To keep giving you relevant and timely content, we update our most popular posts. This article was last updated on January 12, 2021.
You’ve heard me say it over and over again: Being of service online is one of the best ways to get clients.
If you’ve tried and it didn’t work for you, then you might not believe me.
“I’ve tried,” you say, “I really have! But getting clients from social media just doesn’t work for me.”
On a good day, you make one solid connection and get a few more Likes.
On a bad day, you get sucked into a time warp of viewing Chewbacca mom videos and wincing at angry comments about politics. (… Or am I alone in this?)
On the worst day, you get kicked out of the Facebook group where you’re trying to be of service.
Either way, the clients aren’t coming in.
Here’s the hard truth: If social media isn’t working for you, it’s because you’re doing it wrong.
In this post, I’m going to tell you exactly why it’s not working and how to fix it. Because when you do fix this, it changes EVERYTHING.
People turn into megafans. You get clients. And your roster fills up—fast.
So dive into today’s crash course on how to use social media the right way, and let’s change the trajectory of your business forever.
“Helping” vs. “Pitching”
The reason you’re not getting clients on social media is because you’re pitching and not helping.
“No, no, no, I’m not pitching,” you protest, “I really am helping!”
You may think you’re helping, but it’s possible you’re not doing it quite right.
Imagine you’re on Facebook and you notice a woman who’s always posting things like, “Latest offer! Five spots left! Just $99! Hire me!” or some version of that.
She uses lots of exclamation points and maybe a splashy picture. Her posts have a graspy, needy energy to them.
We’ve all seen her. We’ve seen many who are just like her.
And every time you see folks like that, you think, “Ugh!” You want to run the other way.
That’s because she’s pitching. She’s not helping. She’s in it to get, not to give.
Now, that’s going to kill business. So if you’re doing that, you’ve got to stop.
If engaging with others on social media hasn’t been getting you clients, then you’re probably pitching and not helping.
Now, that’s one scenario: a person who’s pitching all the time.
Let’s paint another scenario.
You’re on social media and you post a question. You get some helpful, thoughtful, and kind responses with details and links to other blogs—not just links to the commenter’s blog—but links to other blogs with resources and ideas and inspiration.
And then in that same thread, someone responds with, “Oh, I can help you solve that problem. Here’s my latest offer.”
Which people do you notice?
Not the one who responded by selling you their offer, but the ones who responded with helpful, useful, kind, thoughtful information, who were in it to give to you, not to get. They’re the ones you notice, right?
Imagine you’re in this group week after week, month after month, and you notice who shows up to give.You start to notice the people who are thoughtful and kind and generous and giving and looking to help you, not just sell you.
You pay extra attention to them. You may even connect with them outside of the group.
Have you seen these people?
That’s the kind of person you want to be!
Now you may still be thinking, “But Jenny, how will that help me actually get clients?”
Click to Download7 Steps to Make It Work OnlineWhy Helping Others Helps You (And Your Biz) In the Long Run
Helping others works because no one—and I mean no one—likes to be pitched.
But everyone likes to be helped.
So, if you’re out there promoting your services before helping, you’re turning potential clients away.
But if time after time, you’re in there helping people, you’re going to get noticed.
And then that moment comes when somebody says, “Hey, I’m looking for a copywriter who specializes in sales pages,” and you happen to be a copywriter who specializes in sales pages.
You’ve been in that group for weeks or months giving amazingly helpful advice and you say, “Oh my goodness! That’s exactly what I do. Here’s a link to my services page. But really, the most important thing is that you hire a copywriter who really gets what you do.”
And you still offer helpful advice.
Who wouldn’t want to hire somebody like that who’s not in it to just get for themselves but who’s in it to help the person make the right decision?
So when the time comes, when it’s appropriate, you go out and tell people what you do. When is it appropriate? When someone’s looking for somebody who offers the service you offer.
Outright pitching is obnoxious and nobody likes it. You shouldn’t do it because it hurts your brand. It’s a horrible idea.
How to Really Get Clients on Social Media—Without Pitching
By now, you might be thinking, “Oh do I just get in there and serve and serve and wait for the off-chance that somebody will look for the services I offer? That sounds like a crapshoot to me.”
I’m glad you asked, because this approach is far from being passive and waiting. It’s all about actively engaging your potential clients in conversations that create relationships.
Let’s say you’re in a group of professional women about burnout, and somebody asked a question. Then you offered helpful advice and said, “Let’s get on the phone.”
