Using Current Clients to Book New Clients

Guidefitter is abuzz with clients. Clients that you want, and clients that you have. Why not use the clients that you have as a means to attract future clients? You don’t have to be a marketer to know: Word of mouth is the most effective means of marketing. So how do you get your clients to talk about you? Guidefitter aims to make it easy. Do these three things, then let your clients start doing the work for you:

1. Set up and optimize your Outfitter Page

First things first. Your clients need to be able to find you on Guidefitter. Make sure you have your Outfitter Business Page setup and that it is fully optimized. Your Business Page is the foundation for all of the rest of the marketing. Fill in as much information as you can to ensure that once your current clients get to your page, they know for sure it’s you. And better yet, that once your potential clients arrive to your page, they can figure out who you are easily. The essentials to include are: your location, owner name, licenses (if your state/province requires a license) and species specialties.

But those alone won’t connect you to clients. Include your bragging rights (“Operated by the Smith Family since 1901,” “85% Success Rate,” “Most Booked Outfitter in Montana...”). Anything that makes you you. Do you have a star guide who your clients love? Include them in your about section. It’s a unique selling point and also nurtures familiarity with past clients. Also be sure to get your guides on Guidefitter so that you can add them to your team on your profile. Include your other key selling points. What are the benefits of choosing you over similar outfitters? Things like no trophy fees, no guide fees, free field dressing — those all go a long way.

And while you’d better not gloss over the whole reason they’re looking at your page, the adventure itself, it’s always a good idea to include info on accommodations. What are the lodgings like? What kind of meals can be expected? You might think those are minor details that can be addressed later, but clients want to know as much as possible up front. A ‘What to Expect’ section will lower any hesitation from future clients. The more you tell them, the more likely they are to move forward with you. Don’t forget: people can be shy. If they feel like they have to make a phone call to ask about something, they may just as soon skip over you for someone who included it right on their page.

Another way to make your page stand out is to upload plenty of photos. As many as you wish. Every day, if you wish. I’m obviously not talking about just a profile photo and cover photo (though you definitely need those). Upload some client pics to your photo section. Our outfitter pages that perform best are always brimming with fresh content. Go a few steps further and upload a price list and gear list for an all-star page.

2. Get your clients added to your Client List

If you already have an Outfitter Business Page on GF, you’ve likely noticed an increase in client count already. We moved the ‘I’ve Used This Outfitter!’ button to the top of your page to ensure clients won’t miss it.

This makes adding your clients to your page easier. When you have a client getting ready to go home after an amazing trip, ask them to connect with you on Guidefitter. Maybe even take out your phone to show them your page in person. The easiest way for them to connect with you is to simply click this button. It adds them to your client list. ...And why do you care if they’re on your client list?

The bandwagon effect. Look at all these clients on this Outfitter Page already! I’m much more likely to become a client myself, right? That’s why client count is a factor in search ranking on Guidefitter. The more clients on your list, the higher you can show up in outfitter search results.

3. Get Clients to tag you in the content they post to Guidefitter

Not only does the content you’re tagged in get added to your page, it gives you an extra opportunity for visibility. Photos, Brags and stories show up in various places on our site. A great client Brag puts your name front and center and allows our client base to get to your page with a simple click. More than that: the more photos, Brags and stories you’re tagged in, the higher your Business Page can climb in search results.

So how do you get your clients to tag you? Ask them. Encourage them to post photos to Guidefitter when they’re about to head home. Again, showing them the site on your phone shows them how easy it is and helps them to become familiar with it.

Also, keep in mind that we’re always thinking of you. If you can just get your client to post, you’ll likely end up with a tag. As one of the steps to posting a photo, Brag or story, we ask users to tag their outfitter. Our search is pre-populated with your Outfitter Page so that you pop up as the client starts to type your name.

The final way to get clients to tag you activates the rule of reciprocation (If you want something, offer something yourself, first). You, the outfitter, post photos from the clients’ trips and tag them. It’s a subtle reminder that they had their own photos they wanted to post. They’ll also feel much more inclined to do it because you did. It’s all about connection and building relationships.

And posting first makes your in-person “ask” much easier. Instead of “Hey, you should post your photos on Guidefitter and tag me,” the opener is: “I’m posting this photo of you on Guidefitter, are you on Guidefitter so I can tag you? No? Well you gotta get on there and connect with me so I can share your photos with you. Let me show you…”

There you have it. Make a few page optimizations, ask your clients to join you on Guidefitter, and engage with them there — Now you have a better marketing tool than money can buy: client word of mouth.

What’s a Brag?

A Brag is a way to connect with fellow adventurers on Guidefitter. It’s a special kind of photo post that enables you to show off the triumphs of both yourself and your clients, whatever they may be: trophy pics, trail cam pics, the view from your climb. Add a brief caption, the date taken, your location, species in the photo, tag buddies and tag your outfitter. Others on Guidefitter can say ‘Nice!’ and help your Brag climb to the top of our Braggin’ Wall for all to see. Ready to post a Brag? Just head over to the Guidefitter website or — better yet, download our Brag! App on mobile. It’s available in the App Store and on Google Play.