Difference between real client and potential client
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 4:42 am
It is important not to confuse potential customers with real customers . While the former have not yet made any purchase, the latter have already acquired one of your products or services.
Real customers are the ultimate goal , but if you want to reach them you medical insurance leads email lists need to work and pamper your potential customers. You need to nurture them with valuable content, resolve their doubts, and gain their trust. Only then will you get them to take the step of becoming paying customers.
To better understand the difference between a real client and a potential client, we present the following comparison table:
Aspect
POTENTIAL CLIENT
REAL CUSTOMER
Definition
Person or company that has shown interest in your products or services, but has not yet made a purchase.
Person or company that has already made a purchase or transaction with your business.
Relationship with the company
They have not yet established a business relationship. They are in the consideration and evaluation stage.
They have established a business relationship by making a purchase. They have previous experience with the brand.
Purchasing behavior
In the research and comparison stage, exploring different options before making a final decision.
They have demonstrated their intention to purchase and have trusted the brand to acquire products or services.
Interaction with the company
They show interest through initial inquiries, content downloads or social media following.
They have closer interaction, through queries, additional requests or comments about their previous experience.
Needs and objectives
They look for detailed information, demonstrations or quality guarantees before making a decision.
They are interested in special offers, upgrades or additional services.
Marketing approach
Tailor your message and approach to meet their specific needs and goals, providing information and building trust.
Customize strategies to maintain engagement, foster loyalty and promote future purchases.
Main objective
Convert them into real clients through nurturing and persuasion strategies.
Retain them, build loyalty and promote customer lifetime value.
Understanding these differences will allow you to effectively tailor your marketing strategies to address the specific needs and goals of each type of customer. This will maximize your sales opportunities and foster long-lasting relationships with your customers.
3 examples to identify potential clients
Examples help us better understand how to identify a potential client . Here we share 3 practical examples of different types of businesses and how to recognize their potential clients. Take note of the ideas and signs that reveal who your prospects are.
Law firm
Imagine that you have a law firm specializing in labor law. Your potential clients will be those people who are looking for information about their rights as workers , who have had a conflict in their company or who need legal advice on labor matters.
How do you identify them? Here are some signs that will help you spot them:
They frequently visit your website pages related to labor law, articles on dismissals, compensation, contracts, etc.
Your guides or ebooks about labor rights are downloaded .
People ask you questions on social media about work-related issues, such as "What do I do if my boss doesn't pay me overtime?" or "Can I claim my severance pay if I left voluntarily?"
They subscribe to your newsletter specializing in labor law, where you share legal advice and news for workers.
They write to you directly to request an initial consultation or to ask you about your employment advisory services.
All of these behaviors indicate a clear interest in labor law and a possible need for legal advice. So if you spot someone with these signs, don't hesitate! You have a high-value potential client in front of you.
English school
Let's say you run a language school. Your potential clients will be people interested in learning or improving their English , whether for work, academic or personal reasons.
How do you recognize them? Pay attention to these clues:
They sign up for your free webinars on English learning techniques.
They sign up for your newsletter where you share resources, exercises and tips to learn English in an enjoyable and effective way.
They ask you for information about your courses , dates, schedules, prices, levels, etc.
They frequently visit the “Courses” section of your website and spend considerable time exploring the different options you offer.
They follow you and mention you on social media , sharing your posts or asking questions about learning English.
Each of these actions demonstrates a clear interest in improving their level of English and a possible intention to enroll in one of your courses. These are signs that you cannot ignore if you want to fill your classrooms with motivated students.
We recommend reading our post on specific digital marketing tips for academies .
Construction company
Imagine that you work in a construction and renovation company. Your potential clients will be individuals or companies that are thinking about doing work , that need quotes or that are looking for inspiration for their projects. If you want to know more, we recommend our post on digital marketing for construction companies .
How do you spot them? Look for these behaviors:
They frequently visit the "Projects" section of your website , where you showcase your most outstanding work.
Your digital catalogues or magazines are downloaded with ideas and trends in interior design and construction.
They ask you for a quote when it comes to renovating their home, business premises or office.
They write to you to ask for advice on what materials to use, what layout is best for their space, or how to solve problems with humidity, lighting, etc.
They interact with your social media posts , liking or commenting on your projects.
If you spot someone with this type of behavior, you have a potential client interested in your construction and renovation services. Someone who, with a little nurturing on your part, will end up becoming your next project. This is where we recommend that you look for the best inbound marketing agencies in Spain to lend you a hand in this enormous challenge.
