Introvert? Extrovert? Ambivert? Cold emailing? Networking? Online job applications?
There is SO MUCH advice out there on the “best” way to find clients, but the truth is…
It’s all USELESS… until you figure out what actually works for YOU. There is no ONE way that works for everyone, every time…
So in this video, I’m going to tell you how to discover the BEST ways to find clients – based on your very unique personality type.
So you can finally can ditch the forced, awkward, “you must do this or else” approach, and start getting clients the EASY way.
Hey, Posse! What’s up? It’s Alex.
Coming at ya this week to talk about something that new freelancers, copywriters and digital marketers are ALWAYS asking me about…
How to find new clients on a regular and reliable basis. So whether you’re looking for your very first client EVER…
Or you’ve already had a few clients here and there but are struggling to create consistency in your business…
This blog is for you.
But first – if you’re new to the crew – welcome!
On my blog, you’ll learn all about all things freelancing, messaging, marketing, personal branding and so much more. I’m here to help you build the online business of your DREAMS from home…
So if that sounds good to you, make sure to join my newsletter to stay connected.
Now it goes without saying that there are a TON of ways to find clients. And I’m never going to sit here and say that ONE method is better or worse than another method…
Because the truth is…DIFFERENT METHODS WORK FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
I personally have never liked cold pitching – you know sending emails or DMs to “cold” leads to try to get their attention and hopefully hire you. So I, personally, never built my freelancing business that way…
But does that mean it’s bad or ineffective?
No!!! I have plenty of students who SWEAR by cold emailing. They even have entire systems set up to make it more efficient and are 100% aware that it is a numbers game. So they don’t get too hung up on rejection, they treat it like a process and, eventually, they get a bite.
Personally, I’m more social and like to talk (shocker – right? lol)…
So my FAVORITE way of finding clients – back when I was a freelancer – was always NETWORKING.
In fact, that’s how I found 100% of my clients when I was first getting started!
Does that mean networking is the best form of client acquisition for EVERYONE? Definitely not!
So how can you identify the “client getting method” that fits YOUR personality?
Well, over my 14 years of experience – as both a freelancer AND someone who now hires freelancers, I’ve combined the best and most effective client acquisition strategies into FOUR MAIN METHODS…
Which one is right for you? I created a FREE QUIZ to help you identify the #1 way BEST way to find clients based on your personality type.
Along with some specific strategies that are more likely to work for you!!!
Fun right?! You can take the quiz by clicking on the link! But just a warning…
The results of this quiz might freak you out a little bit… Apparently, it’s freakily accurate.
Some people even accused me of spying on them LOL. I promise I’m not, I just know this industry like the back of my hands and understand what it takes to build a freelancer business because I have BEEN IN YOUR SHOES.
Now before you go take the quiz, let’s do a quick overview of ALL 4 methods.
I’m also going to share some REAL examples from my students. While all these examples are from copywriters in my community, these methods absolutely work for ANY KIND of freelancer or service-based business owner…
Method #1 – HUNT
The HUNT Method is all about getting strategic and searching for clients that are a fit for you…
You are quite literally putting yourself out there and strategically HUNTING for your dream clients…
This method works really great for people who identify as INTROVERTS.
People who love to research and be very systematic and targeted about the way in which they approach job hunting.
Ask yourself what brands do you admire? What products do you love?
Follow them on social media, get on their email lists and watch what they are doing.
You can try actively sending these businesses brief but personal outreach
emails/DMs, frequently searching their career pages and closely
monitoring their email/social so you’re ready when open jobs pop up.
My student, Chi, a copywriter from Season 2 of the Launch Pad got her first client by following them on social media and regularly checking out their posts. One day, they posted a copywriting opportunity, and she applied and got the job.
With the hunt method, your biggest goal is to get your foot in the door with a company you want to work with.
It may start as a smaller project or another role related to your area of expertise… for example, if you’re a copywriter, you could still apply for a job in social media, project management, or community management if that sounds interesting to you.
In fact, a writer on my team first started working with me as a community manager.
Even though she was technically a copywriter and didn’t necessarily “want” to be doing community management…
But she loved my brand and was excited to work with me NO MATTER WHAT THE ROLE WAS.
She happily came on board, started at just 5 hours a week, and was paid hourly…
She did a great job, proved herself, was willing and eager to learn…
And it didn’t take long at all before she got on retainer and started taking on additional roles.
Now she has been working with me for 5 years and is one of two writers on my team.
