Do you want to get more clients? Marketing your business is vital but there are so many things to think about when starting up that it can be overwhelming.
I recommend that you at least do number 1 on this list of 17 as a priority. Then work through the rest when you have time or you could outsource it to a competent VA 🙂
1. Add Listing to Google My Business To Get More Clients
What is one of the best marketing moves you can make to get more clients as a small business owner? Get yourself on Google Maps—a.k.a. Google My Business. It’s totally free and incredibly effective.
When you list your business there, locals searching for your type of service are more likely to find you. And let’s face it, people love to support nearby businesses (especially when it means faster delivery or someone who understands what “round the corner from Tesco” actually means).
Even better, you don’t need a website to set it up—just your business info and a willingness to be found.
When I started my Virtual Assistant business, this was one of the first things I did—right after adding myself to directories like Yell.com. (Though fair warning: they may start ringing you about a paid listing like it’s their full-time hobby.)
2. Launch a Website
A website isn’t strictly essential these days—but let’s be honest, it does help people take your business more seriously. If you’re not quite ready to dive into the world of domains and hosting, starting with a simple Facebook page is a great way to get the ball rolling. Or why not check out the Canva websites on Etsy.
When you’re ready to level up, building a website doesn’t have to drain your bank account. That said, do keep in mind there are some yearly costs involved. You’ll need to buy a domain name (basically, your online address) and pay for hosting—which is like renting space on the internet for your website to live.
I personally recommend SiteGround for hosting—reliable and beginner-friendly. Once that’s sorted, you’ll need to choose a platform. I always go with WordPress—it’s a user-friendly content management system (CMS) that lets you make updates yourself without begging a busy web designer for help every time you want to change a comma.
3. Understand your Customers and Get More Clients
This marketing tip can be a bit tricky to wrap your head around at first. The key is to start by clearly defining who your ideal customer is.
Think about what’s keeping them up at night—maybe they’re drowning in admin work or stuck doing tasks they hate. Once you understand their struggles, you can shape your marketing message to show how you’re the solution. Let them know exactly how your service can take the pressure off and make their life a whole lot easier.
4. Business Card Marketing Tips
Why Businesses Still Use Business Cards:
✔ Professionalism & First Impressions – A well-designed card adds credibility and leaves a lasting impression.
✔ Convenience & Accessibility – No need for Wi-Fi, apps, or devices—just a quick exchange of information.
✔ Branding & Marketing – Unique designs, premium materials, and creative elements make businesses stand out.
✔ Networking in Traditional Settings – Conferences, trade shows, and networking events still favor physical cards.
✔ Global & Cross-Industry Use – Some cultures and industries (e.g., real estate, law, and finance) still expect business cards as a norm.
Modern Enhancements:
To keep up with digital trends, many professionals now include QR codes on business cards, linking to websites, portfolios, or digital contact forms.
Top Tips for Using Business Cards Effectively To Get More Clients
Design for Impact
Keep it clean, professional, and easy to read.
Use high-quality materials and printing for a polished look.
Add a logo, brand colours, and a clear call to action (e.g., “Schedule a Call”).
Consider unique finishes like matte, glossy, embossed, or textured cards.
Include Essential Information
Your name, job title, and company should stand out.
Add phone number, email, and website—only relevant details.
Use a QR code to link to your portfolio, LinkedIn, or booking page.
Always Carry Them
Keep business cards in your wallet, bag, or car for spontaneous networking.
Have extras at conferences, meetings, and networking events.
Store them in a case to keep them clean and professional-looking.
Hand Them Out Strategically
Offer your card after a meaningful conversation—not randomly.
Ask for the other person’s card in return.
Write a quick note on the back (if there’s space) to personalise the exchange.
Follow Up
After meeting someone, send a quick email or LinkedIn message referencing your conversation.
Mention where you met and express interest in staying connected.
5. Word of Mouth Marketing Tips To Get More Clients
Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful and authentic ways to grow your business. When happy customers share their experiences with friends, family, or colleagues, it builds trust and credibility in a way that traditional advertising can’t. People are more likely to believe recommendations from those they know, making personal referrals incredibly valuable. To encourage this, provide outstanding service, engage with your customers, and make it easy for them to spread the word—whether through social media, testimonials, or referral programs. When your business consistently delivers value, word-of-mouth marketing becomes a natural and effective way to attract loyal customers.
