Sometimes getting new business can be a lot of work. Attending area networking events or flying to conferences can be time-consuming and even costly. Don’t get discouraged though, you can actually generate business without going anywhere using the ideas below.
1. Work with someone whose services compliments yours.
As a freelancer or small business owner, you might be faced with bringing in new clients on top of working with the clients you currently have. Searching for new business might be that item on your to-do list that’s important, but not urgent, so you leave it there, slightly neglected, like being put on hold for too long while listening to elevator music. This can be hard to juggle. Consider trying to work with someone who already has your ideal client.
They can gently mention your service on a regular basis, refer someone to you when their client has a problem that you can solve, or carry out any other way to collaborate to have more business come your way. In turn, you would send them clients or work something out so that it’s mutually beneficial. Reach out via email or by phone to contact the business owner.
Obviously you’re not going to approach a competitor and expect them to hand over their precious contacts, so make a list of businesses that compliment your services and reach out to them. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, maybe you hook in with website owners or SEO experts. If you’re an editor, maybe writers can send you clients. Brainstorm who would be a good match and be sure to include what’s in it for them.
2.Give your own clients an incentive to send people your way.
The best compliment you can receive from a client is having them personally send you another client. Experiment with an ongoing referral program with an incentive for the client who sends you business or have a special promotion with a limited time offer once in awhile. It can create a sense of urgency to have people help you find more clients in a certain time frame. This also gives your current client motivation to look for clients for you and everyone benefits.
3. Start to appreciate the power of a podcast.
If you’re able to be a guest on a podcast, you can share your expertise with a new audience just by answering questions, telling stories and sharing tips. You don’t have to dress up or even show up anywhere. Outside of maybe sending the host a nice picture of yourself with your bio for the website, your appearance doesn’t matter at all while recording. This is convenient and helps you focus your efforts on delivering great content without having to take time out of your schedule to worry about looking presentable.
Once published, the podcast usually sits on a website. Unlike radio or TV, a podcast has a longer shelf life so you can continue to expose yourself to new listeners well after the show has published. Also, if the podcast is on iTunes, in addition to the podcaster’s website, that exposes you to yet another new audience. It’s a completely separate source of traffic and listeners that does not depend on the search engine gods. So you can get more mileage out of your efforts.
Offering your expertise on a podcast is another way of consuming content, one that allows busy, time-crunched listeners to even do other things while listening. People can listen hands-free and eyeballs-free while walking, working out, driving to work, or even doing chores like dusting or cleaning the garage. Better still, the podcaster can ask listeners to join their e-mail list, and tell them to subscribe to the podcast.
The Bottom Line
It’s challenging to sell your products or services if you don’t have access to your ideal client on a regular basis.
While networking events can work to your advantage, sometimes approaching businesses that already have your market, can cut some of the footwork and cost out of finding them. There are a number of ways to generate business without having to fly anywhere, pay for a hotel or even attend a networking event.
Experiment with these tips above. They may take time to set up but can be worthwhile to help you generate more business.
