Practical Business Development Tricks That Actually Work

For lots of entrepreneurs, business development can feel like an uphill struggle. Any sort of demonstrable success requires a lot of resilience and patience, though even with the occasional win, lots of people find that the reward isn’t worth the effort.

That’s why we’ve put together some helpful tips that, in our experience, have led to consistent results. We won’t be reinventing the wheel – we want to offer up realistic advice that is straightforward for you and your team to implement.

Network Strategically

Build your network strategically and organically using the multitude of opportunities at your disposal.

Industry Award Shows

If you’re able to attend the most prestigious award shows in your industry, you’ll give yourself the opportunity to rub shoulders with your target demographic and find organic ways to interact and make yourself memorable.

LinkedIn

The social media site for professionals might not be for everyone, but if you can designate a window of time to ensure that you’re telling the world about yourself and what you offer, while also connecting with potential clients and adding to the conversation, the rewards will speak for themselves. I find that a ‘little and often’ approach works the best here.

Businesses which are able to build a wide-reaching platform on the site will have an easier time building authority in their respective industries. For example, Bond Turner posts almost daily on the site, and is able to diversify their posts so that each sheds light on a different aspect of the business.

Direct Calls

Back to basics. Cold calls might be enough to give some business development professionals traumatic flashbacks to hundreds of voicemails and rejections earlier in their careers, but these calls exist for a reason: they actually work. 

Some potential clients require a more personal touch – especially those who value a more ‘old school’ approach. Dismiss cold calling at your peril, because sometimes, a well-timed five-minute call is just what you need to secure thousands of pounds worth of business.

Build Relationships

Play the long game. Don’t behave like the much-maligned ‘pushy salesperson’; instead, get to know your clients. Ask them questions about their work and get to know them; importantly, follow the 80/20 rule. Ensure that your potential client is doing 80% of the talking.

If it’s possible, visit them in person. Chances are, your competitors aren’t. Everyone else is stuck in the loop of virtual meetings and emails, so be the one to buck the trend. 

Consistency Across Multiple Channels

One last thing: be consistent. Don’t wait until business dries up to cast your line aimlessly out to sea. Designate time every day to some form of BD, whether it’s on LinkedIn, via cold calls, or organising site visits. Your future self will thank you for the stacked pipeline.

In Conclusion

Business development doesn’t need to be overcomplicated; it isn’t rocket science. In this article, we hope we’ve been able to provide some practical advice on some of the best ways to drum up business.