Whether you’re looking for your first or fiftieth client, here are the simple yet effective pieces you’ll want to build and improve on over time.
1. Pick a target market
It doesn’t need to be hyper-niche. But it can’t be “everyone” either. I recommend starting a little general and tightening as you go. Just like surviving in the woods, don’t get picky about what you eat too early or you will starve. Survive. But have a general focus that you are already credible in.
2. You need a website
It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it should be clean. I’ve put many six figures through Everspaces and it couldn’t be simpler. In fact, the simpler you keep it, the easier it will be to convey your message. Focus on clear messaging, offering as much value as you can with free content and resources, and demonstrating your credibility throughout. Your services are there when people are ready to browse.
3. Blog like hell
Your blog is basically an archive of your published work. Text posts, audio, visuals, curations… put everything on it. You want people to be able to visit your site and get consumed by your ideas. To go down rabbit holes and see what you’re made of. If you want people to buy your thinking, share it as often as you can. When I started Everspaces, I wrote daily for several months to get traction. When I started mentoring marketers, I wrote about 600 days in a row. Aim to be prolific.
4. Get active on social media
Social media is a place to interact with your peers and more importantly, potential buyers. You can distribute your ideas there but leave them on the platform if you can (ie don’t just post links—share full thoughts). Mention your newsletter for those interested in going deeper and getting other benefits.
5. All roads lead to email
Speaking of which, have an email list. Make it casual and conversational. Give people a way to get to know you and keep in touch—without the meddling fingers of our algorithmic overloads. All roads drive people to your email list. Your email list is where the money is made.
6. Build relationships
Every niche operates in an ecosystem. Get to know people in your target market, reach out to people, ask how they’re doing, exchange ideas. But also get to know people who serve that niche. See who you click with, you never know what may come of it later on. You don’t need to hard-sell people. Simply talking to people will usually be enough to generate something over time.
7. Show up IRL
The more events I attend in my consulting niche, the more clients I get and the deeper my relationships become. Word of mouth is amplified by showing up in person. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and attend events. Or speak at them, if you can. Either way, showing up matters a lot.
These are just a few high-level ideas but frankly, none of them are complicated. They mostly require tenacity.
If you need results quickly, reach out to your ideal target market and offer to help if/when they need it. But spend the rest of your time establishing your authority and building for the long term.
Eventually, people will come to you. It’s simple, but it takes time. And it works.
—kevin
P.S. If you’re not registered for tomorrow’s FREE workshop with Billy Broas and you want to improve your copywriting + messaging skills, be sure to sign up today. Full details here.