If you've started a new business, you'll be wondering how to get your first clients. Or perhaps you already have a business but you're scratching your bum, wondering where your next clients will be coming from .. ?
Well, for a start you should:
1) Have a brand that stands out and speaks to your target audience
2) Market the hell out of your shiny new business and beautiful website
3) Tap into your warm / hot audience for quick sales
Generic advice aside, it's always comforting to hear from a real person and EXACTLY how they got their first clients. I've been going for a couple of years now, and this is how I got my - not just first 5 clients - but ALL of my clients to date (excluding my social media clients and current unfinished web / brand design projects):
Wild Kingfishers Preschool - this was my son's preschool (Brand and Web Design)
Mindful Bakes - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Web Designer (Web Design)
Salisbury Clutch Centre - Wild Kingfishers Preschool recommended me (Brand and Web Design)
Vortex Coaching - this business is run by my son's gymnastics teacher (Web Redesign)
Red Stilettos - saw my Blog post about Brand Identity in a Facebook business group (Brand and Web Design)
Automate Queen - met through networking with Red Stilettos (Web Design)
Midwife For Life - found me via Facebook when I was running a promotion (Brand and Web Design)
Safer Horizons - current client recommended me (Brand and Web Design)
Happy Hearts - we are patients at the same dentist and the dentist referred me (Web Design)
Beautifully Serene - someone recommended me on a Facebook business group (Brand and Web Design)
Charlie Faulkner - Red Stilettos recommended me (Web Design)
15 Mile Foodie - found me via LinkedIn (Web Redesign)
Unicorn Clean - found me via Facebook (Web Design)
Active City - previous client, Vortex Coaching, starting a second business (Web Redesign)
Begin Again Warriors - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Brand Designer (Brand)
Dress Into Art - found me via Google search (Brand and Web Design)
Lavender Blue - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for brand designer (Brand and Web Design)
Manx Enduro - found me via LinkedIn (Web Appraisal)
Butterfly Holistic - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Web Designer (Brand and Web Design)
Rachel Wannerton - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Web Designer (Web Redesign)
Handmade by Heather - found me via Instagram when I was running a promotion (Brand and Web Design)
Dinton Preschool - Midwife For Life recommended me (Brand and Web Design)
Marshmallow - previous client, Midwife For Life, starting a second business (Web Design)
Little Bean Baby - current client for my Social Media service (Web Redesign)
Luminous Dog Training - found me via LinkedIn (Brand and Web Redesign)
Millie, Molly Mandy's - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Brand Designer (Brand)
Sarah Deno Consulting - mutual business acquaintance referred me (Brand and Web Redesign)
Harrington's Hair & Beauty - found me via Facebook (Web Redesign)
Alison Van Haeften Nutrition - found me via LinkedIn (Web Appraisal)
Salish Sea Stones - found me via Facebook when I was running a promotion (Brand and Web Design)
Positive Approach Dog Training - Luminous Dog Training recommended me (Brand and Web Design)
Rich Cope Voiceover - someone recommended me on a Facebook business group (Brand and Web Design)
Anthony Woodward - fellow web designer referred me (Web Design)
Chester's Kitchen - someone recommended me on a Facebook business group (Brand and Web Design)
Silver Star Designs - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Web Designer (Web Design)
Sarah Jane Coaching - mutual business acquaintance referred me (Brand and Web Design)
Katharine Thomson GD - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Web Designer (Brand and Web Design)
One Life Trust CIC - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Web Designer (Brand and Web Design)
CMG Send Consultancy - came via my collab with KH Web Design (Brand)
Wild Hill Garden Design - Katharine Thomson recommended me (Brand and Web Design)
Be Sweet - Chester's Kitchen recommended me (Brand and Web Design)
Inglis Construction Engineering - came via my collab with KH Web Design (Brand)
Miracles As Standard - Lavender Blue recommended me (Brand and Web Design)
Croft House - current client One Life Trust (Brand and Web Redesign)
Cultivating Wonder - current client One Life Trust (Brand and Web Redesign)
Root and Renew - found me via Google search (Brand and Web Design)
Follett Parker - found me via Google search (Brand and Web Design)
Silbury Therapies - I responded to their Facebook enquiry for a Web Designer (Brand and Web Design)
Conclusion
This shows me what works and where my clients come from (basically the 101 of marketing!).
So can you see the trend in how I get my clients?
1) My target market is focused on small business owners in my home town of Salisbury, Wiltshire - instead of trying to conquer the whole world at once - therefore networking has been my best friend: I love to tell people about my business and what I do (even when I'm in the dentists chair!), so the word spreads.
2) I cover the main social media platforms of Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for my marketing, using branded posts and language to find leads and grow my audience. But I also search for anyone looking for web design and branding.
3) I cherish my current and previous clients because this is where the true success of my business lies: these are the people who recommend me and give me repeat business.
Don't think for one second that I had planned this strategy from the beginning - it's happened organically. And don't think it's been an easy ride - there have been enquiries that went no where during this time and my business has ebbed and flowed dramatically.
But I have had a steady flow of clients, who have all been a treat to work with and I'm forever grateful of their support.
I hope this gives you inspiration how to find your next client, my darling ..
WHAT NOW?
If you like what you've just read, this is your personal invitation to join my newsletter mailing list for more tips and advice about web designs, brand design, marketing and my honest experience on what it's like to be a small business owner ..
BIG KISSES
Claire x
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