6. Networking Face-to-Face
Face-to-face networking remains one of the most effective marketing tools, allowing you to build genuine connections, establish trust, and leave a lasting impression. Unlike online interactions, in-person conversations create deeper relationships, making it easier to convey your passion and expertise.
For introverts, like myself, networking can feel intimidating, but small adjustments can make it more comfortable. Start by setting small, achievable goals, like initiating one conversation per event. Focus on listening rather than talking — people appreciate feeling heard. Prepare a few open-ended questions to break the ice, and practice a concise introduction about yourself and your business. If large events feel overwhelming, try smaller gatherings or one-on-one meetings. Most importantly, follow up with new contacts afterward to keep the connection alive. With time and practice, networking can become a natural and rewarding way to grow your business. I discovered that attending meetings regularly helped me attract more customers.
7. Social Media Marketing Tips to Get More Clients
Know Your Audience
Identify your target audience’s interests, pain points, and preferred platforms.
Use insights and analytics to understand their behavior and engagement patterns.
Choose the Right Platforms
Focus on the social media platforms where your audience is most active (e.g., Instagram for visuals, LinkedIn for B2B, TikTok for younger audiences).
Avoid spreading yourself too thin—quality over quantity.
Post Consistently
Create a content calendar to stay organised and post regularly.
Use scheduling tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Meta Business Suite to automate posts.
Create Engaging Content
Mix content types: videos, images, stories, carousels, and live streams.
Share behind-the-scenes content, customer testimonials, and educational posts.
Keep captions conversational and include strong calls to action.
Leverage Video & Reels
Short-form videos (Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts) get higher engagement.
Use storytelling to keep your audience hooked.
Use Hashtags & SEO
Research relevant hashtags to increase reach and visibility.
Optimise captions with keywords to help people find your content.
Engage With Your Audience
Reply to comments, messages, and mentions to build relationships.
Run polls, Q&A sessions, and contests to encourage interaction.
Collaborate & Partner Up
Work with influencers, brand ambassadors, or complementary businesses.
Cross-promote content and leverage each other’s audiences.
Run Paid Ads Strategically
Use targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to reach specific demographics.
A/B test different creatives to see what works best.
Track & Adjust
Regularly review analytics to see what’s working and what’s not.
Adapt your strategy based on engagement, reach, and conversion data.
If you are particularly good at social media this could be something that you offer as a service. Check out how to become a Social Media Manager.
8. Content Marketing Tips – Search Engine Optimisation
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is, in simple terms, the process of using the right keywords to help people find your business, service, product, or information online. These are the words and phrases people type into search engines, and incorporating them into your website increases the chances of your business being discovered. However, it’s crucial to use keywords naturally — stuffing your content with them can make it unreadable and harm your rankings. Instead, focus on creating high-quality, informative content that seamlessly includes relevant keywords while still making sense to your audience.
9. Add a Blog to your Website To Get More Clients
I’ve noticed that websites that perform well in search engine rankings often have a regularly updated blog. Consistently publishing fresh content not only drives more traffic to the site but also provides valuable information for customers. When visitors find helpful articles, they recognise your expertise in the field, building trust in your brand. The best part? You don’t need to be a professional writer — outsourcing to platforms like PeoplePerHour allows you to maintain a strong blog without the hassle of writing everything yourself. Alternatively, you can utilise ChatGPT to create your content to get more clients.
10. Email Marketing
Once you’ve acquired customers, it’s crucial to stay connected with them to build long-lasting relationships and encourage repeat business. One of the most effective ways to do this is through email marketing, which allows you to nurture customer loyalty, promote new products or services, and share valuable content. To get started, you’ll need an email marketing software, and MailChimp is a great option, offering a free plan that works well for small businesses. It allows you to design professional emails, segment your audience, and track performance —all without a hefty budget.