Real customers are the ultimate goal , but if you want to reach them you medical insurance leads email lists need to work and pamper your potential customers. You need to nurture them with valuable content, resolve their doubts, and gain their trust. Only then will you get them to take the step of becoming paying customers.
To better understand the difference between a real client and a potential client, we present the following comparison table:
Aspect
POTENTIAL CLIENT
REAL CUSTOMER
Definition
Person or company that has shown interest in your products or services, but has not yet made a purchase.
Person or company that has already made a purchase or transaction with your business.
Relationship with the company
They have not yet established a business relationship. They are in the consideration and evaluation stage.
They have established a business relationship by making a purchase. They have previous experience with the brand.
Purchasing behavior
In the research and comparison stage, exploring different options before making a final decision.
They have demonstrated their intention to purchase and have trusted the brand to acquire products or services.
Interaction with the company
They show interest through initial inquiries, content downloads or social media following.
They have closer interaction, through queries, additional requests or comments about their previous experience.
Needs and objectives
They look for detailed information, demonstrations or quality guarantees before making a decision.
They are interested in special offers, upgrades or additional services.
Marketing approach
Tailor your message and approach to meet their specific needs and goals, providing information and building trust.
Customize strategies to maintain engagement, foster loyalty and promote future purchases.
Main objective
Convert them into real clients through nurturing and persuasion strategies.
Retain them, build loyalty and promote customer lifetime value.
Understanding these differences will allow you to effectively tailor your marketing strategies to address the specific needs and goals of each type of customer. This will maximize your sales opportunities and foster long-lasting relationships with your customers.
3 examples to identify potential clients
Examples help us better understand how to identify a potential client . Here we share 3 practical examples of different types of businesses and how to recognize their potential clients. Take note of the ideas and signs that reveal who your prospects are.
Law firm
Imagine that you have a law firm specializing in labor law. Your potential clients will be those people who are looking for information about their rights as workers , who have had a conflict in their company or who need legal advice on labor matters.
How do you identify them? Here are some signs that will help you spot them:
They frequently visit your website pages related to labor law, articles on dismissals, compensation, contracts, etc.
Your guides or ebooks about labor rights are downloaded .
People ask you questions on social media about work-related issues, such as "What do I do if my boss doesn't pay me overtime?" or "Can I claim my severance pay if I left voluntarily?"
They subscribe to your newsletter specializing in labor law, where you share legal advice and news for workers.
They write to you directly to request an initial consultation or to ask you about your employment advisory services.
All of these behaviors indicate a clear interest in labor law and a possible need for legal advice. So if you spot someone with these signs, don't hesitate! You have a high-value potential client in front of you.
English school
Let's say you run a language school. Your potential clients will be people interested in learning or improving their English , whether for work, academic or personal reasons.
How do you recognize them? Pay attention to these clues:
They sign up for your free webinars on English learning techniques.
They sign up for your newsletter where you share resources, exercises and tips to learn English in an enjoyable and effective way.
They ask you for information about your courses , dates, schedules, prices, levels, etc.
They frequently visit the “Courses” section of your website and spend considerable time exploring the different options you offer.
They follow you and mention you on social media , sharing your posts or asking questions about learning English.
Each of these actions demonstrates a clear interest in improving their level of English and a possible intention to enroll in one of your courses. These are signs that you cannot ignore if you want to fill your classrooms with motivated students.
We recommend reading our post on specific digital marketing tips for academies .
Construction company
Imagine that you work in a construction and renovation company. Your potential clients will be individuals or companies that are thinking about doing work , that need quotes or that are looking for inspiration for their projects. If you want to know more, we recommend our post on digital marketing for construction companies .
How do you spot them? Look for these behaviors:
They frequently visit the "Projects" section of your website , where you showcase your most outstanding work.
Your digital catalogues or magazines are downloaded with ideas and trends in interior design and construction.
They ask you for a quote when it comes to renovating their home, business premises or office.
They write to you to ask for advice on what materials to use, what layout is best for their space, or how to solve problems with humidity, lighting, etc.
They interact with your social media posts , liking or commenting on your projects.
If you spot someone with this type of behavior, you have a potential client interested in your construction and renovation services. Someone who, with a little nurturing on your part, will end up becoming your next project. This is where we recommend that you look for the best inbound marketing agencies in Spain to lend you a hand in this enormous challenge.