9 Unique Ways to Find New Clients for Your Business

The hunt for new clients never ends. You need to always be out there generating leads, even when you have plenty of work to keep you busy. It takes time to nurture relationships and you never know when you'll bump into a lucrative business opportunity. Here are 9 unique methods for finding new clients and practical tips to implement each strategy.

1. Ask for Referrals

The best business comes from referrals. A happy client tells others about you and the new person already knows the unique value you offer. We usually wait for referrals to occur naturally, but asking for them proactively is even better. Make it a regular part of your business operations.

How to implement:

• Create a formal referral program with incentives for clients who refer new business.

• Whenever you receive positive feedback from a client, ask if there's anyone they know who could use your help too.

• Follow up with a thank-you note or small gift when a client provides a referral, regardless of whether it leads to new business.

2. Join Social Media Groups

Social media is essential for finding new clients, but are you active in groups? There are groups dedicated to every single topic of interest on these platforms. These are places where people get together and discuss common interests. If you're active there, you'll raise your visibility.

How to implement:

• Identify 3-5 groups on LinkedIn or Facebook that align with your target audience.

• Contribute regularly by answering questions, sharing insights, and providing value.

• Avoid direct self-promotion; instead, focus on building relationships and establishing expertise.

• Consider creating your own group to position yourself as a thought leader in your niche.

3. Speak at Industry Events

Find offline industry events and trade shows to speak at. Share your expertise with people and you'll find new clients. Give a presentation on a topic related to the work you do, then encourage participants to follow you online. By teaching them, you've already started the relationship by giving them something of value they can use.

How to implement:

• Research upcoming events in your industry and reach out to organizers with speaking proposals.

• Develop a signature talk that showcases your expertise and provides actionable takeaways.

• Create a compelling speaker's kit that includes your bio, previous speaking engagements, and topic ideas.

• Always have business cards or a digital way for attendees to connect with you after your presentation.

4. Hold Webinars

Hold your own educational events online through webinars. The great thing about webinars is that you don't have to attend physically. They are low-cost and people from anywhere in the world can join. While you share your expertise with participants, you can start building a relationship with them.

How to implement:

• Choose a topic that addresses a common pain point for your target audience.

• Promote your webinar through your email list, social media, and partner networks.

• Use a reliable webinar platform that allows for interaction (e.g., polls, Q&A sessions).

• Follow up with attendees after the webinar with additional resources and a call-to-action.

5. Put out Press Releases

Whenever there's any news related to your business or your industry, put out a press release. There are directories where you can publish press releases online and media outlets will pick them up. You can also use press releases as content on your website or social media.

How to implement:

• Identify newsworthy events: product launches, significant hires, industry achievements, etc.

• Write clear, concise press releases following standard formats.

• Distribute through online PR services like PRWeb or PR Newswire.

• Build relationships with local journalists who cover your industry.

6. Write Guest Blog Posts

Guest blogging helps you reach a new audience with your expertise. Reach out to blogs in your niche with a pitch for a post and see if they'll publish it. They get a free piece of high-quality content and you get exposure to their audience. Approach guest blogging strategically, writing and publishing regularly to high-traffic blogs.

How to implement:

• Create a list of target blogs that your ideal clients likely read.

• Develop unique, valuable content ideas tailored to each blog's audience.

• Craft a compelling pitch email that highlights the value you can provide.

• Include a brief author bio with a link to your website or a specific landing page.

7. Create Free Information Products

Pay it forward by offering free information products. Info products are cheap and easy to produce. They can be published on your website and other places online for potential clients to download and enjoy in exchange for their email addresses. You can then market to them through email.

How to implement:

• Identify common questions or challenges your target audience faces.

• Create valuable resources like eBooks, checklists, or templates that address these issues.

• Use tools like Canva or Adobe InDesign to create professional-looking documents.

• Set up a lead magnet system on your website to capture email addresses.

8. Use LinkedIn to Find New Clients

LinkedIn offers several features that can help you connect with potential clients:

• Use LinkedIn's search function to find decision-makers in your target companies.

• Engage with content shared by your ideal clients to get on their radar.

• Publish thoughtful articles on LinkedIn to showcase your expertise.

• Utilize LinkedIn's Sales Navigator tool for more advanced prospecting.

How to implement:

• Optimize your LinkedIn profile with keywords relevant to your industry and services.

• Set aside 15-30 minutes daily for LinkedIn engagement (liking, commenting, sharing).

• Use Boolean search operators in LinkedIn's search bar to find precise matches for your ideal clients.

• Join relevant LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions regularly.

• Create a content calendar for LinkedIn posts and articles, aiming for at least 2-3 high-quality posts per week.

• If budget allows, invest in LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator for advanced search and InMail capabilities.

• Track your LinkedIn Social Selling Index (SSI) and work on improving it over time.

9. Collaborate with Complementary Businesses

Form strategic partnerships with businesses that offer complementary services to yours:

• Identify businesses that serve the same client base but don't compete directly with you.

• Propose joint ventures, such as co-hosted events or bundled services.

• Set up a mutual referral system to share leads.

• Create co-branded content to tap into each other's audiences.

How to implement:

• Create a list of potential partner businesses in your local area or industry.

• Reach out with a personalized message explaining the mutual benefits of collaboration.

• Start small, perhaps with a joint webinar or co-authored blog post, to test the partnership.

• Develop a formal agreement outlining your collaboration's terms, including how leads or revenues will be shared.

• Set up regular check-ins with your partners to discuss progress and identify new opportunities.

• Create a shared digital asset (like an eBook or industry report) that both parties can use for lead generation.

• Consider establishing a "power partners" group with multiple complementary businesses for networking and referrals.

Create a Strategic Marketing Mix

Always be on the lookout for new marketing channels and strategies. Add them to your mix one by one and monitor the results. Gradually, you'll have a whole arsenal of techniques to help find new clients.

Remember, the key to successful client acquisition is consistency and persistence. Implement these strategies over time, track your results, and refine your approach based on what works best for your business. With a mix of these unique methods, you'll be well on your way to expanding your client base and growing your business.

Looking for more business tips or learn how to expand your business and get in front of your target audience? Visit our Beginners Business Basics online school, which is full of courses to get you on the path toward success!