Tips To Expand Your eLearning Client Base And Secure New Contracts
You have successfully launched your eLearning business and are slowly starting to build it up. Naturally, you are now wondering how you can expand your small eLearning client base and take your business to the next level. This article is here to help you with insider tips on how to secure new contracts, choose the right outsourcing partner, and promote yourself in an online directory.
5 Secrets To Expand Your eLearning Client Base And Secure New Contracts
Generating new customers while also retaining your existing clientele is essential to the success of your eLearning business. Getting your first clients is hard, so it’s crucial to be able to keep them content and also have new leads coming in. We share some tips that will help you expand your eLearning client base and close new deals.
1. Get Referrals
When building up your eLearning client base, the best place to start is your existing network. If you can leverage it correctly, word of mouth might just do the work for you. Clients communicate with each other, and a satisfied client is sure to spread the word. You could also take matters into your own hands and ask them if someone else or another department of their company can benefit from your specific eLearning skills. Regardless of the outcome, you have put yourself on their radar and can hope to be on their mind for future contracts. Referrals can make strong leads, especially for eLearning freelancers at the start of their careers.
2. Enhance Your Digital Presence
Your current, as well as prospective, eLearning clients spend most of their days online, either for work or leisure. So, what better way to promote your business and attract new leads than by enhancing your digital presence? Your first step toward accomplishing this—and one that many tend to forget—is building a digital eLearning portfolio. This should include all your contact information and a few mentions of your best work and unique skills. You want to make it look professional and share it on all your online platforms alongside your content. In addition, optimize your website and content for your target keywords. Improving your SEO will help your website catch the attention of search engines and consequently new clients.
3. Prioritize Customer Service
Your eLearning client base is the cornerstone of your business so make sure your customer service is exceptional and go the extra mile where you can. Address any query or concern you face with swift and efficient actions. Don’t make the mistake of forgetting your existing clients in your efforts to bring in new ones. They were the ones who got your business going, and they deserve as much attention as prospects. As we mentioned earlier, satisfied clients will talk you up and bring in more leads for your business.
Another way to improve your customer service is by encouraging your loyal clients to give you feedback. Listening to their thoughts and suggestions and adapting accordingly is a great way to show that you really care. There are many ways to invite feedback. It can be via email communication, online surveys on your website, or after a sale to gauge product satisfaction. Remember to keep an eye out for reviews on social media platforms. At the end of the day, what’s most important is what you do with that feedback. Show that you value your clients’ opinions by fixing mistakes promptly and adapting to make your services better.
4. Expand Your Network
Networking builds relationships and encourages people to refer clients to you. While depending on your existing network to expand your eLearning client base is an undoubtedly effective technique, you might find that you have run out of new leads. So, what can you do to expand your network? A great idea is to get involved in the eLearning community. Attend networking events and host webinars where you can share your expertise. This way, you will grow your connections and become established as a thought leader in the field. An important aspect of networking that you must take into consideration is proactivity. If you meet a potential lead, don’t leave your next communication up to them. New clients don’t just walk through the door! Follow up your initial introduction with a proposal that includes your company’s eLearning portfolio.
5. Develop New Skills
They say that progress is inevitable without change. Therefore, if you want to see your business thriving, you must embrace change. Your eLearning client base appreciated you for your great services, but they also expect creativity from you. However, if you prove yourself inflexible to learn new things and propose new solutions, you won’t be on their mind for their next project. So, make it your goal to continually improve on your skills and try fresh ideas that will urge your clients to keep returning to your business. Innovation is proof of your commitment to keep expanding your eLearning expertise.
How To Hire The Right Outsourcing Partners
As your eLearning client base keeps growing, you might find yourself struggling with increased responsibilities. While delegating tasks to your employees might be an obvious choice, if you own a small company, you should consider hiring an outsourcing partner. With their specialized tools and expertise, they will save you considerable time and resources. Here are some tips to help you decide how to choose the right outsourcing partner for your eLearning business.
Lay Out Your Outsourcing Budget
The first step in your search for an outsourcing partner has to be establishing a financial plan. Ideally, before you start talking with vendors, you need to know how much you can invest in your collaboration. This will help you filter out any options that might seem like a good fit but exceed your preferred budget. As you’re discussing with different candidates, make sure to get their rates and any hidden costs, if possible. This way, you will avoid any surprises and make a well-informed and financially suitable choice for your business.
