When you’re just starting out with your business, finding clients can be a constant struggle between being overbooked and staring at an empty calendar. In fact, it’s usually a reality for most business owners. If you want to break out of the feast and famine cycle, this one’s for you! 

The following strategies are quick and actionable and perfect for that time in the month when you need a quick influx of cash or find a stream of clients fast. Best of all, you don’t need to spend money on marketing or prepare a new strategy for days in advance.

01. Ask your friends and family

Your friends and family may not need your services or perhaps you don’t like to mix business with pleasure but they have their own network of people who just might be looking for what you have to offer.

Send your friends and family a quick email, remind them what you do, and ask if they can forward the email to anyone who might be looking for your product or a service. It’s even better if you can hop on the phone — it gives you an opportunity to catch up with them as well.

02. Partner up

Ask a fellow business owner with similar or complementary services to be an affiliate or a referral partner. Of all the years I’ve been in business, most of my clients have come through referrals. Having a business bestie that offers services complementary to yours and sends clients your way is like having a salesperson without actually hiring one.

For example, if you’re a business coach, you could partner up with copywriters or designers. If you’re a yoga instructor, you could ask health and wellness coaches for referrals.

The best part about this is that you get more clients on a consistent basis which means more stable income and more money. And if you’re referring clients to others, you get a commission which means a nice little side income.

03. Join a professional group or mastermind

Consider joining your local chamber of commerce. When I was just starting out, this was one of the first things I looked into. In most cases, you’ll have to pay an annual fee but there’s a lot to benefit from paying it. You can get listed on their websites, apply for speaking gigs, and attend events they organize to network with other business owners in your area.

Similarly, a mastermind that speaks to your niche is a great way to get connected with others. For example, Female Entrepreneurs Association is a low-cost membership with thousands of active business owners that you can learn from, partner up with, and create lasting friendships.

04. Reach out to past clients

If you’ve worked with clients before, you can reach out to them and ask them if they need any help. You’ll find that many times, our past clients could really use our services again but, like most of us, are too busy and distracted to reach out. And even if they don’t need your help right now, they might know someone who does.

One thing to keep in mind though — when you reach out to your past clients, be sure to show interest in how they are doing and how their business is doing before going in for the ask. It shows that you are interested in them rather than just your own benefit.

05. Create a limited time offer

A limited time offer is perfect for special occasions like an end-of-summer sale or holiday special. It allows potential clients to get a taste for what it’s like working with you or to try one of your products before committing to a high-ticket item. Make a one-off package and promote it several times a day on Instagram, Facebook, and any other social media channel you’re using.

06. Reach out to others in your industry

Working for yourself is great, yes, but you still need to network with other business owners and freelancers. They might seem like competition at first, but if you stop viewing them as such and instead think of ways you can establish a mutually beneficial relationship, you’d be surprised at how your perspective can change.

It is entirely possible that a fellow entrepreneur is currently overbooked or that one of their potential clients is not a good fit for them. Reach out and ask them if they have any clients that they can’t take on and make it known that you are available. Don’t forget to keep their name handy and keep them in mind when you are overbooked and need to pass on work to someone else.

07. Ask around in your community

Your own community can be a hidden treasure-trove of clients. Think of any small business owners or entrepreneurs, or even neighbors that could use your services. Do you know a couple that could use some relationship advice? Is your neighbor in need of a pet sitter or a babysitter? What about your local snack bar that doesn’t have a website?

Use the time off to get out of the house and establish a relationship with your neighbors — ask them if they could use your services or even ask them if you can leave a few business cards at their location.

08. Make use of social media

Join and actively participate in Facebook groups related to your industry. Nowadays, almost everyone is a member of at least a few Facebook groups. They are great for connecting with people who like the same things we do and they’re also a great opportunity to create loyal fans for your brand.

You can engage in conversations and provide value. Do this consistently and pretty soon, people will start recognizing you as the leader in your industry and be naturally drawn to your posts. As a result, you’re bound to start getting messages from people who want to connect with you and are looking for exactly what you have to offer.

09. Free Discovery Calls Work Wonders

If you’re just getting started, getting people on the phone is the most important thing you can do for your business. Free discovery calls where you help people with one small specific problem are a great way to learn more about your ideal client, what they really need, and help them at the same time so they can see your awesomeness.

You don’t have to give everything away — but give them enough so they can get a taste for what it’s like working with and motivate them to buy the full service or package.

10. Have a website

I really shouldn’t have to say this, but I still come across businesses that don’t have websites! And in 2020, with user-friendly options like Squarespace, there is no excuse for not having a website.

Now, you don’t have to have a super-fancy website with all the bells and whistles if you’re just getting started. But you do have to at least have a website with information about your packages, why someone should hire you, and a way to get the process started.

Even a simple, one-page website is a great place to start. If you already have a website make sure it’s speaking to your target audience and getting them excited to buy from you.

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