Cold Calling

• Cold calling is simply picking up the phone and calling people you have identified as prospects for your business. When cold calling, do your homework on the person you are calling by searching online for information about her and her company. According to Inc. magazine, you can "warm up" a cold prospect by offering him a free promotional item and being respectful and courteous. Ask for an appointment with the person at a specific day and time rather than asking, "What's good for you?"
  
  

Email Marketing

• Email marketing is another strategy you can use to get new business. First, you will need a list of prospects. If you don't have an internal team to handle prospecting, you can use an online tool like Jigsaw or Sales Genie to help you build a list. Once you have a list of qualified prospects, send an email introducing yourself. It's important to offer your prospects something of value, such as a free report you've written, and include an option for people to opt out of your mailings.
  
  

Networking

• Networking is another new business development strategy you can use to get more clients. There are plenty ways to network, including industry-related conferences, trade shows, business seminars and meeting with business groups in your area. Networking can also be as simple as talking with people on planes, at the airport, in a restaurant or at the coffee shop. Good networkers make contacts everywhere they go, because it's a great way to make connections and meet new prospects.
  
  

Referrals

• Getting referrals can be one of the best new business development strategies because you don't have to contact "cold" prospects. When you contact a referral, you can "warm up" the conversation by saying, "Your friend John Smith gave me your contact information because he thought we may be able to form a mutually beneficial partnership," or something to that effect. To get referrals, contact your network of friends and clients, and ask them if they know someone who might benefit from your services. Offering incentives to people for referrals can increase the numbers of referrals you get too.