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Let's face it. Scaling your business is hard. It takes considerable effort. In the beginning, it means wearing different hats. It means dealing with sales and marketing. It means understanding taxes and corporate compliance. It involves having to interact with customers on a daily basis. And so much more. At the end of the day, it takes its toll on you.

If you're struggling to grow your business, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, it's hard. But, what's the alternative? A life-sucking 9-to-5 job? Surely not. Okay, maybe you're longing for the security of a guaranteed paycheck. But, at what mental or emotional price will that come?
The truth? If you buckle down, clear your mind, and just look at things in perspective, you can easily identify ways you can grow your business and make more money quickly. While hundreds of business growth strategies likely exists, the following 15 will take your business to the next level quickly and efficiently.
Roland Frasier, a business growth strategist, has a unique approach to scaling businesses. As a principal of Digital Marketer and Native Commerce Media, and CEO of War Room Mastermind, he knows a thing or two about the online marketing world.
Frasier, who builds and scales seven, eight and nine-figure businesses tells me that there are loads of ways to grow a business quickly. But, only 15 core strategies that will truly make a real impact on your bottom line. Some are time intensive at the outset. That much should be expected. But, the benefits and profits will ultimately make them well worthwhile.
Like anything else in life or in business, you have to put in the time if you're looking to reap the benefits. Don't focus on the short-term outcome of your work. Look to the long term. Build sincere value and look to help your customers. Genuinely care. That should be the foundation. After that, it's simply a matter of taking action and putting in the work to scale.
Related: 7 Mental Shifts That Allowed Me to Become a Millionaire at 22
1. Build a sales funnel.
The first way to quickly grow your business is by building a sales funnel. If you don't have a sales funnel, you're making a monumental mistake. Sales funnels can help to automate your business. It helps you to scale and grow quickly and easily. Sure, there's some front-end work involved. Obviously. But, once those processes are in place, it's smooth sailing from there.
Frasier says that every sales funnel needs to be carefully conceptualized before it's created. Consider the different funnels first and foremost. Whether it's a free-plus-shipping offer or a high-ticket coaching funnel, it's important to build your automated selling machine to quickly scale and grow your business.
2. Utilize a customer management system.
Manually tracking transactions is hard. No one wants to do that. It gets too cumbersome as the business grows. If you want to scale quickly, use a customer management system. There are plenty to choose from. But, it really depends on your line of work. Of course, cloud-based software like SalesForce is always a viable option.
Quickbooks can help you with the accounting. InfusionSoft can also assist with sales and marketing. There are plenty of CMS systems, most of which integrate with other cloud-based services. Find what works for you and utilize it.
Related: How to Become a Millionaire by Age 30
3. Research the competition.
When going to market, and you're really looking to get your offer to the masses, you need to research the competition. Frasier says he uses two platforms to conduct his research. The first is Similar Web. The other, AdBeat. Both provide competitive intelligence. It's your chance for x-ray lenses into all landing pages, ad copy, and other stages of the funnel.
This allows you to uncover any advertiser's online strategy. Find the ads that have been running for the longest and emulate those. That's the quickest way you scale any business. If it's proven and it's working for your competitors, it's likely it'll work for you.
4. Create a customer loyalty program.
Loyalty programs are great ways to increase sales. It costs up to three times more money to acquire new customers than it does to sell something to an existing customer. Other resources pin this number anywhere from four to 10 times more. However, any way that you slice it, acquiring new customers is expensive.
Frasier says that building a customer loyalty program will help you retain customers. It might also help you attract new ones as well. If there's a clear incentive to spend more money with you, it'll pay off in the long run. Build an attractive loyalty program and make it accessible to your existing customers and watch sales skyrocket over time.
5. Identify new opportunities.
Analyze new opportunities in your business by understanding your demographic better. Understand everything from distribution channels to your direct competitors, and even an analysis of foreign markets and other potential industries. There are likely dozens of new opportunities you could pursue immediately with the proper amount of analysis.
Related: 25 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
6. Build an email list.
One of the most best and most effective ways to grow a business quickly is to build an email list. Clearly, that means you need to have a lead magnet. Why else would people subscribe to your list? And, with a lead magnet, comes the necessity for a sales funnel. Look into companies like Aweber, ConstantContact, ConvertKit, Drip, GetResponse and others for building and managing your list.
7. Form strategic partnerships.
Strategic partnerships with the right companies can truly make a world of difference. It could allow you to reach a wide swath of customers quickly. Identifying those partnerships might be easier said than done. But, look out for companies that are complementary to your own. Contact them and propose opportunities for working together.
