Get Clients: Tips That Work For You

“Everything I’ve done to get clients hasn’t worked,” writes a frantic self-employed professional. “I have a web site, I’ve created a brochure, and I’ve placed ads. But I haven’t found any work. What else can I do?” This defeated entrepreneur’s mistake is common. It is not enough for a business owner just to create marketing materials or place ads. In order to produce clients, he needs to get involved.

Many self-employed professionals or small business marketing coach hide behind company names, expensive marketing literature and a website. They spend tons on money on ads, directory listings and trade show booths without even disclosing their own name in their marketing. This mistake is likely caused by small business professionals trying to follow a big business model.

It has been found that people will usually invest in the services of an internet marketing coach (professional) to get clients from people they know and trust rather than from a strange unknown company. This is especially true if your service is more personal or expensive.

Here are the five things that work best for most professionals to get clients: (a) Meeting people in person — at events or by appointment; (b) Talking to people on the phone; (c) Sending personal letters and emails; (d) Following up personally over time; (e) Speaking to groups at meetings and conferences.

If you require a big number of clients, they rquire to know you, start liking you, believe in you and trust you completely. For that it is not necessary for them to meet you personally. It is very difficult to be friendly with unknown persons, or to call them and demand to know what they do. In reality the matter is quite different. Same is the case with brochures. These are just two marketing tools. If you want to get something out of pliers, you have to know to use them.

Clients want to get to know you, and understand who you are as a person. In order to do this, they need to see your face or hear your voice. They need to get to know you personally. Make sure you have enough confidence in your business to speak to people about it. If you don’t, you can’t expect them to have enough confidence in your company to hire you.

You’ll discover that with practice, it gets easier to meet clients in person, talk to them on the phone, and ask them for their business. It builds up your confidence, and it builds up the confidence your potential customer has in you, as well. If you make serving people your business, you can use your own voice as your best marketing tool. So, try it out, put it to the test, and strike up a conversation with potential clients.

Media advertising and web presence are not enough to get clients. The personal touch is essential. Trust is generated when potential customers have met you themselves. A small business marketing coach would encourage you to do personal, phone, or email networking with potential clients, and to become known by offering to speak at conferences. Don’t let the challenge of meeting strangers intimidate you. This is the keystone of building a business that clients trust. Your confidence in meeting people will equate to confidence in your business. You may have the savviest internet marketing coach, but without connecting in person you will not be successful.

- Travis Greenlee