Are you tired of spending endless hours searching for new clients? It’s a necessary task, but it doesn’t pay the bills. The key to success is finding and winning high-quality clients, and it’s a skill that’s more valuable than any other talent you possess.
Think about it – you don’t have to be the best in the game to succeed. You just need to be the most accessible and easy to find. And that’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a list of our top 16 ways to attract your dream clients and take your business to the next level.
Whether you’re just starting out or have an established freelancing business, getting quality clients is hard work. But once you find your rhythm, you’ll start attracting new clients with ease. And we’re here to help you do just that.
So, let’s dive in! But first, we’ll show you how to attract the clients you actually want – because who wants to work with clients who aren’t a good fit?
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Where to Find Clients in 2023
To get more clients for your business, the first thing you need to do is find them. Where they are hanging out can depend on their industry and demographic. For instance, if you’re targeting farming businesses, TikTok or Twitch may not be the best platforms to use. Instead, you might want to consider word of mouth or local event marketing.
On the other hand, if you’re in the digital design world, platforms like Dribbble and Behance could be your best bet. To find your dream customers, we’ve put together a list of several techniques and platforms you can use, but not all of them may work for your business.
It’s crucial to understand more about your clients, their favorite chill spots, breakfast cereals, and more, so you can invest your time and money in the right places. The more you know about your clients, the faster and cheaper it is to find top-notch clients.
Once you know what kind of clients you want and where to find them, it’s time to get your hands dirty. We’ll walk you through our favorite methods for getting more clients, step by step. You don’t need to use every tactic; just focus on the 2 or 3 (maybe 4) that work best for your business.
Give each of the tactics a try, and when you find one that works, invest more of your time and money into it. If it keeps working, don’t worry about trying all the other tactics yet—just keep doing what you’re doing.
16 Tips to Get More Clients
1. Help Clients Find Your Business
If you’re a business owner, you know how important it is to attract clients without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help your clients find you first.
Build a Professional Website
A website is essential for any business owner who wants to be taken seriously. Your site doesn’t need to be fancy; it just needs to communicate what you do and look professional. Include your website in your email signature, bio, and social media profiles to drive leads to your site.
Build Your Portfolio
Having a polished portfolio is crucial for any business owner, but how can you build one when clients want to see one before they hire you? Start by considering pro bono work for friends or passion projects. Don’t forget to leverage your education and past job experience. Request recommendations from your mentors or bosses to build credibility.
Get Active on Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool to attract potential clients. Post valuable content on the platforms your clients use, and keep your profiles professional. Google your name to see what potential clients will find when they search for you online. Make sure your profiles reflect the image you want to portray and link back to your website and portfolio.
LinkedIn Is Your Friend
LinkedIn is a powerful platform for building your professional image and attracting clients. Spend time completing your profile, listing your skills, and gathering recommendations from your network. Be sure to post valuable content and engage with potential clients in your industry.
- Learn more about LinkedIn marketing.
2. Leverage Referrals and Networking
The best way to find new clients is through referrals. Referrals are already vetted by someone you trust, so they are more likely to be a good fit for your business. You can ask your colleagues, friends, family members, and mentors for referrals. You can also attend in-person and online events to network and meet new people.
However, don’t just focus on finding clients. Instead, provide value to the community and build relationships. Share content on social media, comment on other people’s posts, and start conversations. Even if someone may not be a potential client, they may know someone who is.
3. Niche Down Your Target Market
It’s tempting to want to serve everyone, but that’s not always the best strategy. Instead, find your target market and niche down even further. For example, if you want to be a fitness consultant, you can focus on businesses. If you want to be a nutrition consultant, you can focus on tech companies.
By narrowing down your target market, you can better understand their needs and create a more tailored approach to your services. This will help you attract the right clients and build a strong reputation within your niche.
4. Start a Blog
One effective way to attract potential clients is by starting a blog and creating high-quality content that provides value to them.
