.png)
How to find new clients outside your network? If you're struggling growing your business check out these practical tips.
Lately, we had many business owners and business development leaders come to us with one specific challenge:
Until now, things were growing organically. They would find most of their customers relatively easily through word of mouth.
But their pipelines dried out for no specific reason. So they want to find ways to find new clients outside their network and build a sustainable business development strategy.
This a common issue. After all, we all start from our networks and then grow our companies from there. But, without a solid strategy, it can be very difficult to stand out and have a sustainable flow of clients.
This is what we taught our clients in our business development training. We're sharing these insights so you can also learn how to find clients outside your network and grow your business.
Assess your current network
Assessing your current network is the first step towards expanding your client base. It will help you better understand the type of customers you need and what offers resonate the most with them.
The first thing to do is to make a list of your current customers. Once you have that, schedule interviews with at least 10 of them.
Ask them questions to understand their motivations in working with you, the challenges they were experiencing, and how you helped them solve them.
After that, use the insights to build a detailed buyer persona. You will use the buyer persona to identify similar profiles and get in touch with them with a relevant pitch.
✅ If you need help with customer research, check this article and use our free template at this link.
Build your personal brand
If you want to find new clients outside your network, you need to put yourself out there. Even if that means going out of your comfort zone and exposing yourself to potential "haters". It is crucial if you are committed to growing your business.
Building your brand consists of a few different steps. First of all, you need to identify the right channel where your audience spends most of their time.
For example, if you provide a B2B service or product, most likely your audience is on LinkedIn. On the other hand, if you sell beauty products, you might have better luck on Instagram.
After deciding on the right channels, you have to design a compelling content strategy. The content you share should help your customers solve their challenges.
Focus on sharing practical content that can your potential customers can implement directly and have initial results. You want your audience to think:
"Wow I got so much value for free, what could I get if I actually pay for their services?"
Building your personal brand does not only involve sharing content. You also have to connect with the right people and even more important you have to engage with other people's content.
Be generous with your likes and comments on people's posts that you genuinely find interesting. This will make your profile more visible and help you find new growth opportunities.
🚀 Check out our LinkedIn for Business Development Course and learn how to build your personal brand
Focus on SEO and written content
If you're looking for sustainable ways to find new clients outside your network is time to focus on SEO and Video content. Even though these two strategies require more time and a considerable amount of learning, they're also some of the best, most cost-effective ways to branch out of your network.
SEO content involves writing blog posts and making sure your website is found easily by people who are looking for solutions to their problems.
When starting with SEO it's important to have a crystal clear idea of the needs of your customers. Once you have that, you have to jot down ideas for articles. These articles should answer questions from potential customers.
Of course, you shouldn't just use your instinct. Instead, you have to learn how to run keyword research. Then how to build a content strategy and how to actually write content that ranks on search engines.
When we started The BD School in 2019 we made it a priority to focus on SEO. Many people told us not to, because it takes a lot of time. However, after 5 years, our presence on search engine is so strong that in enables us to help thousands of people every month.
And many of them end up taking our courses becayse they found already a lot of help with free content.
So all in all, it's an investment, but one wort making!
Start with video content
For video content, the principles are the same, but instead of writing you will have to record videos. The biggest advantage of both video content and SEO is that they stay there forever.
Traffic on this type of content grows exponentially (provided you do a good job) ensuring you a consistent flow of traffic to your website and channel.
I understand that this might seem complicated, but keep in mind that nowadays you have plenty of free resources you can learn from. Moreover, you can delegate, outsource or even use AI and other tools to simplify your life.
Personally, I recommend starting with the Hubspot blog to learn about blogging and SEO. Their blog helped me get started with the topic and is a game-changer for beginners.
While you can find expert help on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Identify and join relevant online communities
Another way to find new clients outside your network it to identify and join relevant online communities. Go on LinkedIn or any other social media platform and check if your audience is part of specific groups or networks.
Become a member of these communities and start providing value. Introduce yourself, share relevant resources, get in touch with individual members, and propose to have a coffee.
If there are opportunities to be a speaker at some of the community's events, propose yourself and use this chance to show your expertise with this new network.
Your goal doesn't have to be lead generation at all costs. Instead, focus on building relationships and allow time for opportunities to grow organically.
The biggest advantage of communities is that not only you can find new clients, but also potential collaborations with other businesses.
These collaborations can help you expand your reach and find new clients outside your network.
When looking for such communities, don't focus exclusively on online communities. Look for local networks, co-working spaces, cafes, etc. where your audience might be spending time.
One of our customers for example joined Tech Barcelona and quickly became a trusted tech partner for many of the companies in the co-working space.
🙌 Join our brand new Slack Business Development Community
Attend Networking Events and Conferences
A very fun and valuable way to find new clients outside your network is by attending networking events and conferences.
