x5 simple(ish) ways to boost your client base
Paid work a little quiet? Let's explore x5 ways to boost your freelance business
If have never had quiet times as a freelancer then you’re an exception, not the rule. I just want to get that out there straight away. It’s not how it often get’s hyped on social, but it’s the reality of freelancing.
I know how s**t it can feel to be sat at home and being ghosted, ignored, told projects aren’t going ahead, chasing payments etc. etc. It’s a flipping rollercoaster!
It’s not just you. I promise you that.
However, it’s at times like these when getting creative with different ways can make a huge difference. Maybe you’re doing a lot of these already and my apologies if so! But I wanted to pop this quick blog together to give you x5 simple (ish) ways you can boost your client base.
I have added “ish” because I know in reality they are easier said than done sometimes, not to mention the time that can be involved.
#1 Talk to non-work contacts
I was at football training for my son some time ago and chatting with a fellow mum and friend called Kristie about work. I mentioned I was hoping to get some speaker opportunities soon. Turned out she knew the owner of a local networking group. She kindly put me in touch. I did a talk… and that led to some work.
I would encourage you to think about everyone you know. This could include your wider family, friends, previous work colleagues, people you exercise with, connections from hobbies, local communities, your neighbours, parents at the school gates, etc. Being referred or connected to is a very powerful way of bringing work in, and it may be a network you haven’t yet approached.
Incidentally Kristie is an accountant and when one of my clients asked me for a recommendation, you can guess who I recommended…
#2 Connect with other freelancers
A client of mine called Belinda did my Few Clients to New Clients programme last year and connecting with other freelancers slightly outside of her own offering was something we looked at as part of her strategy.
This works extremely well for freelancers, because we can’t usually offer such a diverse range of services as e.g a full-service agency but when a client does want other work we can recommend or buddy up.
She wrote this post today which I think beautifully sums up the power of having a network.
Here’s an example: say you’re a freelance content strategist but don’t offer freelance writing services: you could connect with several other writers who don’t offer strategy work and then refer each other according when a client needs these services.
Being recommended takes the heavy-lifting out of it all and the more you do this, the bigger the impact. But remember to give as much as you take! That’s really important.
#3 Start a little something
When things went quiet for me in Covid I started a small community which made me feel great and actually won a lot of work (which I hadn’t predicted at all!).
If things are quiet for you it can be worth thinking about other areas you could diversify into, or small projects outside of your current workload.
Here are a few examples:
A small paid or free community
Running a small networking group or free talks
Volunteer work relating to your business
Offering free talks or workshops
Creating a digital product or membership
These don’t have to be income-generators as such, but will all help increase your exposure and often indirectly lead to more work
#4 The pitch sprint
I encourage my clients to go through pitch sprints when things get a little quiet. This involves digging up all contacts, LinkedIn connections, previous projects, people you met at networking months ago etc.etc and going through all of them. Drop them a hello and ask if there’s anything you can do right now.
I worked with one client recently who went through his entire inbox, found 32 names of people he hadn’t contacted in over 2 years and got 2 new projects off the back of it.
An actual sprint (as in a run) is exhausting and a pitch sprint will feel exhausting both mentally and from a time perspective. But if you’ve got a rainy afternoon coming up soon then it can make a difference.
#5 Make a ton of new pals
Your network is your net worth. I think that is the phrase. If times are quiet I’d recommend joining some networking groups, communities, memberships etc. to build up and put some tlc into your network.
This is a really valuable use of time and can also make you feel less s**t than sitting in front of Linkedin and doom scrolling. I appreciate this can feel daunting and if you’re an introvert it’s a massive energy drainer, so please consider what you would feel comfortable with as well.
I know it’s tough out there for so many right now and my thoughts are with you.
A couple of ways I can help you: consider becoming a paid subscriber to access the latest jobs and opportunities that are published. It’s just £6 per month and I am very diligent in looking for the latest work!
Finally, take a quick look at my Few Clients to New Clients programme. It’s very reasonably-priced and aimed at freelancers and small business owners who want a buzzing client base. I’ve been running this programme for 3 years now and just love it. I run it alongside my business so don’t have huge availability, but please do check it out if you’d like some support.