Apologies for repeating word for word.  These hints come direct from Seth Godin’s blog and summarise very succinctly the key points for getting new customers .

“1. A group of possible customers you can identify and reach.
2. A group with a problem they want to solve using your solution.
3. A group with the desire and ability to spend money to solve that problem.”

He goes on to say that the first one is critical, but also that it is all too common for new businesses not to have any of the above.