As a small business owner or service provider, you know there are different seasons when it comes to business. Some seasons business is booming, and others feel a little more challenging. It can be overwhelming to think about finding new business in the midst of a slow season— However, think of it as an opportunity rather than a roadblock.

True to form, we put together a few strategies to implement when finding new clients and growing your business!

Use Social Media

Social media is more than influencers posting subpar advertisements, it’s a marketing tool. A free marketing tool. There’s a whole community of creatives, business owners, service providers, and more sharing about their work. Posting about your work online builds your credibility, makes your business look busy, and showcases your skills to potential clients.

Start A Blog

We’re big fans of blogging. Blogging consistently will boost your SEO, which makes you easier to find online.

#ProTip: Brainstorm topics your target audience would be searching for, write a blog post about a topic, and then title it something searchable. For example, if you’re a Virtual Assistant, use a blog title like “How to Hire a Virtual Assistant” or “How to Know If You’re Ready for a Virtual Assistant.”

Blogging about your industry, your business, and even your work will position you as an expert and solidify your credibility for potential clients (see our post about Thought Leadership here). If you aren’t sure where to start, we have a list of blog ideas to help you get started. 

Use Your Network

We’re not suggesting you start cold messaging everyone who follows you on Instagram, but it is possible to tap into your network to help your business grow. If you have a good relationship with an existing client, it wouldn’t be out of place to ask them for referrals. This takes some tact and planning, but if your client had a great experience with you, they’re likely to refer you to their peers.

Work On Your Business

You know that quote “don’t just work in your business, work on your business”? Well, it’s true! Take the slower seasons to hone in on your processes, update your portfolio, fine-tune your client onboarding, revamp your website, etc. Focus your time on marketing your own business. This will help you feel more prepared to take on new clients without distracting you from your existing ones. Once new work comes in, you’ll be ready.

As a business owner, slow seasons are inevitable— but they can be a time of opportunity if you take advantage of it. In fact, this is a key area we focus on in our 1:1 coaching program. If you need help getting your name out there and Marketing your business, let’s talk! We’ll discuss your business goals and put together a strategy to get you there (and have a blast while doing it).