5 Life Hacks That Can Get You New Clients
Most creative people are not natural salespeople. Here are some tips that can expand your client base quite a bit.
In the creative world, one of the hardest things to do is find new clients. Most creative people are not natural salespeople. We just want to make things that make people feel something. When you pair that focus with the extreme competition the creative industry features, it can be rough for newbies to find new clients.
Thankfully, there are life hacks to help you. Take it from me — these life hacks can expand your client base quite a bit.
1. Keep a stack of business cards on you.
This old-school approach is always a smart one. Business cards are tried and true because they work. You never know who you will meet or where you will meet them. Handing people a business card or even dropping them off at a local bulletin board can get you decent clients with minimal effort.
A good rule of thumb is to carry at least six business cards whenever you head out — even to the grocery store. Your next client is always one good conversation away.
2. Get paid advertisements on social media.
Most people who are graphic designers, writers, or musicians already recognize that they need a good social media campaign. Gaining enough followers is a surefire way to monetize your feed, score high-profile clients, and become a famous professional in your field.
Have you ever wondered how those big names have become so popular? It’s simple: they use paid advertisements to gain followers and link to their shops. It’s so obvious, even pretentious, but the strategy actually does work. Otherwise, people wouldn’t buy ads on Instagram. Don’t worry: you’re not selling out for paid advertisements, you’re climbing up the industry ladder.
3. Reach out to people you admire for collaborations.
Another way to expand your reach and increase your network is through the fine art of mutually-beneficial collaborations. Freelancers are always looking for a way to separate themselves from the masses — and you can be that vehicle.
Most freelancers and independent artists are looking for people to collaborate with. A deeply profitable project or a project that gets the attention of high-paying clients is a project worth collaborating on. To get the most out of this::
Seek out professionals that are slightly more elevated than you or even very established. The worst they can say is no. The best they can say is yes, and if they do, you will lift yourself up to a new level of work that you can be proud of.
Discuss the terms of the collaboration clearly. Explain with your collaborator what you expect to get out of the project, including payment and what type of exposure you want.
Stick to what you say you will do. You will not believe how many people have ruined their potential connections by not following through on their word. It’s a bad look that will cost you.
4. Interact with creators.
There’s a reason why a lot of Soundcloud rappers tend to make reels with their fans and fellow online creators. This interaction is another way to pool fandoms, which, in turn, grows your fandom. For example, the Island Boys hung out with Wyzey and that Jack Doherty kid.
All three got more exposure just by having those connections. Even if you’re simply adding them as followers (or following them) on your social media, those followers help algorithms suss out where you go and who will like your content most.
Another major reason why you should interact with other creators is because it helps them be aware of your existence — even if you don’t collaborate. If other creators talk about you, you gain clout in your field. It’s a form of networking via “street cred.”
5. Don’t be afraid to ask others to hype you up.
One of the key things you need to be aware of is the power of asking. People won’t do stuff unless you ask. Swallow your pride, and ask others in your circles to hype you up. Even a like or a share can get you seen by the right people.
This life hack can also help you figure out who’s really in your court. If you notice certain people who are truly not okay with helping you out or giving you some hype, take note. Those people are not the ones who will help you succeed.
Do with that information what you need to. It’s always good to know who’s got your back, don’t you think?
 | A guest post by
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