Opportunity bank/opportunity creation methods
A place for you to store contacts, people you would love to collaborate, dream clients and anyone you admire in your industry!
Hey All!!
I thought I would share this free resource with you that I have been using myself.
I call it the opportunity bank and you can access the notion file below
https://www.notion.so/YOUR-OPPORTUNITY-BANK-10c71013249f803a9389c8f9da4a0366
Once of the number one things that people ask me is - how to get new clients.
Clients are not going to come to you just by sitting behind your desk and posting on instagram a few times a week.
To get what we want - we need to go after what we want.
We need to get out there in the big wide world, using our voice and ability to connect with others to create opportunity for yourself.
As soon as we take our future into our own hands and stop waiting for things to fall into our laps - the more control we have over the trajectory of our business and goals.
The mindset shift that I want you to make when it comes to getting clients is…
Getting clients does not happen over night.
Sometimes it can, but think of building your client and collaborator pipeline as a LONG TERM GAME.
You can make a connection now that could convert 2 years later
The conversation that you had with another provider could mean that they refer you to a client at any point where they remember you
Build genuine relationships over time and nurture them even if they don’t convert straight away. Not just to keep them on board but because you made a connection and felt good
Dont be afraid to pitch yourself to everyone and anyone. They will not be offended, it won’t seem desperate and you are not annoying!
Here are some opportunity methods you can try today and start to make your list in your bank:
Friends, friends of friends, family, your uncles dogs cousins mother etc etc:
Think about annyyoonnneee that you know, who knows someone, who may know someone that can help you.
A - Have their own business
B - Have people in their network with their own business
C - Work for somewhere that you could offer your services to
They say that its easier to turn a client into a friend than turn a friend into a client but leaning on those closest to you who may be able to get you an easy in - is worth it
Past work lives:
I recently connected with the old Head Of Pr at my last full time role 7 years ago. I had followed her on linked in but then it popped up that she had started her own business.
I arranged to catch up with her and we realised that our audiences could cross over and could refer each other.
This is just one example, but try to utilise anyone in your current/past professional network. Find them on linked in, connect, engage and if you think that there is a cross over open up a call to catch up and see what happens from there!
Other service providers that serve the same audience as you:
The online worlds we all run in tend to be very small.
One of the best things that I have done is make great connections with other service providers who are serving the same audience as me. Not only does this make me feel like I’m not alone but also that I am part of a larger network all supporting each other.
This could be copywriters, marketeers, social media agencies, other design agencies. This list goes on!!
Get in touch with people who you really think you could vibe with, share the same values and client base and start to engage with them in a genuine way.
Follow them, chat to them in the DMS, see if there is actually a good fit, say you love their work and mean it, be interested in their content. THEN you can reach out and see if a collaboration could work.
Cross collaborating on email lists, instagram lives, events etc is a great way to leverage other audiences (this goes for some of the categories below)
Business coaches that you could bring value to collaborating with:
What other service providers outside of the creative industry could you connect with?
Coaches, mentors, community leaders - All these people have large networks that could benefit from your insight and expertise and maybe even convert to a sale.
Apply to guest in their programmes, do a workshop for their members etc to get more eyes on your business
Past clients connections on instagram:
Follow all your past clients and see who is in their community. If there is someone that takes your fancy simply ask for an intro!!
If you did a good job for them they will be more than happy to introduce you!
Dream clients:
If you have dream clients that you want to work with turn on their notifications on insta and engage with them!
Get involved in their conversations
Share their work
Reply to their stories
Buy their shit!
Create a connection with them that is genuine and THEN go in for the sale IF it feels like they are in need of what you are offering
I only approach people who I can see either don’t have branding or a website or look like their current one is clearly in need of some work.
Summits, events where your ideal client is hanging out:
Search the internet and find out where your clients are hanging out. This can be online or off line.
If you are a local based business then get into local physical spaces and collaborate with local businesses where your audience may be hanging out.
Make a list of memberships, events, summits, networking groups etc that you can join and then get in and amongst where your clients are hanging out.
I could list more but here are enough to get you started!!
I hope that this was so helpful and please leave a comment below if it resonated or if you tried any of these methods and it worked!!