That would be like walking up to a stranger in Starbucks who says, “Oh my gosh! I like your shirt!” and saying, “Awesome! Wanna be best friends?”
Nope. Instead, you use that opening to get them into a conversation with you. You get to know them better and they get to know you better.
Now, somewhere along the line, she’ll talk about a problem and you say something like, “You know, I actually do that for a living. I’d love to give you some recipes and see if they help. I’m not here to sell you anything. So why don’t you give me your email address and when I get home today, I’ll send you a couple of recipes? See if they’re up your alley because sometimes if we just have the right recipes, it’s going to fix everything.”
Then she says, “Oh, you’re so helpful. Thank you so much!”
And so you send her the recipes, and all of a sudden, you’re a superhero.
If those three recipes solve all of her problems, you’ve just made a fan.
If they don’t solve her problem but get her pointed in the right direction, she’s still going to be interested in hiring you. Your convo could go something like this:
Potential Client: “Oh my goodness! Those recipes were amazing. My kids love them. But now I need more.”
You: “Oh, I’m so glad to help. Like I told you before, this is what I do for a living. And one of the favorite things I do with my clients is set them up with meal plans for the entire month. Would that be something you’d be interested in?”
Potential Client: “Oh, that will be a lifesaver!”
… And all this began with a conversation on social media.
What’s the lesson here?
Don’t be in getting mode. Don’t jump to close the deal.
Instead, be in giving mode. Engage with others as a human being and have a conversation about how you can help them. Give them that free advice right at the beginning.
These are just the broad strokes. We teach the nitty gritty details in Make It Work Online®. You need to know the nuances of how to serve on social media, because those subtleties can spell the difference between building relationships and getting booted out as a spammer.
(I explain our entire framework for getting a steady flow of clients in a private training. It’s exclusively for those who want to work with us to launch or grow their online, service-based business. This means you have to apply and get accepted to get access to the training. Get the details here.)
“But I Need a Client—NOW!”
Now, I realized that if you’re hungry for clients, the bills may be stacking up. You might be thinking, “But I need clients fast.”
Let me tell you, the way to get clients fast is not to pitch people. In fact, that’s going to kill the long-term future of your business.
If you want to build a successful, long-term, sustainable business, you have to build yourself a reputation as somebody who’s helpful and kind and generous and who’s in it to give before getting.
And the way to do that is to help people generously.
I promise you that if you put your energy here, it will come back faster than you can imagine.
Here’s what you can do:
Let’s assume you want to have 10 clients a week, and it takes you one hour per week to serve each client. That means you have 10 hours a week right now that you’re not using with clients.
That’s 10 hours a week you can spend being of service, until you fill that time with actual clients!
Do you know how much you can help people in 10 hours a week?
If you want 10 hours of clients a week and you currently have no clients, then spend those 10 hours being helpful to as many people as possible, not going in it to get but going in it to give.
Click to TweetIf you want 10 hours of clients a week and you currently have no clients, then spend those 10 hours being helpful to as many people as possible, not going in it to get but going in it to give.Look at how busy you want to be with clients, and spend that much time being of service. In a month, you’ll be almost booked because that many people will be raving about you.
Go the extra mile. Be of service. Show up, and care about them as human beings.
Give, don’t get.
This will change your entire social media presence and strategy.
Watch the video where I explain all this:
Now that you see what you’ve done to send people running away and how to change it so they run toward you, it’s time to take action!
Click to TweetLearning how to get clients on social media from @jennyshih. Don’t miss out! Find out here >> http://bit.ly/29C7NkQ #businesstipsYour Action Steps
Are you ready to apply this proven, can’t-fail technique to your business so you can get more clients from social media? Here’s what you’ve got to do.
First, you have to watch the whole video! (Yes, I saw you click ahead. You gotta watch all of it, my friend!) Take notes and see what you need to do to get clients scurrying to hire you.
Then…
Step 1. In the comments below, tell me how many hours you’re going to set aside to use this strategy. You can also post on Instagram or Facebook, if you prefer.
Step 2. Determine where on social media you want to be of service. Not sure where to find your people? Download this cheat sheet.
Step 3. Get to it! Be of service like your business’s success depends on it—because it does!
Step 4. Please share this totally free training with your friends so everyone can get paid well to do amazing work for their clients. Thank you in advance!
