5 Ways to Find Clients Online
Finding clients, especially for new business owners, can be difficult. I get that it can be challenging - we’ve all been there, my friend. So, to help you navigate life and client building in self-employment, I’m sharing 5 ways to find clients online - and, go!
5 ways to find clients online
(like right now)
One | Leverage your existing network
That’s right, start with what you’ve got. And, I want to be clear here that your existing network means 👇
Your friends
Your family
Your former and existing clients
Your community on social media
We’re talking people you have a good relationship with or have at least established rapport with. Let them know that you’re currently accepting clients and they get first dibs.
And, it doesn’t have to be too…salesy. You can simply say something like, “For the first time in a while I’m opening up client spots and you immediately came to mind. Whether you’re on the search for (insert your services here) or you know someone else who is, I would love it if you were open to passing my information along. Thank you!”
Also, re: social media. POST. SHARE. LET THE PEOPLE KNOW! How will your future clients know you’ve got availability? Say it and say it proud.
Two | Join Facebook groups
THIS ONE RIGHT HERE. I’ll apologize now for the all-caps situation there, but it’s necessary. Facebook groups have been so incredibly helpful for me and for my clients. Not only do they help me build my wonderful client base, they’re an easy place for my clients to find me.
This means, my clients aren’t having to search for hours and hours. If I see someone post that they need help building their small business or promoting their freelance work to the right people, I comment with my information, PM them some additional details, and let them decide if we’re a good mutual fit.
Bada bing bada boom.
Three | Explore paid ads on social
Paid ads connect you with people who are either consciously or subconsciously looking for you, your business, and your services.
I get it - paid ads on social media can be scary! They can sound expensive and confusing and you just don’t have the time for that. I’m here to tell you that you can do this.
I’ve run social ads for businesses with $50 budgets and for businesses with $18K budgets. And, it’s absolutely possible to see results no matter how small your budget is.
Here are a few of the recommendations I share with my clients:
Start small. If you have a $25 budget, great! Dip your toes in with that. Then, scale.
Have a strategy in place. What is it that you want your future clients to know when they see your ad(s)?
Focus on the emotional appeal - make your future clients feel something that translates to them wanting to take action.*
Four | Create a challenge
This is a fun one! Create a challenge that gets people talking, doing, and/or making — and most importantly, sharing. Use a hashtag for said challenge and ask folx to tag you in it so you can share. Challenges help your future clients/customers actively participate in a conversation by creating their own take on it.
Think back to challenges we’ve seen over the years like the ice bucket challenge and the mannequin challenge. They were memorable in their own ways. While yours may or may not include a charitable portion, it’s okay to use them to increase brand awareness for your business.
Here are a few examples of how to utilize a challenge in your marketing strategy:
Do you sell foodie-inspired products? Create a cooking challenge that encourages your community to try out a trendy recipe or new concept.
Do you offer wedding photography? Create a challenge that encourages your community to create their wedding looks from household items (no wedding dresses or suits allowed!).
Do you offer interior design services? Create a challenge that encourages your community to draw their dream home in Instagram stories and offer a prize for the most creative entry!
Remember — make it accessible, doable, and easy to record 😉
Five | Share real reviews
The most important of all — word of mouth marketing. Let your clients do the work for you. Well, not totally, but let them help you.
The most powerful form of marketing is word of mouth. It’s real reviews, it’s your future clients hearing from your existing/current clients, it’s showing your capability and breadth of knowledge.
Create a short questionnaire and send it off to your clients to capture their experience working with you. Here are a few ways you can then use that insight:
In your social media posts
On your website
In creating Pinterest Pins
In your ad campaigns (yessss)
And, in any other marketing materials you may employ
There you go - 5 ways to find clients online starting NOW. I can’t wait to hear what you try out first! Share in the comments here or on Instagram.
*If ads or creating challenges sounds fun, yet confusing — get in touch. I’m here to help.
- Gabriella
