Customer acquisition is challenging but not impossible. We asked industry experts to share one challenge they’re currently facing in terms of finding new customers and the steps they’re taking to overcome it. Here are their tips for building authority, personalizing outreach, and leveraging technology to attract new clients.
- Building Authority Through Industry Insights
- Educating Clients on Real Marketing
- Personalized Outreach to Technical Decision-Makers
- Showcasing Waterjet Technology Through Videos
- Leveraging Client Collaborations for Growth
- Reframing Pearls for Modern Lifestyles
- Launching a Referral Rewards Program
- Focusing on Hyperlocal Marketing
- Breaking Into the Franchise Market
- Honing in on Ideal Customer Persona
- Micro-Targeting Efforts Using Social Media
- Partnering with Local Distributors for Expansion
- Enhancing Educational Outreach with Case Studies
- Shifting to a Consulting-Type Service
- Offering Immersive Audio Experiences
- Doubling Down on Educational Content Marketing
- Ensuring Seamless Customer Experience Across Touchpoints
17 Challenges and Solutions for Finding New Customers: Expert Tips
Building Authority Through Industry Insights
Finding new customers in the B2B market research space requires navigating a complex landscape where traditional outbound marketing approaches are becoming less effective. Our main challenge is breaking through the noise to reach decision-makers who are increasingly selective about their information sources and vendor partnerships.
To overcome this, we’ve shifted our strategy to focus on building authority through deep industry insights rather than conventional sales pitches. We’re creating detailed case studies and research briefs that showcase real problem-solving scenarios, sharing them through targeted channels where our potential clients actively seek solutions.
A key initiative has been developing an insights-driven content strategy that addresses specific pain points in different industries. Rather than broad market research offerings, we’re positioning ourselves as sector specialists who understand unique industry challenges. This approach has helped us initiate more meaningful conversations with prospects who see us as knowledgeable partners rather than just service providers.
For others facing similar challenges, I’d be curious to learn about innovative ways they’re using data analytics to identify and engage potential clients earlier in their decision-making process. How are they effectively demonstrating value and expertise before the first conversation? I’m particularly interested in hearing about successful approaches to building credibility in new industry verticals without having an extensive track record in those specific sectors.
We’ve found that focusing on educational content and thought leadership has begun to shift the dynamic from us seeking clients to clients seeking us out. I’d welcome insights from peers about how they’re measuring and optimizing the impact of their thought leadership initiatives on actual customer acquisition.
Sai Sathish
B2B Marketing Leader, ConsaInsights
Educating Clients on Real Marketing
One of the biggest challenges in finding new customers right now isn’t just visibility—it’s credibility. The market is flooded with people selling “marketing magic,” promising overnight success with plug-and-play solutions that worked for them. The problem? Marketing isn’t a formula; it’s a strategy. It has to be built around the business, the audience, and the goals. But when you’re competing against loud voices pushing quick-fix tactics, convincing people that real marketing takes work (not just hacks) can feel like an uphill battle.
And honestly, I get it. If I were a business owner bombarded with ads from “marketing experts” promising a six-figure funnel in 30 days, I’d be skeptical too. Many of them have been burned before, investing in someone’s process, only to realize it wasn’t designed for their business. The frustration is real. They’ve spent money on people who overpromised and underdelivered, or they’ve tried doing it themselves and gotten nowhere. And after enough disappointment, they don’t just doubt marketing agencies, they doubt marketing itself.
That’s where the real challenge lies. It’s not just about proving we know what we’re doing; it’s about undoing the damage done by every person who sold them a shortcut instead of a strategy. It’s about breaking through that skepticism, not with bigger promises, but with proof.
That’s why we don’t sell outcomes, we educate. We don’t say, “This is the one strategy that works.” Instead, we show how marketing actually works and why it has to be custom to their business. We give value before they ever sign a contract, so they see the difference between a marketing team that understands strategy and someone selling a repackaged playbook. We’re upfront about what it takes to grow, not just what they want to hear, but what they need to hear.
Because the truth is, trust isn’t built with louder promises, it’s built by proving you actually know what the hell you’re doing. And in a market full of quick wins and empty guarantees, the businesses that actually succeed are the ones willing to do the work.
Michelle Merz
Marketing Consultant, Silience and Sonder
Personalized Outreach to Technical Decision-Makers
One of the biggest challenges I face in finding new customers is reaching the right technical decision-makers in a highly specialized B2B market. Engineers and system integrators are not swayed by traditional marketing tactics—they rely on in-depth technical resources, peer recommendations, and real-world performance data before considering a motion control solution. Early on, we struggled with broad marketing efforts that attracted interest but failed to generate high-quality leads. That’s when we shifted our focus to account-based marketing (ABM), targeting specific companies and engaging their engineers with personalized, application-driven content.