Need help with a unique or specific challenge, or have questions about this crash course? Ask them in the comments below. I’m here to help!
I can’t wait to see you get clients…. You’ve got this!
My Personal Recommendation for YouFollow our proven plan for how to create a thriving, service-based online business
Who knew – they are real people on social media 🙂 so easy to forget when looking for clients so such a good remindet. Love the advice about how much time to spend giving.
Hehehe… real people, it’s true! I KNOW that if we spent every minute we wanted to be working with a client on getting clients, we could fill a roster lickety split! Have fun!
This video is great;I love the pace at which you talk, Jenny! Passionate and easy to follow – and LOVE the strategy at the end (won’t give it away, just take the full 10mins!). I have just reworked my business so I have “those hours’ you mention and ready to implement your plan!
Haha! Most people say I talk too fast!
That strategy at the end is THE KEY to booking yourself solid, pinky swear.
This was so helpful Jenny! I’ve heard so many people say to go online to get clients, but never really understood how to nurture the relationship so I’ve shied away from it. Being totally genuine like talking to someone you want to be friends with is the way to go. Also, spending the amount of time that you want to have clients but don’t is brilliant! I’m inspired & excited. 🙂
You’ve got it, Juliet. Just be total genuine like you’re talking to a friend. It really can be that easy 🙂 And yes, the more time you spend doing it, the more clients you’ll get!
Alright Jenny, so I tried this today and helped one young lady and she asked to write a testimonial for me and liked my business page. I didn’t pitch a thing. I also got a friend request from someone else that saw what I was doing.
I really like this. My goal is not going to be in terms of hours because I like how productive I can be in my 4 hour work day I’ve created by becoming super clear on my tasks but I will aim to add value to 5 people pitch free every single day.
How freaking fulfilling is this!! Thanks for this kick-in-the-butt.
LOVE THIS, Amanda! Thank you for sharing! You’re totally right — it’s fulfilling and it works! Woohoo!
Oh and I wanted to share the testimonial because I am in LOVE with this!!!
https://www.facebook.com/oneamandahines/posts/1754839894804381
Woot!
This is fantastic advice, Jenny. Really loved your video and so appreciate your generosity.
Thank you, Chanel! Have fun implementing it!
Jenny… I have a Q….One of the main groups I know my ideal client is in – I hardly see any one asking questions. There are tons of offers & pitches but hardly any – to no – questions being asked, so I don’t know how to actually help in this group. It is really noisy with everyone’s offers… Am I wasting my time in this group? Thanks.
Great question! It sounds like that one group in particular isn’t the best group for you to do this in. If there’s a lot of pitching and no real engagement, find another group. I suggest that my clients find 3-10 groups that they can REALLY engage in.
I’m so glad you said this Jenny. In the busy online world so many people are teaching that pitching is how to go about it yet it does nothing to build confidence or credibility. Great reminder thank you.
Thank you, Sarah! It’s “easy” to pitch but that’s not a very good way to get clients. Let’s be out there being of service and changing the world… and clients will be drawn to that fresh, generous energy!
SUCH great advice! I’ve shied away from social media in the past because of all the pitching but this has given me a nudge in the bum around having the right mindset to be on social. THANK YOU : )
I hear you! All of that pitching is obnoxious and a total turn off. It’s time to show up and be humans interacting with other humans! The awesome thing is that if you do this, you’ll totally stand out in the perfect way. Yay!
Yaaaasssss!!!! Thank you Jenny, this was ridiculously helpful & exactly what I needed to hear! I’m going to start being of service for 5 hours a week as I have no clients yet & would love 5. Thank you so much!
So happy to help! Have fun in those 5 hours and please please report back on how it goes AND if you need help, ask right here. I’d love to help however I can. This approach was how I got my business off the ground and I love to teach it.
This was so great!! Much needed advice. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you, and you’re welcome!
That was so helpful! Thanks for being kind and generous to help us out!! Love the idea of spending time helping others instead of wasting time trying to figure out how to grow my business.
You’re welcome. And you get it — show up and help and it will grow your business. Have fun!
Jenny, this is amazing advice. I recently had a mentor tell me I sounded like I was “selling” the coaching experience. I thanked him profusely…because I think my desire to help was coming out the wrong way. Your examples resonate and reinforced what I was unintentionally doing! Thank you so much!!
Awesome, Rachel! I’m thrilled you got that feedback so you can show up exactly like you want to. Have fun doing what it sounds like you’re already good at!