For instance, if you offer email marketing consulting to SaaS startups, you can write articles on topics like “How to Get Started With Email Marketing Automation” or “How to Build an Email List.” By doing so, your prospective clients will come across your content, get familiar with your brand, and begin to trust you. This, in turn, can make it easier for you to offer your services.
However, keep in mind that building a blog that ranks for high-value keywords takes time and requires a long-term strategy. If you’re up for the challenge, commit to consistently writing valuable content that ranks well. But if that’s too much, you can skip to the next tip.
- Learn more about how to start a blog.
5. Guest Blog on High-Performing Websites
If you don’t have your own blog or don’t want to start one, that’s okay. You can still reach a wider audience by contributing content to top-performing blogs in your industry.
Many blogs are always on the lookout for more content, and as long as you’re not a direct competitor, they’ll likely be open to your contributions. You can provide free content to the blog’s community with a soft push to learn more about you by visiting your website or reading another relevant article you’ve written.
Some blogs may require payment or promotion on your social accounts or website. You can decide what you’re comfortable with or even offer your services in exchange for exposure. For example, you can provide consulting advice in exchange for posting on their website.
6. Host a Webinar
If you’re looking for a way to showcase your expertise and attract more clients, hosting a webinar could be the perfect solution. By sharing your knowledge and teaching your audience valuable skills, you can demonstrate your value and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
For instance, let’s say you’re an SEO consultant. You could host a webinar where you explain the ins and outs of on-page and backend SEO. By the end of your presentation, attendees will have a better understanding of how SEO works and how it can benefit their business.
But don’t stop there. Add a call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your webinar encouraging attendees to contact you for further help. This is your chance to showcase your services and demonstrate how you can provide quick and reliable solutions to their SEO needs.
By hosting a webinar, you can make a lasting impression on potential clients and position yourself as an expert in your field.
7. Grow Your Email List the Right Way
First things first, always get consent before adding someone to your marketing email list. It’s important to respect people’s privacy and avoid spamming. You can use different strategies to grow your email list, such as creating valuable content like blog posts, guides, and webinars. Offering your services, industry updates, and referral compensation can also help. Remember to keep your subscribers engaged with interesting content.
- Learn more about how to build an email list.
8. Engage with Communities on Facebook and LinkedIn
Facebook and LinkedIn groups are great places to find engaged communities interested in your services. But before you start promoting your services, take your time to provide value, build relationships, and establish rapport with the members of the community. Share links to valuable content and ask meaningful questions.
Slowly but surely, people will recognize your expertise and may directly ask for your help or refer you to someone in need. The relationships you build can also lead to partnerships and future opportunities. So take it slow and focus on building strong relationships.
9. Make Use of Job Boards
When you’re looking for new clients, job boards can be a great resource. Many businesses turn to these platforms to find quick help when they can’t get a referral. To take advantage of this opportunity, you just need to find the right job post, apply, and win the project.
Here are some of our top picks for job boards:
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- ZipRecruiter
- Monster
Usually, you’ll just need to submit your resume and maybe some work samples to apply. However, to stand out from the competition, use this chance to offer valuable advice from the beginning. For example, if the client needs help with their website, take a look at what they have and suggest some improvements. If they’re rolling out a new PR campaign, offer some ideas and talk about how you can help make them happen.
You might feel like you’re giving away free advice, but this is what can help you win gigs. Instead of applying to every job you see, focus on a handful that you’re really interested in. Spend 30 minutes on each application, customizing your approach to the specific client’s needs. When they choose you as their new consultant, it will have been well worth your effort.
10. Collaborate with Like-Minded Businesses to Expand Your Reach
As a consultant or freelancer, working with businesses that offer similar but not competing services can be a great way to expand your client base. For instance, if you offer cyber security consulting services, teaming up with software implementation consultants or computer builders can be an excellent way to offer more comprehensive services to your clients.