I remember working on a campaign for a company developing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Instead of sending generic product brochures, we crafted a custom case study showcasing how our servo drives improved efficiency in a similar AMR application. We reached out directly to their engineering team on LinkedIn, offering them a tailored whitepaper on optimizing motor performance. This one-to-one engagement led to a direct conversation, a successful pilot project, and ultimately, a long-term partnership. That experience reinforced how essential it is to speak the engineer’s language—providing technical value rather than just selling a product.
I’d love to hear how others in B2B industries personalize their outreach to technical buyers. What strategies have worked for you in earning trust and engagement from engineers?
Rene Ymzon
Marketing Manager, Advanced Motion Controls
Showcasing Waterjet Technology Through Videos
One of the biggest challenges we face in acquiring new customers is reaching and engaging industrial buyers who need to see our waterjet cutting technology in action before making a purchasing decision. Unlike software or consumables, investing in a CNC waterjet system is a significant capital expense, and potential customers want to be confident in its precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. To address this, we’ve heavily invested in video marketing and live demonstrations to showcase the real-world performance of our machines.
We create detailed video content that highlights key benefits—such as cutting accuracy, material versatility, and operational efficiency—on platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn. Live webinars and interactive Q&A sessions allow prospects to see the machines in action, ask technical questions, and get immediate feedback. Additionally, we offer personalized virtual demos where potential customers can submit their own materials to be cut, giving them firsthand proof of our system’s capabilities. This strategy has significantly improved engagement and conversion rates, as it helps industrial buyers visualize how Techni Waterjet can optimize their workflow before committing to a purchase.
I’d love to hear from others facing similar challenges—what are the most effective ways you’ve found to bridge the gap between digital engagement and real-world product validation in industrial sales? Have you found any unexpected channels or tactics that work well for demonstrating complex machinery remotely?
Elia Guidorzi
Marketing Executive, Techni Waterjet
Leveraging Client Collaborations for Growth
Leverage client collaborations as a growth channel—co-create case studies or tools with existing customers to turn them into advocates who attract peers in their network.
Standing out in saturated markets where prospects are numb to traditional outreach. For example, in SaaS niches, decision-makers receive hundreds of cold emails monthly. To counter this, we’re partnering with clients on hyper-specific, co-branded resources.
One cybersecurity client collaborated with us on an open-source “Compliance Checklist” tailored to their niche. We promoted it jointly via LinkedIn Live sessions, tagging their partners and competitors. This positioned us as problem-solvers (not vendors) and drove inbound leads from their ecosystem.
We’re experimenting with microcommunities—inviting prospects from similar industries to intimate, biweekly strategy workshops (no sales pitches). Early results show higher conversion rates than webinars, but it’s labor-intensive.
My advice is to stop chasing net-new audiences. Double down on existing client networks and niche communities where trust is preestablished. A simple ask like, “Who else in your circle faces this?” during client check-ins has unlocked our most consistent, trust-driven pipeline.
Aaron Whittaker
VP of Demand Generation & Marketing, Thrive Digital Marketing Agency
Reframing Pearls for Modern Lifestyles
One of the biggest challenges we face is broadening our appeal without losing the authenticity that makes our brand unique. As a niche luxury brand, we cater to a specific audience that values timeless elegance, but expanding beyond this group—especially to younger consumers—requires a careful balance.
To overcome this, we’re taking a multi-layered approach:
- Reframing Pearls for Modern Lifestyles – We’re shifting the narrative from “classic and formal” to “versatile and stylish.” By featuring pearls in unexpected, everyday settings—like streetwear-inspired looks or work-from-home fashion—we make them more relatable to new audiences.
- Storytelling with Heritage & Innovation – Instead of simply marketing pearls as luxury items, we highlight their craftsmanship, sustainability, and rich history while showcasing contemporary designs that resonate with evolving fashion trends.
- Strategic Collaborations – Partnering with non-traditional influencers (beyond the typical luxury/fashion niche) helps bridge the gap between classic elegance and modern style. For example, working with minimalist lifestyle influencers or entrepreneurs in the self-development space introduces pearls to audiences that value quality and intentional purchases.
For other niche brands, I’d love to hear—how do you expand your audience while staying true to your brand’s DNA? What unexpected collaborations or storytelling strategies have worked for you?
Roksolana Shutiak
Marketing Specialist, The Pearl Source
Launching a Referral Rewards Program
Limited referrals were a challenge, so we launched a referral rewards program with clear, tiered benefits to encourage customers to spread the word. The more referrals they make, the better the rewards they can unlock, creating excitement and engagement. It’s helped turn our happy customers into enthusiastic advocates for our business. Since implementing it, we’ve seen a steady stream of new customers and stronger relationships with existing ones.
