Come and See …
Getting more potential clients to discover what you can do for them makes it much easier to grow your business – that’s freelance marketing 101. So, how do you get people to notice you?
Jen Adams here, continuing our list-building discussion this week. We’ve already covered the basics of list building and lead magnets to get names. Today, I’m going to show you how to get more people coming to your website to check out what you have to offer and add themselves to your list.
This additional flow of eyeballs to your personal services page is called “traffic” in the internet world. Unlike traffic on the interstate, more traffic here is a very good thing.
So, where does traffic come from, and how can you get more?
Traffic flows to you and your website from people you get interested in you based on what you’re doing elsewhere on the web.
Often, this means the top traffic sources for your freelance website will be from people who see your name and a link back to your site in places where you’re an active commenter, content sharer, or video maker.
So, you want to be thoughtful about what you’re doing to pull people to you. But more importantly, you want to be active where prospective clients will see you, get curious, and come to check you out.
Here are three things you can do now:
- Join social media groups that are relevant to your niche. Start commenting and sharing good information.
- Find several popular blogs in your niche. Become a regular reader and comment on posts. But don’t just say, “Great post” … offer new insights, answer questions, and participate in the conversation.
- Look for forums dedicated to topics in your niche. Register and start participating in the discussions, being sure to include your website link in your profile and signature. Pay special attention to forums where marketers and decision makers in your niche spend time, as you’ll be more likely to attract new clients in these spaces.
These are all small steps. And today’s action step is to pick one and get started! Share your choice in the comments. Or, read more about how this works to build business for you in Jason Gaspero’s piece, “How to Find, Lure, and Hook ‘Trophy-Sized’ Clients for Your Freelance Business.”
And stay tuned for tomorrow’s message … I’ll show you how to use the list-building steps we’ve been discussing to get more results in other parts of your business life, too.
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As a web developer/designer, I have joined several groups on Facebook and LinkedIn where I can offer assistance from my WordPress knowledge. I need to find blogs and forums but I haven't narrowed down my niche to an "ideal client". So far my clients are mostly women who are trying to establish an Internet business. Not sure where to look.
Tim McMahon – February 28, 2014 at 3:47 pm
Hi Lisa,
In your case, it might help to use the word "and" a bit more. For example, women who are trying to establish an Internet business AND who like helping children learn to read. Here are a few more "and have already published their first book" "and who sell tangible items" "and who are over 50". I bet you know more about what you want for your "ideal client" than you think ... and whether or not these "and" statements resonate with you will help you narrow things down a bit more.
Jen Adams – February 28, 2014 at 4:37 pm
It works very well in segments and areas where freelancing has a meaning to the readers but not so many people in Uganda has picked a glimpse of what freelance writing provide to the people who care to read.Fine!but there is a lot to do any way from you who are experts in this field, in order to bring us who are wishers on board.Pleaseeeeee AWAI help us in your circle.
Guest (Njaleruma Kigozi) – March 1, 2014 at 2:43 am
Hi Njaleruma,
I think even where freelancing is not well known, you can be a pioneer ... or at the very least, still successful. When I worked in South America, truthfully not many of my neighbors understood my work. But, thanks to the ability to get clients from all over the world, my location was irrelevant in my success. So I encourage you - keep taking small steps forward, and you will go from wisher to do-er in short order!
Jen Adams – March 3, 2014 at 11:52 am