The beauty of collaborating with non-competing businesses is that you can provide each other with referrals, which can benefit everyone involved. By working together, you can recommend each other to your clients, which not only helps your clients get the best possible services but also helps you expand your reach.
Furthermore, by building relationships with other consultants now, you can establish a network of trusted partners that can come in handy when you’re overwhelmed with work. Instead of leaving potential clients high and dry when you’re too busy, you can refer them to your partners who are less busy at the time.
So, don’t wait until you’re drowning in work to start building those relationships. Other consultants are likely facing similar issues, and by becoming a reliable and less-busy alternative for them, you can establish a mutually beneficial partnership that can benefit everyone involved.
11. Create an Online Course
Creating an online course can be a great way to showcase your talents, make passive income, and set yourself apart from other consultants in your industry. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Choose a Relevant Topic: Select a topic that is relevant to your clients and industry. If you’re a social media consultant, for example, consider creating a course that teaches businesses how to build a presence on platforms like Snapchat or TikTok.
- Develop Your Content: Once you’ve chosen your topic, start developing your course content. This may include creating video tutorials, designing worksheets and exercises, and writing informative articles.
- Determine Your Price Point: Consider how much you want to charge for your course. Look at what other courses in your industry are charging and adjust accordingly.
- Promote Your Course: Once your course is ready to launch, it’s time to promote it. Share it on social media, email it to your existing clients and contacts, and consider running ads to attract new students.
Remember, creating a course takes time and effort, but the rewards can be substantial. By showcasing your expertise and providing value to your clients, you can attract new business and establish yourself as a leader in your industry.
- Learn more about how to create an online course.
12. Offer Something For Free
If you’re having a tough time landing clients and building your portfolio, offering something extra might do the trick. But hold on – we’re not suggesting that you offer no-pay internships or anything of the sort. Instead, think about what you can give your potential clients that’ll persuade them to take a chance on you.
Here are some ideas:
- eBook: Write a short eBook that showcases your knowledge and expertise, and offer it for free on your website in exchange for an email address. This way, you not only demonstrate your skills but also get an opportunity to connect with potential clients through their inbox.
- Discounts: Provide a limited-time discount to new clients who sign up with you right away. But be careful not to come across as desperate – instead, frame it as a seasonal gift or exclusive deal that they won’t want to miss out on. This can encourage them to act fast and seal the deal with you.
- Free Consultation: Consider a free consultation as a teaser advice. Let your potential clients share their needs, and then offer a glimpse of the solution that they’ll want to hire you to make it happen. Avoid giving away too much information, or they might just do it themselves. But, also make sure to offer enough to build their trust in you.
Remember, offering something for free or at a discount is not the ultimate solution.
13. Become a Guest on Podcast
Podcasts can be a great way to showcase your expertise and get more clients. Guest interviews are a common feature in many podcasts, and as a guest, you can provide valuable insights on a topic.
Sharing your knowledge with an audience can help convince someone to hire you or visit your website, where you can further engage with them. But where do you start?
Begin by identifying your area of expertise and finding podcasts that align with your interests. If you’re already a podcast listener, that’s a plus. Start with smaller podcasts and work your way up to more established ones.
It’s important to note that you don’t need to aim for the most successful podcasts right away. Starting small allows you to build your podcast portfolio and gain experience. Look for up-and-coming podcasts and try to get on their radar.
Once you land an opportunity to be a guest on a podcast, use that interview to your advantage. Share it on social media, add it to your website, and use it as a talking point to land more podcast interviews. The more exposure you get, the more opportunities you’ll have to showcase your expertise and attract new clients.
So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and share your knowledge with the world. With a little effort and persistence, podcast interviews can be a valuable tool in growing your business.