Brooke Webber
Head of Marketing, Ninja Patches
Focusing on Hyperlocal Marketing
One challenge we are currently facing in finding new customers is standing out in highly competitive markets where multiple self-storage facilities are competing for the same audience. With large brands dominating ad space and bidding aggressively on local keywords, acquiring new customers at a sustainable cost requires a strategic approach.
To overcome this, we are focusing on hyperlocal marketing and improving our organic visibility. This includes refining our Google My Business profiles, leveraging local SEO strategies, and optimizing our paid ad targeting to focus on specific neighborhoods rather than broad metro areas. We are also strengthening community engagement by partnering with local businesses and real estate agents to generate referrals.
From others facing similar challenges, we would seek insights on how they are optimizing their marketing budgets for high-competition areas and what creative strategies they have found effective in reaching local customers without relying solely on paid ads. Understanding how businesses balance digital and offline efforts to drive sustained customer growth would be valuable.
Juan Castellanos
Senior Marketing Manager, SecureSpace
Breaking Into the Franchise Market
One challenge I’m currently facing in finding new customers is breaking into the franchise market and securing partnerships with large franchisors. While I have experience working with franchisees, my goal is to create a scalable model where franchisors either provide my services to their franchisees or offer them exclusive benefits to work with me.
To overcome this, I’m refining my outreach strategy to highlight how my expertise in operations, profitability, and business growth can help franchisees thrive—ultimately benefiting the franchisor as well. I’m also leveraging my network to connect with decision-makers and tailoring my pitch to show the direct ROI of investing in structured operational support for franchise locations.
From others who have successfully entered the franchising space, I’d love to hear insights on navigating corporate partnerships, structuring compelling offers that franchisors can’t ignore, and scaling service delivery while maintaining high-touch support.
Inbar Madar
Founder and Principal Consultant, M.I. Business Consulting
Honing in on Ideal Customer Persona
One obstacle we’re currently encountering in attracting new clients is cutting through the clutter in an already crowded industry. With such a vast array of SaaS tools available, standing out requires more than just a great service—it calls for sharp messaging and precise engagement. To tackle this, we’re honing in on our ideal customer persona (ICP) and launching highly tailored promotional strategies.
We’re also highlighting customer success examples to build credibility and demonstrate measurable outcomes. Another approach we’re exploring is collaborating with synergistic companies to access shared audiences. For input, I’d love to know how others navigate scaling personalization while staying efficient. It’s always insightful to hear tactics others have applied to rise above the competition and capture attention in oversaturated markets.
Valentin Radu
CEO & Founder, Blogger, Speaker, Podcaster, Omniconvert
Micro-Targeting Efforts Using Social Media
Navigating the digital landscape presents a real challenge in finding new customers, especially when traditional methods feel like they’re constantly evolving. Focusing on micro-targeting efforts using social media platforms helps zero in on very specific audience segments who might need our services without you even knowing it. This involves harnessing detailed analytics and audience insights to create tailored ad campaigns that resonate personally with potential customers. Not only does this sharpen our strategy, but it also conserves resources by directing efforts where they’re most likely to succeed.
Seeking advice from others in the industry, I’d recommend engaging with communities or platforms where potential customers interact. Understanding their needs from their point of view can guide adjustments in marketing and service delivery. Collaborating with influencers within niche markets can also provide a more personal touch, leveraging their trust and rapport with followers. It’s about meeting prospective clients where they already gather and tailoring the approach to speak directly to their requirements and experiences.
Shannon Smith O’Connell
Operations Director (Sales & Team Development), Reclaim247
Partnering with Local Distributors for Expansion
Global expansion brought its share of growing pains, so we partnered with local distributors and agents to connect more effectively with regional markets.
By offering exclusive training and marketing support, we ensured they could represent our brand with confidence and precision. This approach helped us overcome cultural and logistical barriers, fostering stronger relationships in each market.
As a result, we’ve seen improved brand visibility and more consistent sales growth across new regions.
Rob Gold
VP – Marketing Communications, Intermedia
Enhancing Educational Outreach with Case Studies
A significant challenge we’re encountering is ensuring our innovative digital solutions reach businesses unfamiliar with the potential of AI and automation. To tackle this, we’re enhancing our educational outreach, showcasing how these technologies can save time and money through case studies like our work with Goodnight Law. By updating their visual design and integrating automated email follow-ups, we improved conversions and client satisfaction, clearly demonstrating the value of our services.
