IBADANCITY FASHIONvCOLLEGE

Memories of Day out with the Students of IBADANCITY FASHIONvCOLLEGE

” I REALLY NEED TO START MY OWN BUSINESS”

This is you?

if yes? lets talk…

welcome back to ,my blog and i am Aderonke Olubanjo, the Principal instructor of a leading Fashion College in Nigeria, an EDI (Entrepreneurship Development Institute) for the Central Bank of Nigeria under the AGSMEIS scheme, i am also a Unisex Fashion Designer – cap with many feathers right? well, it all started one day and with just one step too.

MY NAME IS ADERONKE

I get asked a lot of times about how i started, well, i started with just 1 step. when people say they started from zero, i pause to think, really? nah… we just call zero like that, its not really zero, everyone of us started with one step, it could look like nothing to you, but you bet it, its 1.

it could be as small as a decision, an interest, a thought, a plan, a wish or even something you like about someone. That’s your step 1. I started with that step 1 too. if i did, you can too.

If you are thinking about starting your own business now, no matter what field it is, let me just drop some few tips for today.

What practical steps have you taken to analyze the problems in your field? the problems are there, and you will need to look at them critically. How can you solve them? if you only look at the juicy parts of the business, when the cloudy days come, they will shake your stand.

Have you also sat to ask yourself how much exactly you will need to start the business?

if you have a mapped out vision board, this is where it comes to play.

what does your dream business look like? I strongly believe in the “Big Picture” If you don’t have it, your focus might be shifting here and there.

The Big Picture guides your steps as you build the business from day one, it makes the navigation easier.

WHERE SHOULD I LOCATE MY BUSINESS?

let me just say – Where you are wanted / needed.

don’t put your business where the competition is too tight or choky and unhealthy.

You need a good plan that is practicable. not some adopted resources that works for someone abroad, can it work in our own business environment?

Don’t rely on resources alone, can it work where you are?

Are you ready to give it all it takes. the ride has not been smooth and jolly for me, nor any other business owner you know. It takes a lot to start and a lot more to run it.

to be continued………

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HOW TO GAIN AND RETAIN CUSTOMERS

Your customers are the currents driving the business. Without them, nothing is happening.

This is why you should take them as important as you take the business itself. Having them seems easier than maintaining them, in my years of experience.

They come with their differences, thus, you need to find a way around handling their differences, and not giving your business or yourself more problems. “As much as you try, you cannot keep or satisfy them all – just keep doing your best daily”

Let’s start with this question, if you can answer it, we’re good to go.

Do you know who your clients or customers are?

If you don’t, take a pause and define them first. You don’t want to be shooting at no targets.

Knowing who they are and where they are is one of the steps to growing a successful business.

Let’s assume you now know them, how do you retain them, maintain them and attract more? Let’s dig in….

What do your customers really want?

1. Do you know what they want or need?

What are they looking for?

Don’t sell what you want to sell, sell what they want to buy.

Many business owners are concerned about their plans alone, any plan you make towards making profits without considering your customers, will ne a hectic task. Your business centers around them, rememeber.

In your line of service or products, look around at what others are offering- which your customers have already seen, then look for what might be missing that you can add and attract them with.

If your business isn’t solving real problems for them, they will only keep looking, checking you out without results.

2. VALUE YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS

Making your knowledge look cheap won’t attract customers that will help you add value to it. They will approach you and deal with you the way they see you.

If you dont value yourself, how do you expect them to?

Your confidence should speak with each step you take . Shaky confidence is what makes many good business owners hide their faces and the confident ones with lesser skills will keep showing up and cashing out.

Work on yourself!

3. INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY

Get your business visible, clearly noticed and seen.

you can have great strategies, great products, not getting it out is like hiding under a canopy or an underground store.

Marketing is not an instant yeast. It grows with continuity and constant development.

Get your business noticed an many platforms – radio, social media, billboards, all search engines you can come by, networking etc.

4. BRANDING

Your brand identity plays a major role in your business growth. Many things add up to this.

Your name, colours, logo, office space, business card, so many. It depends on how you start it, just start somewhere.

Create some uniqueness for your brand that will get you noticed quickly when you appear.

And remember you are a walking billboard for that business. What messages or information are you passing on when you leave for work, meet people, when they walk into your office, when you post online, etc.

