Do you sometimes find yourself in a tight spot where you need to get clients NOW!? A spot where you simply cannot wait for carefully planted marketing seeds to bloom into clients over time?

Well, you’ve probably heard from many marketing gurus that the best way to get clients is through building your list and taking clients through the Know, Like and Trust (KLT) cycle where you nurture the relationship, showcase your expertise, build trust and eventually convert them into paying clients.

Although those are great strategies and can result in a steady stream of clients, the scary thing is, it is a long-term strategy. It seldom generates clients immediately.

So what do you do if you are in business, but you do not have a list already? What if you are just starting out? What activities can you undertake right now to get new clients and income this week?

The best thing you can do and the fastest way to get clients, is to personally reach out to people in your immediate sphere of influence. Yes, this means that you have to speak to people, either in person or via the telephone.

So, here are 2 very effective “Get Clients Now” tips you can start using today.

1. Get in touch with current and past clients:

There is a common (and very true) saying in business: ‘It’s easier to get a repeat sale from an existing or past client, than to get a sale from a new client.’

The reason for this is that you already took your current and past clients through the KLT cycle and they already trust you.

So, personally reach out to those clients and have meaningful conversations with them. Ask what is going on in their business. Listen if there is anything they need right now. Are there any challenges they experience? Do they need additional support that you perhaps can help them with? When you pick up on something during the discussion, a great question to get the conversation into a place where you can offer your help is this: “If I can help you solve that problem / get that result, would you like to know more about it?”

They will almost always say ‘yes’. At this point you can share more about what you have for them, how they will benefit and how to take it further.

Also, if you start delivering a new service or designed a new product or program, get in touch with your past and current clients and introduce it to them. Offer this new service / program / product from a standpoint of being of service to them. You can simply say something like: “When I thought of who might benefit from this, I immediately thought of you. Would you like to hear more about it?”

…and I guess, they probably would.

2. Ask for referrals

Have you ever heard the saying: “Ask and you will receive”? This is not only true in the biblical sense of it, but it does apply to business as well.

If you do not ask for referrals, it is highly unlikely that you’ll receive some – not because people do not want to give them, but simply because they do not always think about it. However, when you do ask, you’ll be surprised at how willing people is to help out.

So, get in touch with current and past clients and ask if they know other people like them who might benefit from your services. Odds are, they’ll likely do.

Get in touch with people in your normal circle of influence – people who already know you. Your friends, family, acquaintances, collegues…even your hairdresser. Tell them how you help your clients and very important… tell them what kind of clients you are looking for. Then ask if they know someone who fits the description. You never know if these people might have the right connections for you.

A basic script to ask for referrals are as follows: “Is there someone you know who might benefit from [getting this solution to this problem]? I’d love to get in touch with them.”

If they say yes, simply continue with: “Would it be possible to please introduce us with a three way email and mention that you referred them to me? I’ll take it from there.”

If they say no, simply ask: “Would you be on the lookout for friends and acquaintances who might benefit from [getting this solution to this problem]. If you do see a match, they are welcome to call me directly on xxx or you can introduce us via email.

When you get a referral and gets introduced, it is time to take action and personally reach out. Get those referrals on the phone and have a meaningful conversation to find out more about their business and to see if you can help them get what they want.

Bottom line: when you need clients fast, it is important NOT to play the waiting game. You simply cannot wait for people to get back to you on quotes or wait for people to send you referrals or wait for replies on emails or wait for people to contact you via your website.

Rather make the decision today, gather the courage and take action to personally reach out to people.

Give it a try and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results you’ll get.

The next step: Sign up for the free action guide: “6 Steps to go from no clients to paying clients”. It will show you a proven road map to attract the clients you want. And as a bonus gift, you’ll receive more practical tips like this on a regular basis.

To Your Continued Success