Additionally, our collaboration with The Unmooring highlights our ability to transform a passion project into a sustainable business model. We restructured their website to promote repeat purchases, effectively elevating their digital magazine’s standing and client engagement. These examples illustrate our approach to solving specific business problems through custom digital strategies, showcasing concrete results to potential clients.
For others facing similar challenges, I recommend focusing on creating compelling success stories with real data to communicate your value proposition. Demonstrating tangible outcomes, as we do, fosters trust and shows prospective clients the practical benefits of your solutions.
Justin McKelvey
Founder, SuperDupr
Shifting to a Consulting-Type Service
One of the biggest challenges we’re facing is finding customers who truly understand and are willing to pay for the value we provide. Marketing is often judged solely on immediate results, but in reality, there’s so much more that goes into it—strategy, branding, positioning, audience research, and long-term relationship building.
To overcome this, we’re planning to shift our approach into a consulting-type service rather than just traditional execution. Instead of simply selling to potential clients, we focus on educating them. Through case studies, in-depth content, and transparent conversations, we highlight the full scope of our work and the long-term impact it delivers. This shift allows us to position ourselves as strategic partners, guiding businesses to make informed marketing decisions rather than just offering services.
For those facing a similar challenge, how do you communicate your value effectively and attract the right clients? Would love to hear insights from others in the space!
John Mac
Senior Growth Consultant, Fluidic Agency
Offering Immersive Audio Experiences
One big challenge we face right now is getting prospective users to make the “mindset leap” from thinking about reading as a purely visual activity to seeing it as a flexible, audio-based experience—especially in the context of academic or long-form content. Most people assume listening is only for podcasts or fiction audiobooks, so convincing them that our platform can transform dry lecture notes or research articles into something they actually enjoy listening to is a real hurdle.
Our strategy is twofold:
“Immersion” Sampling: We partnered with student-led social media groups and offered quick samples of their own course materials converted into audio. Instead of just saying “We can do X,” we show them a snippet of their favorite professor’s lecture or a snippet of a niche research paper—now in a narrative, human-sounding voice. That tiny taste is often enough to break down preconceived notions and show them the immediate utility.
Community-Led Demos: We organize small online “study jam” sessions on platforms like Discord, giving people a live experience of listening to academic papers in real-time. Hearing classmates react to the novelty and say, “Wow, I never thought of listening to a research paper,” fosters a sense of group endorsement that’s far more powerful than any marketing copy.
My advice for others tackling a similar challenge is to offer mini experiences that demonstrate immediate value—especially if you’re asking users to adopt a new behavior. I’d love insights from folks who have successfully changed customer habits in other domains, particularly where the service is so new that potential users aren’t even aware it’s possible. If you’ve found creative ways to bridge that awareness gap, I’d love to hear about it!
Derek Pankaew
CEO & Founder, Listening.com
Doubling Down on Educational Content Marketing
One challenge we’re facing is standing out in a saturated market. There are countless car detailers, and many customers don’t see the difference between a premium service and a basic car wash—until they experience it. The real battle isn’t just getting attention; it’s educating potential customers on why quality detailing matters.
To overcome this, we’ve doubled down on educational content marketing. Instead of just posting “before and after” photos, we create short videos explaining the benefits of ceramic coatings, the science behind paint protection, and the risks of cheap detailing products. This helps customers see the value before they even book an appointment. We also offer free in-person “car care clinics” to build trust and engage potential customers.
I’d love to hear from others in competitive industries—how do you make your brand stand out in a crowded market? Are there unique outreach methods or partnerships that have worked well? Learning from different industries always sparks fresh ideas.
Faqi Faiz
Managing Director, Incar Detailing
Ensuring Seamless Customer Experience Across Touchpoints
One of the biggest challenges in finding new customers is ensuring a seamless customer experience (CX) across multiple touchpoints. With evolving user expectations and intense competition, understanding what drives engagement and conversion is crucial. We tackled this by mapping the customer journey, analyzing pain points, and integrating user-generated content (UGC) to enhance credibility.
By encouraging customers to share testimonials and real-life automation experiences using branded hashtags, we saw a 35% increase in engagement and a 25% boost in conversions. This approach resonated with potential clients by promoting trust and authenticity. Additionally, we leveraged CX insights, monitoring communication channels, gathering customer feedback, and refining interactions based on behavioral data. Prioritizing CX challenges using an objective, data-driven approach has helped streamline our acquisition efforts.
For those facing similar issues, what strategies have worked in refining your CX for better customer acquisition? Have you experimented with UGC or data-driven personalization to optimize engagement?
Gurpreet Kaur
Content Head, BOTSHOT
