What works best for you when finding new clients?
This year I am trying to reach further out to try to find fresh clientele, especially now that I've made many changes to my business. I'm curious to hear how some of you have found your own clients - what works best for you? Ads, word of mouth, trade shows? Any advice shared will be very appreciated.
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Feb 7, 2015
this a problem for every marketing personnel. each medium for reach has its own advantage and disadvantage but I would strongly recommend you to get yourself out to the market.
1. try to search in google / yellow pages or other sources to find the potential clients of your's. then arrange a meeting with them just to introduce you and your company.
2. I would recommend to start an ad campaign.
3. definitely you should not miss a single opportunity to participate in the trade show.
the best way to find new clients would be meeting them in person or try to get in touch with them frequent. you will definitely get results.
Feb 7, 2015
Networking seems to work best for me. It does also depend on your type of business and clients I suspect.
Feb 7, 2015
Daniel is right, it does depend on your business, where your potential clients are, etc...And since cash is not endless, you have to be and today with online collaboration platforms, it allows you to be smart about what, when and how to engage.
You can network locally
You can network online - communities, social media sites, etc.
You can write/speak/train in your expertise
You can use LinkedIn and reach out to build relationships, initiate a meet/greet calls, etc.
You can advertise.
There are tradeshows, referrals', etc.
Many people overlook asking their own network of family, friends, peers, connections - "Who do you know that can use my services"...and get electronic or in person introductions.
The options are endless...If you want to share more, folks can get more specific.
Feb 7, 2015
I'm a photographer, so most of my clients come from word of mouth and my online presence. I've done trade shows, networking groups, friends and family connections, freelance work, volunteer work.
Basically I was trying to get some new ideas!
Feb 7, 2015
Spend some money on relevant marketing and advertising as well as having some referral based bonuses and discounts for your existing clients.
Feb 8, 2015
I do only B2B, and what has worked for me is targeted Linkedin prospecting and direct mail sales letters. Local networking groups did not work for me because buyers of B2B copy typically do not attend these.
Feb 8, 2015
Rebecca, great question! I like digging into a couple more questions before any suggestions. Do you have your ideal customer? How would you be able to identify someone quickly? If you had to ask a friend to refer someone to you, what type of customer would you ask them to refer you to? That helps you get selective instead of trying many different things. Over the years, I tried a little of this and a little of that but wasn't consistent until I took the time to really answer the question of my ideal customer.
As a result of doing that extra work, now I know (as well as my team) on who we are looking to approach and where they even are...found a few amazing clients last year at a trade show after I really took the time to list out the challenges, desires, interests of my ideal audience. For you, that could be anything from Facebook, to Blogs, to LinkedIn, to YouTube, etc. My suggestion is to ask some of your favorite clients now what frustrations you helped them with, where they are online, etc.
I know it's not a direct answer and one that causes more questions but when you do the homework...you will find the time WELL worth invested.
Let me know if I can help with anything else.
Feb 8, 2015
What has worked for us are Trade Shows (we make sure we invite prospects we are in touch with), network over Linked In, and Referrals, in that order.
Feb 8, 2015
So far, the best is going online. There are many potential clients on line. What you should have to do is to think about of how you would attract these people. May it be through writing articles or a video! How about publishing an online website? Maybe I could help you creating a responsive website at So far, the best is going online. There are many potential clients on line. What you should have to do is to think about of how you would attract these people. May it be through writing articles or a video! How about publishing an online website!
Feb 9, 2015
I own a small translations firm. We tried direct marketing, interacting on LInkedIn, asking existing clients for recommendations, and most other often-used tools for letting people know about our services. Some of these worked, some did not...However, we got most translation projects from organizations that found our website. These organizations have also turned out to be our best clients. The next best set of clients that we have had came as a result of recommendations provided by our existing clients.
Feb 9, 2015
My business is B2B so we receive a great deal of our leads via LinkedIn and trade shows.
I see you are a photographer. Do you photograph children/families, weddings, objects...? That will change how you target new customers.
That being said, I have photographs taken every year of my children. I have discovered photographers through:
- Local word of mouth: Facebook groups can be very powerful if you have ones that are very active
- Moms 'groups' - We had a photographer that ran a special with a local group of moms. For every new family signed up for photos, the photographer took a bigger percentage off the sitting fee. That was very attractive for a lot of families wanting to have pictures done (peer pressure to get other people on board to save money)
- Pinterest - A local photographer joined forces with a local children's boutique and they market on Pinterest and Facebook. They've become very well known in our area by pairing up with each other.
- Email marketing to drum up repeat business.
Good luck with your photography business.
Feb 9, 2015
What's your business? What have you traditionally done to get in front of your clients? I'd suggest word of mouth and networking but also set up some events where you can vend or speak at.
Feb 10, 2015
I have found that the best referral source are existing clients. Once you prove how well you do your job, a grateful client will tell others.
Feb 10, 2015
As the Marketing trend is going digital. So in my opinion you should go for the Social Media Marketing selecting the special demographic and Interest. So that you can carter more customer directly. Go for Social Media Marketing which will help you the most for it. Develop some interesting campaign in the Social Media, which will help you to attract more customers.