Then there’s Kee, another copywriter in my Spark Membership who first subscribed to the mailing list of a company she liked and would love to work for…
After a while on their list, she noticed an email in her inbox saying “now hiring” – and she immediately applied – even though it wasn’t a copywriting job.
Before she even hopped on a call with them, they sent her an email saying based on her resume, she’d be a perfect fit as their copywriter instead! Even though they weren’t even publicly hiring one!
Next up…
Method #2 – GATHER
The Gather Method is all about good old-fashioned networking and it should start with connecting with who you already know.
This method is perfect for people who call themselves EXTROVERTS.
Our people, people!!! They love meeting new friends, having real conversations and exploring unique opportunities.
This method is focused on building your network, and it starts with telling everyone you know, meet and cross paths with about what you do and WHY – friends, family, colleagues, current and previous bosses, anyone you pay for services and yes – even complete strangers…
The number of success stories of my students who used this method to find their clients is HUGE…
Like Kooldeep – who attended a Job Fair to help support their sister. Even though they weren’t actively looking for work, it didn’t stop them from having conversations and making connections that several months later led to a client!
I love what they said at the end of this post…
“An opportunity can come from anywhere. Don’t stop telling people you’re a copywriter.”
Or Anita – who was helping clients in a totally different job and just happened to mention she was interested in copywriting. And bada-bing-bada-boom – deal.
Or Alyna – who was chatting with someone in her Olympic Weightlifting class and just happened to mention she was a copywriter. They immediately expressed interest in hiring her.
Remember, people want to work with people that they know, like and trust.
Period.
Your skills are important YES, but that is not why they will hire you. They’ll hire you for YOU.
So show up. Be you. Let your personality shine through.
The next client getting method is…
Method #3 – PLAY
The Play Method is all about showing up actively online and building your
personal brand, audience and authority.
This method works really great for AMBIVERTS ambiverts who LOVE connecting with people but prefer to do it from the comfort of home.
This method is focused on using social media to connect with ideal clients, post relevant content, showcase your skills and have fun and engaging conversations!
This method might LOOK a little chaotic and disorganized to our very systematic hunters…
But for the right personality type, this method of creative, fluid, relationship-building is a DREAM.
The goal here is simple: plant seeds EVERYWHERE and often.
Chat with people on topics they care about, post relevant content, showcase your skills, start genuine conversations and share value in online business communities…
You’ll be surprised how far this can go for you.
Like Yinesakia – who simply reached out to someone she followed on Instagram – offering her copywriting services in exchange for a testimonial. It turned into a paid gig!
Or Samantha – who mentioned she was taking a course with the Copy Posse and had someone reach out asking if she could write their emails…
Or Alexandria – who posted her Copy Posse Launch Pad certificate on completion on Linkedin and had her CURRENT BOSS reach out and offer her her first copywriting job!
YESSSS!!! Exactly. It can be that simple.
I even have students who had someone reach out to them MONTHS after a conversation they started.
And the last client finding method…
Method #4 – SLAY
And The Slay Method is all about growing through results and referrals.
It starts with getting a few quality clients who will recommend
you to others.
Once you get your foot in the door, you focus on over-delivering results and gaining trusted referrals.
While it can take time to find these “super connector clients,” by staying in your lane, showing up and doing great work, you can build your referral network naturally overtime.
Like Isabelle – who had past clients raving about her and landed 2-3 more clients because of it.
Or one of my Sparkies, Alexandrina who got the best GREENEST flag client through a referral…
And another, Janet, who got her FIRST writing job from a referral after sharing her newest business trajectory…
And btw…
Referrals are the #1 fastest way to grow your business.
This is how I took my business from low 5-figures to multiple 6-figures as a freelancer back before I ever started the Copy Posse.
And it’s how so many of my students build sustainable businesses too.
I find that Methods #1-3 will EVENTUALLY get to a place where they reach Method #4. But again – this isn’t always your starting place – and that’s okay!
Take the time to discover and PRACTICE your ideal client acquisition strategy.
If you stick with it you’ll be building the business of your DREAMS before you know it.
Just like all the students I mentioned in this video.
Now go and take my FREE 30-Second Quiz to discover your unique client attraction formula…
You just need to answer a few questions to instantly find out YOUR best way to find clients with more ease and confidence.
You’ll also learn the #1 freelancer trap stopping you from landing high-quality clients…
And get practical tips and a personalized action plan you can implement immediately to find your next client.
You can check that quiz out at this link here!
After you take the quiz, come back to this blog, let me know what you got and if it feels CREEPILY ACCURATE for you.
