How do you reach out to new small business owners?

1 Identify your goals

Before you start reaching out to new small business owners, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Are you looking for referrals, collaborations, feedback, or support? Having a specific goal will help you tailor your message and approach to each person. It will also help you avoid wasting time and energy on contacts that are not relevant or beneficial to your business.

2 Research your prospects

Once you have a goal in mind, you need to find out who are the new small business owners in your area that match your criteria. You can use online tools like Google, social media, local directories, and websites to search for businesses by industry, location, size, and other factors. You can also ask your existing network for recommendations or referrals. When you research your prospects, look for information that can help you personalize your outreach, such as their name, background, interests, challenges, and achievements.

3 Choose your channel

Depending on your goal and your prospect, you may want to reach out to new small business owners through different channels. For example, you can send an email, make a phone call, send a direct message on social media, or drop by their store or office. Each channel has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consider factors like convenience, urgency, formality, and response rate. You also need to respect your prospect's preferences and boundaries, and avoid spamming or harassing them.

5 Follow up and follow through

After you send your message, you need to follow up and follow through with your prospect. You can send a reminder, a thank-you note, or a confirmation email depending on the situation. You should also keep track of your communication and actions, and update your records accordingly. If you promised to do something, make sure you deliver on time and with quality. If you agreed to meet, show up prepared and professional. If you received a response, reply promptly and politely. By following up and following through, you can show your prospect that you are reliable, trustworthy, and interested in building a long-term relationship.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?