Starting with 5 hours a week ne aide I have no clients and would love to start with 5 once my business is up and running (early fall).
Sounds like a plan! Have fun being of service and getting clients!
I absolutely LOVE this Jenny! Thank you!! 🙂
I just have to share that I have implemented a few of your strategies in the past few days and the results have been unbelievable. I was so hesitant to talk to anyone on FB or social media about what I do because I didn’t want to “give” away too much information. I simply posted yesterday afternoon if anyone had any baby sleep related questions that I could answer and the response has been staggering! I have been posting away on social media for a year and have NEVER gotten the response like I got yesterday! What a difference when you go from the attitude of get, get, get to give, give, give. It has changed my whole outlook. People are now talking about what I do and even implementing some of my strategies as of last night with their babies! I am overjoyed about this. I think I do I have to find a fine line between giving away too much? I tried to keep the answers short and sweet and also attached a link to one of my blog posts that was relevant for one mom. It was tempting to try to get them on a consult call (which is immediately what I would have done before) but I held off and will stay in touch with them, gain some trust & try for the consult down the road a bit? This is one area where your guidance will be so critical.
This makes me so happy, Jo Anna!! First that you took action and second that you surprised yourself! (That happens for my clients all the time and it makes my day!)
You’re so right that when we show up to GIVE the energy totally changes in the interactions. Yay!
You ask a great question about the fine line between giving away too much and giving away enough that people feel the value of what you offer. This is one of those things that you’ll have to “feel out” over time. I’m going to give you a bunch of things to look at and consider as you play with it. I promise that with continued practice and experimentation, you’ll find your sweet spot. (And I’m so excited for you!)
First, generally err on the side of over-giving. People can often feel when you hold back, and no one likes that feeling. When you’re new and getting started, you want to over-give, because it will help people remember you. And creating a solid reputation as a generous, awesome person will totally serve you in the long run of your business.
Second, watch for the situations where you really can’t answer it in a FB comment thread. It might be that you can give them a quick tip, but to fully explain something and make sure it’s right for their baby, you really would have to hop on the phone.
In those cases, you want to be honest with them. You can say something like, “My first thought would be to have you try XYZ. It could work if _______ but it might not work if ______. Since these situations are so unique to each child and each family, it’s hard to sum it up in a FB post without knowing you more.”
Then you have two options as to how to close out that comment. (It’s going to get a little complicated, but I think you can stick with me on this!)
One option is to say, “I love nothing more than families sort through their unique sleep challenges. Once we figure out the magic formula for them, everyone’s sleeping and much happier! We can certainly talk about how I can help your family, if you like. Let me know and I can send you more information.”
The second option is to say, “If you want, we can hop on the phone for 5 minutes, and I can ask you a few quick questions to give you a better answer. Sometimes it’s easier to have that quick phone call. Let me know if you’re free tomorrow.”
Then, you hop on the phone and give them advice. Then you follow up via email and sell them LATER.
This second strategy can work great.. but the steps get a little complicated. We talk about this more in Make It Work Online plus I give you email scripts and templates on how to follow up.
But hopefully that gives you an idea.
The KEY is to feel SOLID in whatever approach you take. If you pitch too soon and you feel awkward about it, it won’t work. So you have to find the time that feels right to you.
Go back and watch the video again when you have a chance. Now that you’ve been practicing it for awhile, listen to the example of the woman in Starbucks I give and how I talk about “hopping on the phone.” You might see it better now that you’ve been practicing.
Congrats on things going so well, and good luck with these next steps. You’re doing it!!!
This is an eye-opener, Jenny! I never comment on blog posts usually-I’m the lurker type, haha- but I have been following you for a while now and you are absolutely amazing. This coming from one INTJ to another 😉
Everyone talks about how important it is to be on social media and build relationships but no one tells you how to do it the right way. I didn’t realize I have been doing it the wrong way all this time. The problem is, I wasn’t overselling but I wasn’t being consistent. As a result, the time and effort I put into serving others went down the drain and eventually I stopped showing up.
I have 0 client hours now and I want 15 client hrs per week to boot. I like how you said ‘Give, Give and Give’- that’s what I’m going to do, show up every single day and help others for 15hrs/week without asking for anything in return. I’m also going to use another 15 hours for creating free content. Do you think this is a good place to start?