14. Keep Your Clients Coming Back
When it comes to building a successful business, it’s not all about finding new customers. In fact, nurturing your existing clients can be one of the best ways to ensure a steady stream of business. Here are some tips to help you keep your current customers coming back for more:
- Offer ongoing services: If you’ve completed a project for a client, don’t just stop there. Let them know that you can continue to provide services to them, whether that’s managing a social media program or scheduling their content. This way, they’ll see the value in working with you over the long-term.
- Bundle your services: If you offer multiple services, consider bundling them together and offering a discount to clients who use more than one. For example, if you’re a recruitment consultant, offer a discount if they’ll also hire you for healthcare plans or compensation. This not only increases the value of your services, but also makes it more appealing for clients to work with you.
- Be proactive: Your clients may not know about all of the services you offer, so make sure to get on their radar. Let them know about your other services and how they can benefit from them. By being proactive, you can stay top of mind and prevent them from looking elsewhere for help.
Remember, finding new clients takes time and effort. By focusing on your current customers and providing ongoing value, you can build strong relationships and create a steady flow of business.
15. Reconnect with Old Clients
If you’re looking to expand your client base, reaching out to old clients and prospects is a great place to start. It’s an easy way to tap into potential business opportunities without having to go through the whole process of building trust from scratch.
When it comes to reconnecting with old clients, remember that trust is key. If you had a good working relationship with them before, they’re more likely to work with you again if they’re in need of your services. So don’t hesitate to drop them a friendly message or give them a quick call to see if they have any upcoming projects.
But what if your old clients don’t need your help? No worries! Another approach is to reach out to old prospects who may not have had the opportunity to work with you in the past. Perhaps they weren’t ready to commit to a project before, or they didn’t have enough budget at the time. However, things can change quickly in the business world, so it’s worth reaching out to see if they have any new projects on the horizon.
16. Use Freelancing Platforms
If you’re looking for more clients, you might be tempted to use freelancing platforms like Upwork, Freelancer.com, and Fiverr to find work. However, before you do, there are a few things you should consider.
Firstly, these platforms take a cut of your profits. This means that you’ll earn less money than if you found your own clients. Secondly, using these platforms can lead to fierce competition with other freelancers, which can drive prices down.
Of course, there are some benefits to using freelancing platforms. For example, if you’re just starting out and don’t have many clients, these platforms can help you quickly find work and build your portfolio.
However, we recommend that you use freelancing platforms only as a last resort, after you’ve tried all other options, such as networking and using social media platforms like LinkedIn. That way, you can maximize your earnings and avoid the competition that comes with using freelancing platforms.
So, if you’re considering using a freelancing platform, remember to proceed with caution and be prepared to put in some extra effort to stand out from the competition.
How to Get Clients You Want
As a business owner, you want clients who make your life better—not worse. But how do you find these golden clients? Here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Define Your Ideal Client
Before you start looking for clients, decide what kind of clients you want to work with. Think about how they treat you, how they act, and how the business relationship works. Will you work with difficult clients if they pay well, or will you prioritize your happiness over cash? Making these decisions upfront will save you a lot of trouble later on.
2. Find Your Clients in the Right Places
Poor clients tend to hang out in similar places. You may find that clients on freelancing platforms are less respectful to your business, while clients referred by friends and colleagues tend to be more considerate. So, spend less time on freelancing platforms and focus more on referrals. Also, certain industries may match your personality and consulting experience better than others.
3. Price Yourself Appropriately
Pricing is important for both you and your client. Don’t be willing to settle for less than you’re worth. Set a price that makes you feel fulfilled when completing a job, but also reasonable for the client.
4. Set and Maintain Your Standards
Set rules and expectations upfront, and don’t compromise later. For example, if you choose to never work after hours or on weekends, let your client know from the beginning. While emergencies happen, stick to your standards as much as possible.
5. Take a Risk and Go After Big Opportunities
Want to win big clients? Take a risk and go for it. While many will reject you, some won’t. Remember, you don’t need a ton of clients—you just need a few really good ones. So, be brave and go after those big opportunities.