Customer Acquisition: The Simple Marketing Fix When You’re Getting “Maybe” Leads
Customer acquisition doesn’t fail because you need more leads.
It fails because the leads you attract don’t match your offer.
If your inbox is full of “How much is it?” and “Let me think about it,” you don’t have a visibility problem.
You have a matching problem.
You’re attracting curious people, not committed buyers.
And that creates a cycle:
More posting → more calls → more ghosts → more frustration.
By the end of this, you’ll know how to tighten customer acquisition so the right people raise their hand, and the wrong people self-select out.
Use this framework: The 3 Filters (so leads qualify themselves)
Filter 1: The “Who This Is For” Line
Make your target buyer feel seen, and everyone else feel slightly uncomfortable.
Examples:
“For early-stage founders who already have sales but want predictable lead flow.”
“For creators with an audience who want a paid offer that doesn’t feel scammy.”
“For job seekers applying to 30 roles a week and getting no callbacks.”
Filter 2: The “What It Includes” Snapshot
Give a clear, boring process.
Boring equals safe.
Template:
“In 14 days, we do X, Y, Z. You get A deliverables. You’ll know it’s working when B happens.”
Filter 3: The “What It Costs” Reality Check
Price isn’t just a number.
It’s a signal.
Even if you don’t list pricing publicly, you can set a boundary:
“This is not a $99 template.”
“This is a done-with-you sprint, not coaching.”
“This requires 2 hours of your time weekly.”
Mini scenario:
You offer a brand strategy package.
Weak acquisition post:
“I help businesses grow with branding. DM me.”
Stronger acquisition post using 3 Filters:
Who: “For service founders doing $3k–$10k months who want a clear positioning statement.”
Includes: “2 workshops + messaging doc + homepage rewrite outline in 10 days.”
Cost reality: “Not for people who want a logo. This is about sales clarity.”
See what happened?
You didn’t get more aggressive.
You got more specific.
Quick checklist you can apply today:
Did I name the exact person I help?
Did I describe the process in 1–2 lines?
Did I set a cost/effort expectation so tourists opt out?
Customer acquisition gets easier when you stop trying to be for everyone.
What kind of leads are you attracting right now: curious, price-shopping, or ready-to-buy?
Comment one word and tell me what you sell. I’ll help you write a “3 Filters” version of your next post.
Tolu Ojewunmi and Nelson Ingle2 Comments
Yes Victor, finding your niche is critical!
if we build something for everyone, means it’s for no one, it shows a lack of focus.
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@nelson I agree! Trying to appeal to everyone often leads to a diluted product that doesn’t truly resonate with anyone. Focusing on a specific niche allows for deeper understanding of customer needs and more effective solutions.
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