1649: [Part 2] How to Find Clients for a Service-Focused Side Hustle by Claudia Pennington with Side Hustle Nation

[00:00:00] This is Optimal Work Daily, How to Find Clients for a Service-Focused Side Hustle, Part 2 by Claudia Pennington with SideHustleNation.com. Depending on how much you hustle and the service you offer, it might be a little slow getting started, or you might find you are inundated with requests immediately. I recommend that side hustlers set clear boundaries beforehand. Decide today how many hours you want to work each day or each week before you start looking for clients.

[00:00:29] I used to have trouble saying no, and consequently, I said yes to all of the work that came my way. I worked almost every night and weekend until I was on the verge of burnout. Working too many hours can impact the quality of the work you do for your clients. You want clients to be happy and to stick around for the long haul, so I recommend setting up boundaries before you start pitching. Focus on One Client

[00:00:53] Focusing on one client at the start of your side hustle gives you an opportunity to take a deep dive into your client's business and his or her needs. One client is easier to manage than multiple clients, and you're likely providing better service to one than to many in the limited time you have available. Nick's notes, There's magic in that first client. It's empowering to earn your first job-free income. End note Service-based side hustling is all about relationship building.

[00:01:21] If this is your first side hustle, you're likely super enthusiastic about sharing the news with the world, and you're eager to start making more money. However, with a greater focus on relationship building, your client will continue to work with you and to refer you to others within his or her network. One client might be all you need to launch your side hustle. Client secret sauce Referrals I'll tell you my not-so-secret secret for finding clients. Referrals

[00:01:48] When I'm looking for clients, I start with those small business owners I already know and those I have done work for in the past. For example, my accountant mentioned a desire to increase traffic to his website. As a digital marketing and SEO consultant, I offered assistance with his website, and we agreed to begin a marketing campaign at the end of the spring tax season. By providing my accountant with excellent service, he may refer me to other small business owners.

[00:02:12] As an accountant, he knows that sales and marketing make or break success, so he may refer me to his clients who need help. Nick's Notes And as an accountant, he already works with lots of Claudia's potential clients. She could take it one step further and apply Joshua Lysak's Other People's Audiences strategy by hosting a free workshop for the accountant's clients. End note One of my clients has been with me nearly two years, and she continues to refer me to friends and relatives.

[00:02:40] And it's not just her. Other clients send referrals my way too. Establish one great relationship with a client, and your client may help you create your own referral snowball. Nick's Notes My wife has seen this to be true in her photography side hustle as well. Do great work, and the word begins to spread. We'd much rather do business with a personal recommendation than deal with finding a stranger. End note Growing your side hustle

[00:03:06] If you have the time to try all strategies simultaneously, I say go for it. You could even try cold calling to find clients. See what sticks. I have had greater success starting with those I already know and people actively seeking assistance, But you might be able to use these cold calling scripts from Maddie McLean and find clients just as quickly. When you're ready to grow your side hustle, consider starting with Craigslist and Facebook groups. Looking for clients on Craigslist.

[00:03:34] In 2015, I found a blogger on Craigslist in need of help with her website. Traffic wasn't going the direction she thought it should be, so she posted an ad on Craigslist seeking assistance. After a few months of working together, traffic started trending in the right direction. Revenue increased, and soon I had referrals to other business owners she knew. Craigslist has been great for my side hustle. I'm not the only fan of using Craigslist for side hustling.

[00:03:59] Cassandra Pobla shared her experience using Craigslist to find clients and tips for growing a side hustle quickly. Her experience demonstrates the importance of staying on top of those Craigslist ads. Nick's notes. Craigslist is actually how my wife found her first photography gigs as well, though both she and Cassandra posted an ad for their services. End note. Looking for clients in Facebook groups.

[00:04:24] Facebook groups are great opportunities to connect with other side hustlers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. These groups may or may not help you find clients right away, but with constant participation in and support of the group, you will be recognized. Being a selfless group member can generate new opportunities. Nick's notes. Gabe Arnold shared this hack on a recent podcast episode, and that was to literally search relevant groups for keywords like help or struggling,

[00:04:54] and finding threads where people are asking for help. Chime in and provide as much free support as you can, and ultimately it's the perfect lead-in to something like, well, actually, I run a business that helps companies like yours with that exact problem. End note. Facebook group administrators may post opportunities for you to share your work, so ensure you are respectful and stay with their guidelines for self-promotion. Even if there aren't any opportunities for self-promotion, other group members will see that you are active and helpful.

[00:05:24] I have completed a few projects for a few different clients as a result of meaningful participation in Facebook groups, so I highly recommend diving into a community you have a fondness for or where your ideal client is hanging out. Nick's notes. Grayson Bell is the master of this, becoming known as the go-to guy for website support in a couple groups I'm in. End note. You will be surprised at the relationship-building opportunities you'll find.

[00:05:54] You just listened to part two of the post titled How to Find Clients for a Service-Focused Side Hustle by Claudia Pennington with SideHustleNation.com And thanks again to Claudia and also Nick, who runs SideHustle Nation. Come by SideHustleNation.com for a lot more content and for more information about the authors. You can also check out Nick's podcast, The Side Hustle Show, for more content just like this. Have a great rest of your day and I'll see you back here tomorrow where your optimal life awaits.