Advice From 6 Successful Women Entrepreneurs on Getting More Clients
Are you tired of feeling like you're constantly hustling to get clients? I hear you, and I've been there. Building a business is no easy feat, and getting clients is one of the biggest challenges we face. But don't worry, you're not alone in this struggle!
I've reached out to some amazing women who have successfully grown their businesses, and I've gathered their best tips and tricks to help you get more clients. These ladies have been in the trenches, and they know what it takes to build a thriving business from the ground up.
So, grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let's dive in. Together, we'll learn how to attract and retain clients so that we can continue to do what we love - and get paid for it!
“Without getting all Kim K, the only way to get clients is to work your fucking arse off!!” says Abbie Scott-Pettitt, Wedding Styling Franchise Founder.
“Far too many people think setting up a business is as easy as creating an Instagram page and clients are going to fall on their laps. They hope for a viral reel and think that’ll solve their problems. The key to getting clients is a combination of things:
Have a product or service that is different from others. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel but something that turns heads
Identify your ideal client and know them inside and out, every little quirk and detail so you know what language to use to entice them, and where they will be hanging out
Understand their pain points but don’t give them a solution, give them SYMPTOMS they are currently experiencing - because not everyone knows their problems or pain points
GET FUCKING VISIBLE - know where your ideal client is, and ram your offers products and services down their throat. Get so visable you think people are going to get sick of seeing you but they won’t they’ll consider you killing it + remember you. It takes on an average for someone to see you, your brand and offer 20+ times before buying from you.
If it’s wholeheartedly what you’ve always wanted then NEVER EVER GIVE UP… Don’t ever quit your day dream. But accept bumps, different paths + change of mindset to get where you need to be.
Think outside the box - ALWAYS! In your marketing, language, socials, sales, products.
Be authentic, true to yourself + honest with your audience
Most important - NEVER EVER lead with money in mind. I’ve always lead with my heart. Made decisions that felt good, and the money soon followed.
There is no handbook on how to be a business woman - it’s shit you have to figure out yourself. Had I figured this out day one, I would have made money quicker. However if I hadn’t made the expensive mistakes it wouldn’t have made me the business woman I am today, turning my one business from the kitchen table into 5 success businesses.”
Connect with Abi (otherwise known as The Wedding Wing Woman) on Instagram @abbie_scottpettit, or visit styledbylulabelles.co.uk.
“It is in some way crazy to admit that I don’t have a strategy setup to get clients,” says Dora, founder of Adora Design.
“Everything so far moves for me very organically and naturally. I am relying fully on my current customers and connections to promote me. This has been working well for me due to my work ethic. I put all of my energy and heart into every single thing I am doing for my clients. My clients know they are going to get something good — the service that they need and even more. I often find the clients who come to me through referrals want to work together for the long-term which means I don’t need to constantly be looking for new clients. While this strategy has worked well for me in my journey so far, I am now levelling up my Instagram and Pinterest presence to gain more visibility, organically. I will also be updating my website to streamline my digital marketing strategy.”
Connect with Dora on Instagram @adorawebdesign or visit designadora.com.
“Once I switched my focus from how can I get more clients to how can I be of service to more people that’s when I really felt a shift in my business,” says Emma, Freelance Video Editor.
“You then approach every discovery call with a new confidence, where you are excited to tell a potential client how your potential partnership could benefit them/their business as opposed to focusing on your current lack and purely the money side of things. If you focus on providing a high quality service to one client, no matter how big or small, there’s such a high chance they will either return for more work or spread your name around. Especially for me inside of the creative industry, word of mouth has been so beneficial! Also remembering that even if you have a small reach on social media, you have no idea who is actually following you and who might see your story or post at the perfect time! 90% of my clients come from Instagram so I try my hardest to post authentic content which shows the editing I am capable of.”
Connect with Emma on Instagram @videoeditor.em or visit videoeditorem.com.
“As the owner of Socialuxe UK, I have found that there are several strategies that have been successful in attracting and maintaining a steady client base,” says Fay.
“One of the keys is making sure every customer feels welcome and appreciated. We go out of our way to make sure everyone has a great experience when they book with us for their social media posts. We understand that some people might be a bit nervous or unsure of what they want, so we offer reassuring words and suggestions to put them at ease. Another thing that's worked really well is showing off a ton of examples of our work. Not only does it give clients ideas for their own posts, but it also shows them that we're established in our field and have created posts for thousands of individuals. We want to make sure that our services are accessible to everyone, so we offer a range of options at different price points. That way, there's always something for everyone, regardless of their budget. Plus, we always make sure to provide a quick turnaround time - no one wants to be waiting around for their designs! We love rewarding loyal clients with discounts - it's a great way to show our appreciation and often leads to recommendations and referrals. We sell on multiple platforms to reach a wide range of audiences, and we tailor our strategies depending on the platform and the audience. Finally, we're always looking for ways to improve our services, which is why we regularly ask clients what products they'd like or need from us. We love holding polls and questionnaires across our social media platforms to get feedback and make sure we're investing our time and money in the right areas.”
Connect with Fay on Instagram @socialuxeuk or visit socialuxeuk.com.
“To me, there is much more to getting clients than simply getting clients… it’s about getting the right client the right way,“ says Emiley, founder of The Female Accountant.
“When starting out on my entrepreneurial journey, I must confess I wanted to be the one who could master every client. However, I soon realized the importance of the saying "quality over quantity." You don't need everyone to become your client; you just need those of quality - the ones who have longevity and genuine interest in you and your services. Look for clients who align with your ethos, even if it means turning down some business. It's crucial to make such decisions for the right reasons.
Being genuine and authentic as a business owner is also key. This is especially true for service businesses because people prefer to buy from people. They don't want to hear you reciting a sales script or mentioning services merely hoping for a sale. They want to hear from and work with individuals they have a connection with, someone they can build a relationship with. Pushy salespeople are a thing of the past, or should be. Therefore, put yourself out there, whether in person or digitally, and let people see the real you—the face behind the business. Allow them to relate, connect, and understand the deeper meaning of what you do. This approach will generate inquiries about your services from clients who resonate with your brand.
In summary, the best advice I can offer for building your client network is to approach it with focus and set boundaries regarding who you want to interact with and how. Remember that quality is more important than quantity. Build your brand and showcase your authenticity; that is far more valuable than trying to be everyone's "friend."“
Connect with Emiley on Instagram @thefemale.accountant or visit linktr.ee/thefemaleaccountant.
“With a degree in marketing and a strong brand portfolio, my passion was never questioned. However, becoming a mum and taking myself out of the 9-5 corporate life was,” says Dani, founder of Social Story.
“This is when my freelance journey began, and it’s something I never regret. Developing my business took time and a lot of hard work, but there is one clear motive for my growth - Sharing my true character, alongside my love for marketing, has been, and still is, the fuel for my business and the opportunities it presents. I often think of my clients and partners as friends. You can be an expert in your field, but if you don’t create genuine connection with the people you work with, they’ll very quickly move elsewhere.
My business growth has mainly been through word of mouth and referral, and I believe this will always present the biggest and best opportunities. And once that door opens, it’s up to you to validate that - add value, offer guidance, build trust, and create success for your client and their brand.”
Connect with Dani on Instagram @socialstory.dani or visit social-story.co.uk.
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