These events bring you right in touch with potential customers and partners and are great because they're entirely based on personal, real-life interactions.
Personally, I believe that nothing beats real-life meetings when it comes to building a strong network.
But, not all events are created equally, so the first step is always to select the right events. An event is great if you can get in touch with your audience, with other relevant stakeholders and with your competition.
These events are not only great for lead generation but also for understanding what's going on in your market and adapting your strategy accordingly.
Once you decide which events to attend, prepare a solid elevator pitch. This will help you make a lasting impression on people you meet at conferences and plant the seeds for future collaborations.
Don't obsess about selling at all costs. Instead, use the events to build friendships with people you meet and always focus on the long-term potential of the connections you're making.
👋 If you're new to networking, you should definitely check out our Networking Skills Course.
Collaborate with other businesses
One effective way to find new clients outside your network is by collaborating with other businesses. Partnerships are a smart strategy if you want to grow fast because they give you instant access to a new audience.
But, for partnerships to work you have to be very selective and only choose companies that can help you grow.
The best partners are companies offering a complimentary solution to yours and that share the same audience. only in this way, you can build a win-win successful partnership.
Reach out to such companies proposing a collaboration and then make sure you're both executing what you agree on. Partnerships can take many shapes and forms.
For example, you could build a joint offer, create shared content for social media, design a resell agreement, and a lot more.
🎯 If you'd like to explore the power of strategic partnerships but don't know where to start, check out our Strategic Partnership Course.
Utilize referral programs
Of course, one of the most effective ways to find clients outside your network is simply by asking your network for referrals.
Make it a habit to ask all your best customers to introduce you to 5 other businesses they think would benefit from working with you.
But don't limit yourself to your customers. Ask everyone in your network to share your contact info with people that might need your services. Your network will be happy to help!
And if they're not, you can always build a proper referral program where you give incentives to people to refer you. For example, if you provide a software solution, consider offering a percentage fee for every successful referral.
You can also simply ask people to share links on their social media profiles and give them a fixed fee based on the leads they generate for you.
Referral programs are often overlooked but can be a powerful tactic to expand your network and find new clients.
Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone
Stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new client acquisition strategies is essential for business development. You have to constantly optimize your lead generation machine and make sure you are relevant to your audience.
You must adapt to the changes in your market and improve the way you get new clients. Because yes, your friends and family are your first supporters, but you can't build a successful business only with that.
If you need support in growing your business, get in touch with our team and let's explore options to train yourself or your team.
Key Takeaways:
- Run detailed customer research to uncover the needs of your customers and build new offers that are helpful to your audience
- Build your brand and leverage social media platforms to showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients outside of your small network
- Focus on SEO and video content to expand your reach exponentially
- Identify and join relevant online communities to establish yourself as a thought leader and build meaningful connections
- Attend relevant networking events and conferences to get in touch with your audience and create growth opportunities
- Build strategic partnerships with complimentary businesses to have instant access to a brand-new audience
- Utilize referral programs to incentivize and spread the word about your business to potential clients who may not be in your network
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I find new clients outside my current network?
There are several strategies you can try to find new clients outside of your network. First, make sure you really understand your audience. Then identify the channels where the spend more time and start experimenting with different tactics.
For example, using social media to showcase your expertise. Start writing a blog and create video content. Join communities, attend events, build strategic partnerships, and ask for referrals.
But most important, stay always on top of new trends so you can find new tactics that work with your audience.
2. Is it important to expand my client base beyond my network?
Yes, it is crucial to expand your client base beyond your network. Relying solely on your existing network limits your potential for growth and can lead to stagnant business. By reaching out to new clients, you can increase your revenue and diversify your client portfolio.
3. How do I approach potential clients outside my network?
The best way to approach potential clients outside your network is to do your research and tailor your pitch to their specific needs. Show genuine interest in their business and explain how your products or services can benefit them. Also, be respectful of their time and avoid being too pushy.
4. What are some effective marketing strategies to attract new clients?
Some effective marketing strategies to attract new clients include creating an engaging social media presence, offering valuable content through a blog or newsletter, and leveraging SEO to improve your online visibility. You can also consider running targeted ads or partnering with influencers to reach a wider audience.
5. How can I build trust with clients I don't know?
Building trust with clients you don't know can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Start by showcasing your expertise and providing excellent customer service. Ask for referrals from satisfied clients and highlight positive reviews on your website. Also, be transparent and honest in your communication with potential clients.
6. Should I focus on finding new clients or nurturing existing ones?
Both finding new clients and nurturing existing ones are essential for a successful business. While finding new clients can bring in revenue and expand your network, nurturing existing clients can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals. It is vital to strike a balance and allocate time and resources to both aspects of client management.
