It's nice when you can open a business and attract new customers the next day. It's great when a web site guarantees your profitability. But none of those things happen without good planning. Without a good plan, and the proper execution, businesses die very quickly.

3-Rules to Attract New Customers

1. Let people know you exist - Advertise yourself. If people don't know where you are and what you do, they can't buy from you. Advertising greatly increases your chances of success.

2. Don't scare the customer - Make the customer feel comfortable with your product or service. Provide an environment that they will feel safe in. Make them feel good about spending their money. Don't scare the customer.

3. Look the part - Businessmen wear suits. Policemen carry guns. You are reading this article because we look the part. We effectively display our ability to attract new customers. You can do the same when you look the part.

You be surprised at how many people break these simple rules. Sometimes I go exploring around my city and I find little out of the way businesses that I would have never known about before. They are good businesses with absolutely no exposure. So when I go back a few months later to see them again, they are out of business. It's very sad. They don't go out of business because they are bad at business, it's just that no one knew where they were so they never made enough money to stay open. You can't attract new customers when they don't know you exist.

I walk by stores all the time that are open, but look very dark inside. That doesn't make me feel like going inside. They have scared me and rule #2 says don't scare the customer. You can't attract new customers if they are not comfortable with you.

If you were going to buy tools, you would expect a guy with a tool belt and a smock to help you out right? After all, he looks like he knows what he's talking about. What if you went to go buy a power saw and a lady in a clown suit asked if she could help you? Exactly. Look the part and you can attract new customers without any problems.