THANK YOU 🙂
Awesome, Krithika! I’m so glad I could help!
As far as spending 15 hours being of service — yes!
As for 15 hours of creating content — maybe. Creating content just to have content doesn’t do anything in and of itself if no one sees it. You’ve got to do things that will drive people to your site to see the content, using things like guest posting, for example. https://jennyshih.com/2016/05/get-traffic-need-make-money-online/
It’s great to have good content, and yes you should create it for your site, though maybe one blog post per week is enough. Then spend your other time on building your list and getting eyeballs on your site.
Here are a few other resources that might help:
jennyshih.com/21ways
get1000subscribers.com
Best of luck!
You are absolutely right! Now that I think of it, it is pointless to keep creating content and hoping people would magically discover my content.
I’ve been following many people and usually they all have different suggestions. I usually read and then end up not following anything at all. This time around, I’m determined to follow just your advice and see where it takes me 🙂
Thanks so much, Jenny! I appreciate you taking your time to respond to my comment with helpful suggestions. Much love xx
Awesome, Krithika!!
Jenny, you are a gem! I took your advice and got a client in the next 2 days. I can’t believe this. Initially, it was hard and I was finding excuses to not show up on FB (I’m an introvert and this isn’t easy for me) but then one day I finally decided to go for it. I spent few hours engaging and answering people about membership sites and course creation. The very next day one person asked me if I know anyone who could do what I suggested her. I said I actually do that and then we got on the phone and BOOM I got myself a client.
I’m religiously showing up on social media, helping and engaging and I got couple more messages from people wanting to know more about what I do and how they can work with me! I have few discovery calls scheduled 🙂 I’m so excited Jenny! Thank you so much xx
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that you did this, followed through, and saw it work! (I know it works, but I know most people are skeptical!)
Comments like yours MAKE MY DAY, so THANK YOU so much for coming back here and telling me how it went. I’m so happy for you!! Way to get out there, do the work, and get clients. Woohoo!!!
I am just eating up your content this morning. I’m looking forward to reviewing the accompanying download as I struggle a bit with finding the appropriate groups and places to offer help. I have a few specific niche – coaching for new moms who are struggling to find who they are as a new mom with a particular focus on working mamas. I know that new moms spend the majority of their time on FB…it’s what I did. But so many of those groups are out there for moms to post questions about how to care for their baby, parenting questions, etc. The frequency of posts where moms are willing to get vulnerable and ask hard questions about losing themselves, struggling with relationships, mom guilt, etc. is not very high.
Do you have any content on how to pose questions or prompts that could open up discussions where one could provide help and value? Or do you think it’s just that I’m in the wrong kinds of “moms” groups?
Thanks so much!
Because I feel that the best online conversations are the most natural ones, I don’t have any scripts for how that should go. In general, talk to them like you’d talking to a new acquaintance. You wouldn’t dive in deep and ask wildly personal questions to someone you just met. Instead, you’d have an open, curious conversation, just like the example in the video.
Play with this and see how it goes. I find that it takes my clients a little time “playing” before they find their personal groove. So have fun experimenting!
Hi Jenny! Thanks for sharing this. Do you have any advice if my business is product based. Like bags…. How can I promote that more so I can have more clients. I want to help, but I dont know how to incorporate my biz in the service area.
I will confess that service-based businesses are my area of expertise, so when it comes to products, I can only make some good guesses 🙂
I like to think about product-based BIG businesses, like Crate and Barrel or West Elm (we recently did a remodel, so those kinds of businesses are on my mind!). They post IDEAS and INSPIRATION. Yes, they’re selling their products, but they don’t say, “Buy our chair,” they say, “What are you doing to freshen up your outdoor space this spring?” (along with a pic of their outdoor furniture).
Physical products solve problems, so pinpoint what problems your people have that your product solves.
Also, start following some big and smaller physical goods companies and see how they show up to serve without pushing their products. You’ll definitely get ideas.
Jenny ~ What you said about a company showing their chair and using it as an idea or inspiration really hit home (excuse the bad pun). I understand exactly what you are saying. Also I have heard before that you need to figure out how to solve a problem, but never thought about it in the way that you mentioned. Yes every dog does need a collar (problem), MY collar (solution) not just any collar. I get it!!! Thanks for all the time and effort you are putting into this!
