Starting a business can be an exciting and rewarding journey! But I wouldn’t be surprised if the biggest challenge you face is finding clients.
Learning digital skills is the easy part. Getting clients and turning that into a profitable business, that’s where it can really get complicated!
It's easy to fall into the trap of relying solely on job boards and cold pitches, but there are much more effective ways to build your business.
One of the most powerful methods is leveraging your personal network to get introductions and referrals.
This becomes easier once you start connecting with people who need what you have to offer.
In this post, we'll give you some tips for finding clients through introductions, referrals, and networking.
This is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s a great starting point for you to find what works best for you and your business!
Finding clients is all about genuinely connecting with people.
It's not about forcing sales pitches or being pushy. Trust me, sales do NOT have to feel icky.
Instead, try to really connect with people and understand how you can help them.
Now, where do you actually start?
The easiest way to start finding clients locally is by joining groups and organizations that align with your business interests. And you can start with local organizations, such as:
This can be an excellent opportunity to meet people and build professional relationships. So look them up in your region and see how you can get involved!
If you're more comfortable online, Facebook groups can also be an excellent resource for finding clients.
Joining groups where people share common interests or where your target audience hangs out can help you spark conversations and make connections.
And remember, the key is to give more than you take. Don’t be afraid of being helpful and sharing free value. This is a great way to build a name for yourself.
Building relationships and establishing trust takes time, so be patient.
Remember, the goal is not just to find clients but to build lasting connections that can help you grow your business over time.
Now let’s talk about two key factors to keep in mind when making connections.
Showing up and answering questions within your expertise is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge.
It also shows you’re willing to help and gives them a taste of what it’s like to work with you.
Even when you don’t know the answer, you can also help by referring them to someone else.
In Facebook groups, for example, tagging someone who can provide a helpful answer to a question can show that even when you don’t personally know the answer, you’re still trying to help.
This leaves a mark and can lead to deeper conversations down the line.
It's important to remember that people are generally more interested in themselves than others.
While it's great to have a clear elevator pitch for your services, it's also important to listen to others and ask questions that relate to their interests and needs.
By showing interest in others, you can build genuine relationships and establish trust.
Remember, all these connections you make can lead to potential business opportunities.
Ask questions and give them space to share their needs and values. This will give you valuable information about what they’re looking for.
Now, let’s talk about the easiest way to get a consistent client flow in your business: Networking, referrals and introductions.
By tapping into your existing relationships, you can get a foot in the door with clients who may not have even been on your radar.
Let’s talk about how each of them can help you grow your online career.
Networking can sound like a serious word, but they don’t have to be formal.
You can also network with people you already know. Fellow entrepreneurs or those with a side gig can be a great source of connections.
Building a network of people is super important in this approach to finding clients. And you can 100% leverage the network you already have.
Even if you’re just starting out, think about friends and family that have businesses you could help. Or maybe they have some people in their network that would be good connections.
The first step is to get the word out.
What’s the best way to get referrals? Well, by referring others…
Referrals can be a powerful tool for expanding your network and demonstrating your willingness to share your expertise and connections with others.
It's important to remember that you don't have to be an expert in everything.
It's totally okay to refer potential clients to someone else who is better equipped to handle their needs.
By doing this, you can build trust and authority with your network and position yourself as someone who is willing to help in any way possible.
And it’s human nature to reciprocate - referring other professionals is a great way to get them to refer you.
What brings us to introductions…
Introductions are a powerful way to start conversations on the right foot.
By having someone introduce you to a potential client, you can create a warm handoff that establishes trust and credibility from the beginning.
This is much more effective than trying to reach out to people who you don’t have a connection with yet.
One strategy is to consider who your family and friends may know that could benefit from your services, and ask for an introduction.
This takes the cold pitch out of the process and can make it less intimidating for both parties.
It's important to have a system for follow-up as well, as people are busy and may not respond right away.
Finding the communication channels that they are comfortable with, like email or Facebook Messenger, can help improve the chances of making a connection.
It's important to listen to what people are telling you and take them at face value.
Don't be afraid to follow up, and don't assume that you're bothering people. It's always better to get a confirmed "no" than to tell yourself stories and miss out on potential opportunities.
Give people space to talk about themselves and their needs, and then repeat it back to them to ensure you understand what they're looking for.
Remember, finding clients is a skill that takes practice.
Some people may have a natural ability for it, but everyone can improve and develop their own system.
Connecting with people is a simple principle, but doing it consistently can be challenging.
Setting a goal, like reaching out to five people in a week, can be an achievable starting point.
When it comes to building successful personal and professional relationships, there's one key skill that can make all the difference: active listening.
So many people fail to truly listen and take in what others are saying.
They get caught up in their own thoughts, assumptions, and stories, and miss out on the valuable insights and needs being shared right in front of them.
Active listening is all about fully focusing on the person speaking, setting aside our own biases and assumptions, and really hearing and understanding what they have to say.
It's about being present, attentive, and responsive.
But active listening isn't always easy. It's a skill that takes practice, and it can be challenging to silence our own inner dialogue and fully engage with others.
The first step to becoming a better active listener is to simply pay attention:
As you become more comfortable with active listening, you can start to develop additional techniques. For example, paraphrasing what the other person has said to show that you understand.
Active listening is not only a valuable skill in building stronger personal relationships but also super important in your professional journey.
If you can fully understand a client or customer's needs, you'll be better equipped to provide effective solutions.
Bonus tip: if you can articulate someone's problem better than they can, they will be confident that you also have the solution.
So, next time you're in a conversation, try to approach it through the lens of active listening.
Focus on really hearing and understanding the other person's perspective, and see how it changes the way you connect and build relationships.
Finding clients is a big challenge for many entrepreneurs.
But by following these tips and principles, you can take the first steps toward building a strong network of professional connections.
Remember, it's all about finding what works best for you and your business, so keep trying different strategies until you find the ones that click.
Finding clients through networking requires a long-term strategy that focuses on building relationships and establishing trust.
It’s a process that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to help others.
By keeping these principles in mind, you can take the first steps toward building a successful and sustainable business.
Download our FREE PDF to help you overcome your fears, clarify your conversation, and land your next client (perfect for phone calls, video chats, DM's, email & even in-person meetings)!
148 Discovery Call Questions you can use to mix & match the perfect profitable call!
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