How to Gain Customers Fast

If your shop or product business feels quiet, many retailers are in the same boat.

 
One of the biggest questions small business owners ask is:

“How do I gain customers fast, without relying on discounts or dancing on TikTok?”

The truth is: You don’t need a massive audience to see a spike in new customers.
 

You need visibility in the right places, with the right message, at the right time.

This blog breaks down 10 actionable strategies you can start using this week to gain customers fast, whether you're online, in-store, or both.

Get a tailored plan for your store
Book your free discovery call today and let’s map out your fastest route to more customers and higher sales.

1. Create a “First-Time Buyer” Offer That Feels Irresistible

If you want new customers fast, make the first step easy and appealing. Most people hesitate because they don't know you, trust you yet, or fully understand what makes your offer worth it.

What to do:

• Bundle bestsellers: Package 2–3 popular products together at a slightly lower combined rate.

• Offer a limited-time free gift: “Free mini candle with your first purchase this weekend only.”

• Make the CTA specific and urgent:

   “First 20 new customers this week get X.”

Why this works:

It reduces buying resistance and gives them a reason to take action now, which is key when you're trying to gain new customers fast.

 Related Article: Retail Sales Strategies, How to Get Shoppers That Buy

2. Partner with a Business That Already Has Your Customers

Leverage someone else’s audience to get fast visibility.

Collaborations allow you to skip the time it takes to build trust because their audience already trusts them. If they endorse you, you've got credibility instantly.

How to do it:

• Make a list of 5–10 local or online businesses who serve the same customer as you (but aren’t direct competitors).

• Reach out via email or DM with a win-win idea, like:

  • A joint giveaway to both audiences

  • An in-store feature of each other’s products

  • A collaborative social post or email intro

Example:

“Hey! I run a boutique candle brand and think our customers would love your ceramics. Fancy a collaborative post or giveaway?”

 Related Article: 10 Surprising Ways to Grow your Retail Business Fast

3. Run a 3-Day Social Media Campaign With One Clear Goal

Most businesses post for awareness, not action. But campaigns drive conversion.

A focused 5-day campaign allows you to repeat your offer in multiple formats (Stories, Reels, Posts) without it feeling spammy.

How to do it:

• Choose a single product or service to feature.

• Craft 3–5 posts that tell a story around it:

  • Day 1: “The problem it solves”

  • Day 2: “How one customer used it”

  • Day 3: “Customer Review"

  • Day 4: "An unusual use"
  • Day 5: "Final day to claim"

• Use urgency-driven CTAs like:

  “Only 5 left,” “Closes tonight,” “DM us to claim”

Why this works:

You give people multiple chances to see, feel, and act increasing conversions and speeding up customer growth.

Related Article: How to Get More Customers in Your Retail Store

4. Turn Customers Into Ambassadors With a Referral Hook

If every happy customer brings you one more person you double your reach, fast.

But you must incentivise and remind them to share.

Ideas:

• “Refer a friend and you both get 15% off your next order.”

• “Tag us in a photo and we’ll DM you a reward.”

• “Leave a Google review and get a gift in your next order.”

Bonus tip:

Make it time-bound.

“Offer valid until Sunday only.”

This encourages immediate action rather than “I’ll do it later.”

 Related Article: How to Build a Customer Loyalty Program

5. Go Where Your Ideal Customers Already Are

If people aren’t coming to you, go to them, physically or digitally.

The fastest-growing stores don’t just post and wait. They insert themselves into existing communities.

Where to go:

• Local Facebook groups (e.g., mums groups, dog owners, town noticeboards)

• School newsletters or noticeboards

• Gyms, coffee shops, hair salons (ask to display flyers, or collaborate)

• Pop-ups at community markets or events

Online version:

• Comment as your business on relevant Instagram or TikTok accounts

• Join online forums or FB groups and offer value (not spam)

Don’t sell. Invite.

“We’re doing free 10-minute hand massages in-store Friday, come say hi!”

 

6. Host a VIP Preview or Launch (Online or In-Store)

Exclusivity drives attention and word of mouth.

When people feel like they’re getting special treatment, they’re more likely to attend, buy, and bring others.

How to do it:

• Invite your best customers or email list to a private preview night

• Offer first access to new products

• Use handwritten invites, emails with “you’re invited,” or Instagram DMs

Bonus idea:

Live stream it too! Let people shop from Instagram or Facebook Live.

People love being “in the know” and they’ll invite others for the experience.

Related Article: How to Sell More in Retail Without Discounts or Big Budgets

7. Share Real Photos of Real People Using Your Products

Lifestyle visuals convert faster than polished product shots.

People don’t want to imagine how a product fits into their life, they want you to show them.

How to do it:

• Ask past customers to share a photo of them using your product

• Repost with permission and tag them

• Use captions like:

  “Look how Amy styled our gold hoops for her girls’ night. Obsessed!”

If you're a service business, show behind-the-scenes, before/after transformations, or “in the chair” shots.

Visual proof builds credibility fast.

8. Audit Your Sales Journey and Fix the Leaks

Most customer drop-off happens in the last 10% of the journey.
Before you chase more people, make sure you’re converting the ones already showing interest.

Ask:

• Can they tell what I do/sell in 3 seconds on my site or Instagram?

• Is the CTA obvious? Is it “Buy now”, “Visit store”, or just vibes?

• Does checkout feel smooth or confusing?

Fixes that increase conversion:

• Add a clear offer in your bio/link-in-bio

• Pin your strongest post to the top of your feed

• Improve mobile navigation on your site

• Make “Book Now” or “Buy Now” the most prominent button

A 10% increase in conversion = huge revenue boost with zero new followers.

 Related Article: The Secret to Retail Success

9. Post Bold Content That Gets People Talking (Not Just Scrolling)

You don’t need to be an influencer but you do need to stand out.

Retailers who gain customers fast aren’t afraid to share their values, opinions, or behind-the-scenes truths.

Content ideas that spark DMs:

• “We don’t do next-day delivery and here’s why.”

• “Why we don’t discount (and what we offer instead).”

• “3 reasons we charge more than Amazon and why customers keep coming back.”

👉 Add a CTA like:

“Agree? DM me the word VALUES and I’ll send you a treat.”

Customers buy from brands that stand for something.  

Retail Sales Are About Clear Systems

If you’ve been wondering how to be better at retail sales, it starts with structure, not pressure.

• Know your numbers

• Connect emotionally

• Ask better questions

• Build loyalty beyond the till

These aren’t just tactics. They’re the building blocks of a better-performing retail business.

Want to Improve Your Store’s Sales Without Discounting?

Book a free discovery call and let’s look at your store’s sales journey together. I’ll show you where you’re losing sales and how to fix it fast.

🎯 Book a free discovery call with me here
Let’s get your retail or ecommerce business performing like it should. 

FAQ's You Might Still Be Wondering

Articles I Think you'll like:

How to Fix Slow Selling Products

How to Audit Your Retail Store

How to Grow Your Retail Business Without Burning Out

Why Choose Samuel Chapman Retail Coach?

With over a decade of hands-on experience growing small businesses, I’ve helped shop owners go from overlooked and underpaid to profitable, confident, and in control.

Whether you run a boutique, lifestyle store, gift shop or something in between, I know what it’s like to feel stuck despite working hard.

My methods are built around strategy, not guesswork and I’ve worked with over 100 retail business owners to:

✔️ Attract more footfall without relying on discounts
✔️ Increase return customers and average order value
✔️ Clarify their store’s message and improve customer experience
✔️ Feel proud of the business they’ve built again

If you’re ready to transform the way your store performs, it starts with a conversation.

How Samuel Can Help You