Despite how simple and cost-effective email marketing can be, many businesses overlook its potential. Whether it’s due to lack of time or uncertainty about where to start, the opportunity is often missed. By regularly sending personalised, engaging emails to your customers, you can keep your business top of mind and encourage repeat visits, positive reviews, and referrals. The key is consistency — don’t let your connection with customers fade after the initial sale.
11. Be Consistent To Get More Clients
Always be consistent with your work and provide a great service and you will get more clients.
Additionally, don’t stretch yourself too much. On numerous occasions I have turned work down as I was too busy. This has meant I have been able to maintain a high quality service and have thus retained customers for over 14 years.
I have used people who start out great but then they take on too much work. This results in a dramatic loss of quality. I no longer use these people. However, I would still use them if the quality was consistent.
12. Run a Competition
Why not host a competition on social media to boost engagement? You can ask participants to like your Facebook page or sign up for your email list as an entry requirement. The prize doesn’t have to be extravagant—consider offering something valuable like a free week of social media management from an expert. This simple strategy could not only attract attention but also lead to you gaining customers down the line.
13. Write a guest post
Writing a guest post is a powerful strategy for driving more traffic to your website and hopefully get more clients. By contributing valuable content to another website or blog in your industry, you can tap into their established audience and gain exposure to potential customers who may not have discovered your business otherwise. Guest posts allow you to showcase your expertise, build authority, and include links back to your own site, improving both visibility and SEO. It’s important to focus on providing high-quality, relevant content that offers real value to the readers, as this will increase the likelihood of people clicking through to learn more about your business. Additionally, guest posts often result in backlinks, which can enhance your site’s search engine rankings, further boosting traffic.
14. Publish a Book To Get More Clients
Demonstrate your expertise on a subject by writing a book. Once it’s finished, you can easily self-publish it on Amazon, a process simpler than you might think. Whether you write it yourself or hire a writer, the book can be converted into a Kindle .mobi file for easy distribution. While Amazon also accepts Word documents, the formatting is not as clean. If you prefer not to handle the conversion yourself, there are companies that can assist with this, such as the service I offer at Help on Tap. After the conversion, you can upload your book to Kindle and start selling it. Alternatively, you can leave it in Word format and offer it as a freebie on your website to attract more visitors.
15. Offer a Freebie
Offering a freebie in exchange for an email address is a great way to build your email list and engage potential customers. By providing valuable content – whether it’s an eBook, guide, checklist, or exclusive discount – you give visitors an incentive to sign up for your newsletter or updates. This exchange benefits both you and the customer: they get something useful, and you gain access to their email, allowing you to nurture the relationship through targeted email marketing. To make this strategy even more effective, ensure your freebie is highly relevant to your audience’s needs and interests, making them more likely to convert into loyal customers down the line.
16. Sign up to Forums
Signing up for relevant forums can be an excellent marketing strategy, allowing you to connect directly with your target audience and establish yourself as an authority in your industry. By participating in discussions, offering helpful advice, and answering questions, you can build trust and credibility within the community. Sharing valuable insights without directly selling helps position your brand as a go-to resource. Additionally, many forums allow you to include a link to your website in your profile or signature, providing a subtle yet effective way to drive traffic to your site. Consistency is key—by staying active and engaging with the community, you can foster lasting relationships that lead to increased visibility and potential customers.
17. Join Groups
Signing up for relevant groups on platforms like Facebook can be a powerful marketing strategy to grow your business. By joining groups that align with your industry or target audience, you can actively engage in conversations, share valuable insights, and offer solutions to common problems. These groups create a sense of community, where members trust each other and are more likely to respond positively to helpful advice. Additionally, you can share your expertise, promote your products or services subtly, and direct people to your website or special offers when appropriate. Just remember, the key is to focus on adding value and building relationships rather than overtly selling — this approach fosters trust and encourages group members to check out your business when they need your services.
Farewell Thoughts: Starting a business is very difficult and marketing your business is extremely important. Therefore, try to do as many of the marketing tips above as possible with number 1 being your priority. If you are overwhelmed then ask for help in forums. Alternatively, try PeoplePerHour to find experts.
Good Luck and let me know what works best for you below.