One of the challenges I will be met with this week is I will be hosting a Facebook live tomorrow, presenting how I gain clients without any type of online or in-person networking. I’m doing this lesson for my favorite Facebook group called, “Virtual Networking Community for Introvert-preneurs“. There is some incentive involved, but it will also help me finally record myself in front of a live FB audience…well, for those that stop by and check it out of course!
What I will cover is three ways to gain clients without networking. This is what I came up with:
1 – Referrals are key!
Obviously the most effective way to gain clients without networking is referrals. I can’t tell you how many referrals I have received over the years that has ultimately powered my business without a lot of marketing involved. When I first started out in my business, my ultimate goal was to build my reputation by working small, tedious projects, but it was well worth the effort in the long-run. Since that time, I pride myself in my work and by making great first impressions with new clients, they will most likely refer you to their friends or colleagues in need of your services.
If you are in a place that you feel you need to build up your business, reach out to your current client base, providing you have a good relationship with them and let them know your desire to increase your client load. Most likely, they will share your information with other business colleagues to get in contact with. I’ve done this time-to-time when I’ve had a client move on and no longer need my services. And I have been successful with it.
2 – Build Relationships (aka “Relationship Marketing”)
One of the most important aspects of the service(s) you offer is you build trust and relationships over time with your clients. Relationship marketing has become a “household name” over the past few years and just makes sense. With all the hype and “shiny objects” offered online now, it really boils down to create an authentic and caring image when you present yourself online, not someone who sticks a label on a product or service and doesn’t know a thing about it! I see this scenario all the time! There are so many cheesy sales lines, but nothing to back it up once you’ve bought into it. When selling yourself, be who you say you are and build a great relationship with your new and seasoned clients. I guarantee you will be glad you did.
3 – List Building and Nurturing Your Prospects
One of the most unrecognized and overlooked ways to build your client base is through list building and nurturing potential clients. If you do not have a way to have your site visitors stay in touch with you regularly, then you are “leaving money on the table”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that statement and people still don’t have a signup form on their website!
It just makes sense to provide a small part of your expertise, forming it into either a report or a video series and give it away as a freebie. In turn, you’ve captured someone’s attention once they have signed up on your website…then you are open to provide them regular updates on what you have to offer. They may not work with you or buy your product right away, but they may need of your expertise later on when they are in a position to work with you. Always, ALWAYS be consistent with keeping in touch with your followers. Again, your conversion from subscriber to client may not be immediate, but it doesn’t mean someone is not watching you put all your effort forward and take notice.
You can set up a web form and email marketing follow-up system pretty inexpensive, using platforms such as MailChimp, Constant Contact or Aweber. If you want something a little more robust with cart ability and setting up campaigns, sequences and ROI tracking, I recommend using Infusionsoft, Ontraport or ConvertKit (hint: I use ConvertKit for my signup form on my own website! Love their platform!) Once you choose your email marketing platform, set up your subscriber list, create the web form and connect your freebie to it by providing a download or a video link within the thank-you email once a subscriber signs up. Wa-la! You have potential clients staying in touch with you…as long as you keep reaching out to them regularly. And what I mean when I say regularly…I mean send emails out weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Send whatever suits your needs and what you have time for. And if you don’t have the time to set up an email marketing system, don’t hesitate to contact a VA or reach out to me…I can help!
IN CONCLUSION
Take advantage of the above ways to gain clients, even if you’re only using one method, but I hope you’re incorporating all three to be successful! They have worked for me and I know they will work for you!
Feel free to leave a comment below on what works for you. I love to hear stories on how biz owners gain clients! Inspire me!
Please keep in mind that I may receive commissions when you click my links and make purchases. However, this does not impact my reviews and comparisons. I try my best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
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I’m attempting to build relationships and build people’s trust, I’m temporarily offering my program/ course for Free to do so. I just signed up for my free trial of Constant Contact, as MailChimp is a bit “techy” I think. I have a contest running, and my ” temporary freebies”. What else can I be doing, hhmmm? I just want to grow that list and therefore build my tribe/ followers and do what I LOVE doing and get paid for it!
Hey, Pamela! What you’re doing is a great start! I would definitely make sure you are putting Constant Contact to work for you if you’re not already. Might I also suggest you offer a free webinar training, or perhaps a series of trainings that will build your list even quicker. I ran several WordPress training webinars a few years back and built my list from 200 subscribers, up to over 1,000 subscribers because of holding webinars frequently. Be sure to provide lots of great content when you’re presenting…and If you can help it, try not to offer paid options after the call. I see this so much and it turns me off. However, you can promote your programs or trainings on your follow up message to those attending/signed up. Hope this helps some. 🙂