Yikes ~ I have doing this all wrong for a year now! Now I realise that I need to change a be of service, but I sell gemstone dog collars. They are fabulous, but they don’t ‘solve problems’. The way I have been pitching them is to “celebrate the love” you have for your dog. Jenny, I know you love your dog because when we first met, you told me about her right away! Mei Mei is very special to you and I know that you want to show everyone just how much she means to you. My Natural Gemstone and Handcrafted Dog Collars will make Mei Mei stand out in the crowd!
I am completely stumped by what I can do to offer help to Dog Lovers and Dog Pawrents. During the summer I offer an extremely easy doggy ice cream recipe to anyone and everyone. Does that count? I am totally clueless, but I am consistently active on FB, Twitter, and Instagram.
First take a look at the comment I just left for Ivy because that would apply to you as well.
And yes, products solve problems. EVERYTHING anyone buys ever is because it solves a problem.
Artwork for a living room wall solves the problem of decor or filling blank space or impressing guests or expressing oneself.
A dog collar solves the problem of… well, all dogs need collars! So secondarily, the design of a collar reflects the expression and preferences of an owner. We like a sporty collar on our pup because we identify as sporty folks. Other people like diamond-studded collars because they like to be that kind of people.
All products solve problems.
The next thing you need to consider is that if your end goal (and the lens through which you look to serve) is to make a sale, then you immediately stop being of service. It’s a catch 22. To truly be of service, we have to detach from the end goal of making the sale and realize that when done well in an enough amounts, being of service will bring clients.
Think on these ideas and see what comes to you!
Hi Karen, I might be repeating what Jenny and others have said, but have you tried thinking beyond the idea that you only have beautiful collars to offer? Because I think you do! For example, you could serve dog owners with great information about the steps to ensure a well fitting collar ( 2 finger rule, etc). Or how to keep a collar clean and stink-free — don’t all of us dog owners wince at “stinky collar syndrome?” :). What else is related to collars? How about the importance of keeping your id tags updated and legible/scuff-free, microchipping, etc. Or more in the “fun” realm, you could offer your potential customers ideas on dog-friendly restaurants in your area or other new/current discovery. It doesn’t have to be about collars – it can be anything that is of interest to dog lovers or celebrating life with dogs. So I think you were on the right track with the ice cream recipe!
This is so great, Jenny! I can’t wait to take your advice. One thing I constantly struggle with is that my ideal clients are businesses and brands, so I’m not likely to know about or encounter a way to be helpful (since a company isn’t likely to ask for advice on sm). But I set my google alerts to topics that are relevant in their field, and also to the names of key companies on my wish list — so if there is big news in their field, or if they themselves are mentioned in the news, I can at least post about it, knowing they MIGHT see it. And in the cases where I do have a contact within a business, I can send newsworthy articles to them and say “did you see this?” or send a congratulatory note if they get a great media mention (and share it on sm, and # their company). This lets them know I’m on top of their areas of interest, and keeps my name in the back of their mind. But how to be truly, directly helpful? Still unsure 🙂
Following up from my reply to your other comment about connecting with the PEOPLE, you’re on the right track! Simply keeping in touch with people who could be your clients and customers is a great way to serve them. With my clients, we talk more deeply about what they offer and how to connect with people who may want those offers, but it sounds like you’re headed in the right direction. I suggest playing with and experimenting with various ideas, and have fun getting curious about what will connect with the people you want to help. You can’t go wrong with that kind of attitude and action!
Melanie ~ Thank you for taking time to offer some wonderful ideas! I can tell you are a Dog Mom, so I really appreciate your insight. It is funny what you mentioned because when I was setting up my company Pinterest, I looked at other company boards to see what made them successful. One I found was a Fine Jewelry store that specializes in bridal rings. Their Pinterest boards not only had their products, but also had boards on caterers, florists, photographers, etc. So I did a few boards that were related to my collars, one is homemade treat recipes, another is home products for Dog Parents, plus one for truly spoiled pups such as lavish dog beds and bone shaped pools, etc. so I can use this as my spring board! I had started in the right direction but didn’t even know it! Thanks again for your suggestions! BTW, what kind of Fur Baby do you have?
Karen, you’re very welcome! I have also found myself remembering things I’ve done in the past that were on the right track, but as most of us here are a bit overwhelmed with so many ideas and questions, I suspect we often get sidetracked and forget our own good ideas. Oh, and I actually don’t have a dog right now. We had a beautiful old yellow Lab who left us 2 years ago. We will get another soon, probably next year. I have all the Lab rescues in my area on my Instagram feed 🙂
Melanie,
I am so sorry for your loss. Even though time passes, you still look for the water bowl to fill up, etc. I’m a big fan of adopt, not shop also. Thanks again for your help!