8. Leverage global platforms.
In the ecommerce business selling products? Why not use Amazon's FBA service? In the business of selling services? Why not use Upwork? In the business of renting vacation homes? Why not leverage AirBnB, InvitedHome, HomeAway or other global platforms? Find a platform that's reached saturation and use it to grow your business quickly.
9. Licensing deals
Doing licensing deals is a great way to grow your business without too much added effort. If you have a product that you can license to others and share a revenue of, that's an ideal way to grow quickly. Taking a popular or successful product and bringing it to a company with a large footprint can help you achieve market saturation quicker.
Related: I Started Saying 'No' to These 6 Things. My Life and My Business Got a Lot Better.
10. Consider a franchise model.
If you have a successful business, and you're really looking to grow quickly, consider franchising it. Although franchise costs are high and moving to a franchise model is complex and takes a lot of marketing know-how, it could make all the difference if you're truly looking for quick growth.
11. Diversify your offer lineup.
Look into diversifying your offers. What complementary products or services or information can you offer in your business? In order to grow, you need to think about expansion. Identify new opportunities within your niche. Uncover the pain points. What else can you sell to your clients. Where else can you add value in the exchange?
Related: 9 Steps to Increase the Value of Your Business
12. Build passive income streams.
Growing a business takes significant effort. If you're dealing with razor-thin margins, consider building passive income streams. This way, you don't have to worry so much about keeping the lights on, so to speak. Passive income will afford you the opportunity to make mistakes and not have to lose your shirt. It'll keep you in business and provide a basis to grow and market and scale quickly by giving you ample resources.
13. Acquire other businesses.
Sometimes, acquiring other businesses is a very quick way to grow your own business. If you can find competitors or businesses in other industries that would complement your own, you could use them as platforms to scale fast. Take a look within your industry and even outside of it to find potential for potential opportunities.
14. International expansion.
Can you expand internationally? Can you take your existing offers and scale them internationally? What would it take to do business in Canada or Mexico or Europe? If you have a converting offer, international expansion could be a quick way to grow. You'll incur some costs. Sure. But, the potential for profits could be massive.
15. Create a webinar.
Webinars are a great way to promote any product or service. It can also help you grow any business relatively fast. Webinars provide an automated selling tool for literally taking any product or service to market and reaching a wide audience quickly. The webinar medium is great for captivating audiences to clinch sale after sale, automatically.
FAQs
What are the 8 ways to grow your business? ›
- Get to know your customers. ...
- Offer excellent customer service. ...
- Nurture existing customers and look for new opportunities. ...
- Use social media. ...
- Attend networking events. ...
- Host events. ...
- Give back to your community. ...
- Measure what works and refine your approach as you go.
- Identify your critical success factors. ...
- Keep score. ...
- Learn from the best. ...
- Create the future. ...
- Involve your people. ...
- Set goals. ...
- Make a plan.
- Develop systems.
Set clear goals
specific – state clearly what you want to achieve. measurable – make sure you can evaluate success. achievable – check your objective is something you have the time and resources to meet. relevant – make sure your objectives improve profit drivers and improve some part of your business.
The four growth strategies
These are Product, Placement, Promotion and Price. Where the Four Ps focus on audiences, channels & pricing, the Ansoff Matrix is more effective for a broader view of markets and uses the older Four P framework within each of the 4 Ansoff quadrants.
- Market penetration. The aim of this strategy is to increase sales of existing products or services on existing markets, and thus to increase your market share. ...
- Market development. ...
- Product development. ...
- Diversification.
- Create brand personality. ...
- Develop a strategic business plan, organizational structure, and operational support systems. ...
- Avoid common mistakes. ...
- Become connected to the community. ...
- Put your employees first. ...
- Don't just acquire customers, retain them. ...
- Get organized.
- Create a market-fit product. It sounds so straightforward, however, I see plenty of entrepreneurs starting their businesses without having a good product. ...
- Focus on what's important. ...
- Develop your leadership skills. ...
- Look after your customer. ...
- Find time to think.
- Take advantage of local listings. Register your business with Google — it's the new yellow pages. ...
- Use social media. ...
- Create engaging content. ...
- Optimize your website's SEO. ...
- Create press releases. ...
- Get involved in an online community. ...
- Use high-quality visuals. ...
- Pay for advertising.
- Build a Strategy for Success. ...
- Boost the Online Presence of Your Business. ...
- Focus on Educating, Not Hard-Selling. ...
- Create High-Quality Content, but Keep It Simple and Clear. ...
- Organize Online Events. ...
- Focus on Personalization. ...
- Prioritize Customer Service.
Key Takeaways
If a company has above-average management—people who have experience and have been with the company for a long time—there's a good chance that the company will be a success. Companies can achieve market leadership through quality, innovation, customer service, or even warranties.