5. QUALITY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

In business, customer experience ranks your business. Word of mouth advertisement is one of the most effective ways of getting known, and this can only come as a result of quality customer experience.

It births good referral without you paying a dime.

How can they have that experience they want to share with the world with you?

It could also come in many forms. –

Reception- the way and manner you receive them and make them feel welcome.

Prices, Discounts, Pro Bonos, Extras, Gifts and a whole lot more.

Good customer experience is a win one win more strategy.

With these few tips, you can get some immediate results in few weeks. Give it a shot.

Principal Instructor- IBADANCITY FASHION COLLEGE

Ibadancity Fashion College is a leading fashion and Entrepreneurship college in Nigeria.

A CBN/NIRSAL certified Entrepreneurship Development Institute.

We offer all fashion related courses and Business development classes specially designed to suit each business. Either in group sessions or one on one consultancy sessions.

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@ibcityfashioncollege

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@aderonkeolubanjo

Facebook Page – IBADANCITY FASHION COLLEGE

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+2348081067070

CURVY GIRLS ROCK

Curvy is pretty when you wear the right outfits.

Some outfits can make you appear bigger if not well styled.

Always look out for comfort

Simple boubous, maxis makes you feel easy without being over-conscious of your body

Go for colors that flatter your skin tone.

Darker colors make you appear slimmer, invest in them. But be sure it fits your skin tone. For really dark-skinned people, brighter colors may give the pop- effect.

When wearing big tops, opt for leggings or smart fitted bottoms to give perfect compliment

Wear your stripes the give you slim and tall. appearance. And wear them vertically.

Horizontal stripes will make you appear wider.

Embrace your curves and look your best always even when indoors.

@dgvstyles

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN YOUR CLIENT THINKS YOUR CHARGES ARE TOO HIGH.

I was having a chat with a client a while ago, and the same conversation played out, I am used to hearing this, just like you are too (if you are a business owner) – “ah that’s too high “; for me, it’s either I don’t respond anymore or I just smile it over or better still find a polite way to handle it.

It could sound offensive when they say this, just because of the notions and ideas they have of the industry they assume your charges should be on a particular level with the other business owners.

How do they judge and weigh prices ?

Price is weighed by value. Your clients believe value should be higher than the price, therefore when it goes or appears to be the other way round in their eyes they conclude it is too expensive. But remember, the way people attach value to things are different and unique to them.

A good advice is that if you are charging a price, let the value of the product or service match it considerably. Part of what your clients will look at before weighing the value and price are – the look or appearance of your office and you personally. If these things look good, great and levels up with the amount you are charging, they may consider or find a way to subtly opt out to look for cheaper option.

What about when you don’t have an office, they base their judgements on certain physical things get can attach to you like, your social media handles, business cards, phone etiquette, website, other customers’ review or experience.

Making profit doesn’t mean you should hike up prices. Remember your client or potential client has lots of options to check and compare. All the same. This does not mean you should play yourself down. We all offer similar services but not in the same way. I know the worth of what I am offering, so when I am charging I can defend it will be different from my competitors or other people.

If your clients have never complained you are charging too high, take it- your charges are low. And naturally, they will keep negotiating to drop the prices down. This is one of the reasons you should not drop prices anyhow, the customer you reduce price for will most likely get other customers who will keep dropping your prices.

If your customers are comparing you with A or B or C – simply explain why you charge higher than them. If they are not convinced, they can move on and you can too. You will find clients that will pay, and they will attract their kind too.

Avoid Them And Move On – when you don’t have an answer, move past it fast. You should not waste time explaining when you do not want to. Not every case needs explanation. Your no is no and yes is yes sometimes in business.

Knowing their budget could help – I personally do this a lot. To avoid misunderstandings between clients and I. Asking them what they can afford gives me a perfect picture of how to play around the prices. And this helps me clear the air on how their budget relates with what is needed to finish their works.

Some clients feel you are too expensive because they do not want to pay. Be careful in spotting people like this.. they are the ones that will cause trouble after their job is delivered. All because they do not want to pay.

Clients who insist on cheap will be cheap. – instead of wasting time to convince them, look for the ones that will appreciate you. And stay your line

IBADANCITY FASHION COLLEGE

08081067070

@IBCITYFASHIONCOLLEGE

@DGVSTYLES