Start With A Specialized Directory
An online directory with the best eLearning content vendors will provide you with all the crucial information you need in one place. Directory listings offer contact information but also delve into the company’s background, specialization areas, and key selling points. Usually, they also give users the ability to leave reviews and ratings. Use these to evaluate other people’s experiences and the vendor’s overall quality of work and customer service. Focus on reviews from professionals who do business in the same niche or are facing similar challenges as you. Before you know it, you will have found a suitable outsourcing partner for your eLearning business.
Ask For Recommendations
As in any business, word of mouth is a good way to go about searching for an outsourcing partner. You can start by asking professionals in your line of work or even your eLearning clients if they have collaborated with a content vendor that they would suggest. Social media is also a good place to ask for recommendations as they allow you to address a larger audience. Head to specialized groups and ask for opinions based on their experience with third-party content vendors, or post a shortlist of your top choices and get their feedback.
Hire Vendor For A Sample Project
You can ask for recommendations and read reviews all you want, but the only way to actually determine whether a vendor can meet your needs is by experiencing their services first-hand. Consider hiring them for a sample eLearning project to get an idea of their customer service and expertise. Sample projects still cost money, but it’s a small investment to ensure that your collaboration will be fruitful in the long run. During the test project, you can assess if your eLearning business shares the same vision with the vendor, what their tools and expertise are, and all in all, if they can accomplish the goals you have in mind. Then, you can decide to close the deal or move on to another candidate with minimal financial losses.
How To Promote Yourself In An Online Directory
Keeping up with the competition is crucial for the success of your eLearning business. But if you’re worried about your budget, there is an affordable way to get on the radar of your eLearning client base. Online directories help you promote your business to a targeted audience, increase your website traffic, and gather valuable feedback. Read on to find out some tips to promote your eLearning business more effectively in an online directory.
Make Your Company Bio Compelling
When a potential eLearning client views your listing on an online directory, the first thing they see is your company bio. Therefore, you need to make sure that it is professional and engaging. Lay out your business’s mission, your areas of expertise, and your unique selling points. Which professionals make up your target audience and where can your services be applied? Remember to keep your bio simple and concise so that you don’t lose the reader’s interest and consequently their business.
Optimize Your SEO
There is a great deal of competition you have to deal with, even in the confines of an online directory. Seeing as there might be dozens or even hundreds of companies in each category, you should think about ways to make your eLearning business appear before others. To do that, you must optimize your SEO and include at least a few keywords in your directory listing that are related to your specific services and niche. Keep in mind that search engine optimized content will enhance your online presence and lead even more potential eLearning clients to your website.
Invest In A PPC Listing
There are many benefits an online directory listing can offer to your eLearning business. However, there is a lot more you can gain if you decide to upgrade to a PPC directory listing. Apart from being accessible to a targeted community, you will also be placed in a premium spot in the directory and equipped with a call-to-action button that drives traffic straight to your website. An added benefit is the feature of geo-bidding that allows you to build an eLearning client base in the location of your business. Add to the mix the ability to control your expenses, and investing in a PPC listing is a no-brainer.
Update Frequently
Your work isn’t done when you have completed your directory listing. You must remember to update it regularly. Check if there is any content that needs to be added or revamped. Make sure your contact information is correct and that the directory is linked with other social media accounts. Also, if your business is listed in more than one directory, update all of them. You don’t know where your next client will find you! Besides, a regularly updated website will make potential leads more willing to trust in your skills and work ethic.
Conclusion
As an eLearning business owner, there is a lot you have to do to ensure the success of your venture. First of all, you have to find ways to keep expanding your eLearning client base by utilizing your network and enhancing your skills and online presence. At the same time, you might have to consider hiring an outsourcing partner to help you with your growing load of responsibilities. Finally, adding your business to an online directory can help you reach a bigger audience. Hopefully, these tips can help you expand your clientele and enhance the efficiency and reputation of your business.
Download the eBook Breaking Into The Industry: How To Launch A Successful eLearning Startup And Land New Contracts to find your niche and expand your client base in record time!