How can a business increase sales? ›
- INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS OR SERVICE. Provide a broader range of products or services for your clients. ...
- EXPAND TO NEW DOMESTIC MARKETS. ...
- ENHANCE YOUR SALES CHANNELS. ...
- MARKETING ACTIVITIES. ...
- CHANGE YOUR PRICE. ...
- BE AWARE OF THE COMPETITION. ...
- IMPROVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS. ...
- DON'T NEGLECT CUSTOMER SERVICE.
- Get to know yourself as a thinker and learner. ...
- Set a personal goal for each course. ...
- Manage your time and your attention. ...
- Think like a professor. ...
- Review your notes as soon as possible after class.
- Set Clear Goals and Define Key Variables. ...
- Determine Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships. ...
- Delegate the Work. ...
- Execute the Plan, Monitor Progress and Performance, and Provide Continued Support. ...
- Take Corrective Action (Adjust or Revise, as Necessary)
There are at least three basic kinds of strategy with which people must concern themselves in the world of business: (1) just plain strategy or strategy in general, (2) corporate strategy, and (3) competitive strategy.
What are the 3 basic strategies? ›According to Porter's Generic Strategies model, there are three basic strategic options available to organizations for gaining competitive advantage. These are: Cost Leadership, Differentiation and Focus.
What are the five 5 forms of strategy? ›- Plan.
- Ploy.
- Pattern.
- Position.
- Perspective.
- Acquire New Customers.
- Increase Your Average Transaction Value.
- Increase Your Customer's Frequency of Purchase.
- Strength of existing client relationships (8.39)
- Technology (8.00)
- Quality of management team (7.86)
- Marketing strategy (7.51)
- Financials (7.21)
- Employees (6.89)
- Profile/Image (6.28)
The seed, startup, growth, established, expansion, maturity, and exit stages. Each stage of growth in business is important because businesses are known to face different challenges at each stage. They also require different financial management practices at each stage to survive.
What are the 10 secrets of successful entrepreneurs? ›- Grow to survive. ...
- Check your ego. ...
- Remember your first fans. ...
- Share your knowledge. ...
- Hire someone to watch your money. ...
- Know when to persevere.
What are the 10 tips for success? ›
...
Here are some additional tips for a successful life.
- Find the balance that works for today. ...
- Focus on positive relationships. ...
- Be brave. ...
- Never stop learning. ...
- Have fun. ...
- Practice optimism.
- Know the industry and your competitors. ...
- Build a qualified team. ...
- Create a high-quality product. ...
- Define your goals. ...
- Promote your products or services. ...
- Understand organizational structure. ...
- Know the principles of finance and accounting. ...
- Understand operational systems and processes.
- Have a Desire: What Do You Really Want?
- Believe That Your Goal is Achievable.
- Write Your Goal Down.
- Determine Your Starting Point.
- Determine Why You Want It.
- Set a Deadline.
- Identify the Obstacles in Your Way.
- Determine the Additional Knowledge and Skills You Need.
- Cultivate a Positive Attitude.
- Tap into your Passions.
- Honor your Values.
- Play to your Strengths.
- Set a Career Intention.
It's called the seven Ps of marketing and includes product, price, promotion, place, people, process, and physical evidence.
What are the 4 promotion strategies? ›The four Ps of marketing: product, price, place and promotion.
How can I get customers? ›- Ask for referrals. ...
- Network. ...
- Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. ...
- Re-contact old customers. ...
- Improve your website. ...
- Partner with complementary businesses. ...
- Promote your expertise. ...
- Use online reviews to your advantage.
- Technological advantage. ...
- Improve customer retention. ...
- Improve customer service. ...
- Cross-selling products. ...
- Increase sales from new products. ...
- Innovation and pushing boundaries. ...
- Product diversity. ...
- Price point strategising.
You've given some thought to the three things that make a business successful, or at least what many people agree those three things are: filling an important need or want among customers, operating efficiently and making a profit.
What 3 factors are necessary for a business to be successful? ›As the business is growing and becoming bigger the other factors like developing the Owner, Team and Systems also becomes very important. Although every one of them is just as important as the other one, the most important critical success factors for growing business will always be Money, Marketing and Product.
What are good sales techniques? ›
- Be systematic about generating leads. ...
- Know your sales cycle. ...
- Know your numbers. ...
- Actively seek referrals. ...
- Focus on securing appointments. ...
- Get ready for objections. ...
- Follow up and listen.
- Make it about them.
- Do your research before reaching out.
- Build rapport first.
- Define your buyer.
- Contribute first, sell second.