Hey Jenny! Love this and just had to do a re-watch. I definitely need to commit the hours I have available for clients to being of service because I seem to fill it with other good business building activities but they’re not really holding the space for clients to book. I also have a question: what do you recommend for following up, if anything! So if I’m commenting on a post, being really helpful and linking to a blog post or free resource whether it’s mine or someone else’s then what? Could I check in with them via PM a week later and just ask how if they’ve made progress with their problem? Or is it a wait for them to come to me situation? Thanks!!
Yay for taking action!! It’s definitely a case-by-case situation on how to respond.
In some cases, you’ll probably not follow up (eg, if you’re helping answer a question that has nothing to do with your biz). Other times, you’ll follow up in that same thread; other times via message.
When they might be a potential client, see how you can “keep the conversation going” (not artificially, of course), and experiment with the best way to do it. The more action you take, the more practice you get, and the more likely you are to find the ways that work best for you. The key is to keep at it!
Good luck and have fun!
Awesome! That really helps. 🙂 Thank you so much for your quick reply.
Hi Jenny
I’m a newborn photographer – would you join groups of new mums and offer advice as a mum or on taking images,
I’m struggling to see how I can help – because no group I’ve been in are people asking for advice about taking images if they are its to start their own business as a photographer
Hi Sarah. Great question! In the case of your business, which is an in-person business, the specifics of the execution are a little different. This means you’ll need to take the general intent here, but shift it to be more appropriate for running an in-person business.
Some ideas include:
1. Looking for a local FB group for your community. For example, my town has two FB groups where people talk about stuff that’s going on in the town, inquire about local businesses, etc. So if you’re in that group regularly, people might be asking about newborn photographers.
2. Joining local networking groups in your area. The reason I talk about FB groups is because my expertise is in helping online, virtual business owners (who work with clients remotely). Since there are no regular, in-person networking events for worldwide businesses, we use FB as a place to networking. For you, because you serve people in person, you’ll want to leverage your local community and build your network there — more than virtually.
3. Connect with referral sources. Midwives, doulas, pediatricians, local toy stores, baby stores, prenatal yoga teachers, or other businesses that serve your clientele are great leads for what you do. Make those connections and build those relationships, and you’ll set yourself up for business to be sent your way.
Hope this helps!
Sarah
Not sure how long ago you posted this question but I know a number of young mums who love taking photos of their children and I am sure would love advice. There are FB groups for young mums, not sure if that is any help or if you have moved on from here.
Very nice blog!! Thanks for sharing with us.
I’m going to dedicate 1/2 an hour a day to socialize in facebook groups. I’ve narrowed my target market down so well I know what the last podcast was that they listened to haha so I know where to find em! Very excited to serve people in a unique way!
I see now I’ve been pitching not helping. Having said that, all the FB groups I belong to were specifically created just for people to share their businesses so there is no opportunity to help. I have my own FB group as well for my niche and I’m nothing but helpful, but have never gotten any interest in my business. Any advice?
I have another question. One business I’m trying to launch is selling one type of product for a very specific purpose. There’s nothing to say about it, teach how to use, explain the benefits etc… It’s extremely niche and anyone who looks for it knows exactly what to do with it. How do you do anything but plug that product in this case?
Great question. Product sales isn’t my area of expertise. What I can say is that people need that product for a reason, and you can talk about that reason and why it’s the solution to that problem. People often also need education about a product if it’s new and they haven’t seen it before.
For more guidance on product sales, check out Kendrick Shope’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kendrickshope
Hey Jenny, such an insightful post! I did try pitching my services to a few ideal clients via Instagram (following all suggestions from the ‘gurus’- it didn’t work). Now I know exactly why! I have been posting consistently on social media for the past few weeks. I do not have any clients as of now. So, 5 hours a week is what I intend to put in for creating content that actually helps my target group. Thanks again!
That sounds like a wise shift. Good luck!
“Great insights! It’s amazing how often we overlook the importance of consistency and genuine engagement on social media. This article is a timely reminder that just posting content isn’t enough – building real connections with our audience is key. Thanks for the actionable tips!”
Thank you. Yes, connections are key. People want to connect to people not brands.