- Ask questions, and listen.
- Be mindful of psychological quirks.
- Approach them on their level.
There are four key areas that can help drive profitability. These are reducing costs, increasing turnover, increasing productivity, and increasing efficiency. You can also expand into new market sectors, or develop new products or services.
What are the 8 strategies? ›- 8 Strategies Robert Marzano & John Hattie Agree On.
- Strategy 1: A Clear Focus for the Lesson.
- Strategy 2: Offer Overt Instruction.
- Strategy 3: Get the Students to Engage With the Content.
- Strategy 4: Give Feedback.
- Strategy 5: Multiple Exposures.
- Strategy 6: Have Students Apply Their Knowledge.
Specifically, six key learning strategies from cognitive research can be applied to education: spaced practice, interleaving, elaborative interrogation, concrete examples, dual coding, and retrieval practice.
What are the 3 C's of implementing strategy? ›For simplicity and success, begin by focusing on the three Cs of implementing strategy: clarity, communication, and cascade. Each of these three Cs actually roll into the next.
What is business expansion strategy? ›Business expansion is a strategy that can be used by companies to continue developing their business. It will assist companies to find new opportunities and optimize the use of resources. A business will continue to grow up to a point. After that, companies need to find a way to gain more profit.
How can I sell my small business fast? ›- Review of Accounting Records. ...
- Business Operations Documented. ...
- Have a Marketing Plan. ...
- Hire a Business Broker. ...
- Plan to Target Buyer Prospects. ...
- Plan for Due Diligence. ...
- Collaborate for Successful Transition.
Although every business is different, most can expect to start seeing success after about seven to 10 years. In fact, the first three years are just about finding your direction and establishing your business as a real company. Take these examples of some of the most famous businesses today.
What is the first step you should take to expand a business? ›Market Research
This should be your first step once you start considering business expansion. Market research can help you identify areas you could expand into. It can also give you a clearer picture of what your audience needs or wants in relation to your target product or industry.
How can you attract customers? ›
- Ask for referrals. ...
- Network. ...
- Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. ...
- Re-contact old customers. ...
- Improve your website. ...
- Partner with complementary businesses. ...
- Promote your expertise.
Successful small businesses are customer-focused, which means they understand the needs of their current customer bases. Satisfied customers can drive profits through repeat business and referrals.
What makes a business successful? ›“One thing successful businesses have in common is … a strong customer focus,” said John Stevenson, marketing specialist at My GRE Exam Preparation. “They create a culture that is centered around their customers and focus their processes, products and services around their services needs.
What sells quickly? ›- Jewelry and watches. ...
- Video game consoles. ...
- Old phones and accessories. ...
- Purses, wallets, and backpacks. ...
- Yard equipment. ...
- Jeans, workwear, and designer clothing. ...
- Furniture. ...
- Baby gear.
- Conduct market research. Market research is a key part of developing your marketing strategy. ...
- Profile your target markets. ...
- Identify your unique selling proposition (USP) ...
- Develop your business brand. ...
- Choose your marketing avenues. ...
- Set your goals and budget.
- Know Everything About Your Product.
- Understand the Prospect's Pain Points.
- Know Your Customer in Advance.
- Always Follow Up.
- Use Rejection as an Opportunity.
Every new business and start-up, big or small, goes through the five stages of business growth. These phases include existence, survival, success, take-off, and resource maturity. All stages of small business growth come with challenges that every company will have to overcome.
What are the 7 business life cycle stages? ›A map of the road to success as a business owner does exist, and it is called the Predictable Success Model. The seven stages are Early Struggle, Fun, Whitewater, Predictable Success, Treadmill, The Big Rut, and finally, Death Rattle.
What are 10 startup tips for a new business? ›- 1) Be Passionate.
- 2) Start While You Are Still Employed.
- 3) Don't Do It Alone.
- 4) Get Clients or Customers Lined Up.
- 5) Write a Business Plan.
- 6) Do Your Research.
- 7) Get Professional Help.
- 8) Make Sure the Money Is Lined Up.
- Test your concept. ...
- Build a business plan. ...
- Work on your sales pitch. ...
- Find funding. ...
- Decide on a business structure. ...
- Get the right licenses and permits. ...
- Open a business bank account. ...
- Organize your accounting.
What are the 12 steps to starting a business? ›
- Step 2: Write a business plan. ...
- Step 3: Fund your business. ...
- Step 4: Determine your business structure. ...
- Step 5: Choose and register a business name. ...
- Step 6: Create a marketing plan. ...
- Step 7: Get a Tax Identification Number. ...
- Step 8: Open a business bank account. ...
- Step 9: Figure out your taxes.