How to Get Clients Online Using Strategies That Are Doable

It’s time to talk about something that I see far too many business owners struggle with, time and time again. Trying to get more clients. Especially clients online, because everyone is online these days!

You know your offer is valuable, you’re confident in your work, but the idea of “pitching” makes you start to feel way out of your comfort zone.

I want to shout from the mountain tops that...

being able to get clients online is incredibly simple!

But only if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, trying to get clients online it’s like trying to sell Girl Scout cookies to someone on a strict no-carb diet. It’s not gonna work!

No, you don’t have to be pushy, spammy, or some smooth-talking closer to get clients. Actually I strongly urge you to NOT do that. I believe that you can attract the right people, the kind who want what you’re offering, without sounding like a walking sales funnel.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through exactly how I (and so many others) consistently bring in online clients using strategies that are simple, non-cringey, and most importantly, effective.

I’ll cover:

• How to build a simple but effective digital home base
• Ways to be present online, even if you’re a newbie
• What warm lead systems actually look like (hint: freebies can still work when done right)

Are you ready to learn something new? I sure hope so!

People can’t hire you if they can’t find you. Sounds obvious, right? Yet I’m shocked at how many super talented creatives and service providers I know who post content daily… and still have no clear place for someone to actually book them.

Your online space doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to exist. Think of it as your digital handshake, a place where someone can land, figure out what you do, who you help, and how to work with you in about 10 seconds.

Here’s what your home base should have at minimum:

• A short, clear description of what you offer (skip the jargon, just say what you do)
• Who you help, niche down and be specific
• A simple way to contact or book you (this part is sooo important)

If you have a website, great! A one-page site with solid copy and a booking button is more than enough to get going. Don’t have one yet? I use a platform that gives you access to tons of one-click templates. Anything is better than nothing.

The key is simplicity. If your offer is buried in six dropdown menus or scattered across ten different social bios, you’re losing potential clients. Trust me on this one, I had to learn the hard way.

People online have the attention span of a goldfish. (Ok, that might be an insult to goldfish.) So when someone lands on your page, you want them to get a “yes, please!” or “not for me” within seconds. This saves you both time.

Use short paragraphs and headlines that speak directly to your audience. Add in client testimonials or past results, even if they’re from free work or beta rounds. Visual hierarchy is important too, bold important information, use lot’s of white space, and make sure it’s mobile-friendly.

Also, I recommend using a website builder that has a booking tool incorporated into it. When someone’s ready to work with you, make it ridiculously easy for them to say yes. Same goes for payment. Connect to Stripe, PayPal, or whatever makes the transaction smooth.

Think about it, you can land the perfect client through a Google Doc linked to an Instagram bio. That means you don’t have to wait for the perfect site. Get the bare bones setup and keep improving it as you go.

Social media. Don’t run yet! Please hear me out. Some days, hearing the word “algorithm” makes me want to crawl under my desk. That’s because the elusive algorithm for any given social media platform is always changing. It’s kind of annoying.

I’m here to assure you that you don’t need to go viral to get clients online. You just need to be visible to the right people.

For most service providers, that’s typically:

• Pinterest (ideal for evergreen visibility, yes, it still works!)
• Instagram (great for creatives, coaches, and personal brands)
• LinkedIn (solid for B2B, consultants, and freelancers)
• Facebook Groups (more on that in a sec)

My recommendation is that instead of spreading yourself thin on five or six platforms, pick one or two that your ideal clients are using. (Not the ones where your friends hang out! The ones where decision-makers live.)

No one’s looking for another “I’m now accepting new clients!” post with a boring beige Canva graphic. That certainly doesn’t resonate with me. What works? Content that makes people pause and think...

“This person gets me.”

“Wow, I’ve never heard it explained like that.”

“I really need this in my life.”

Post something that helps your target audience. Some ideas include quick “how to” tips, insights, lessons learned, before/after stories, and sharing client wins (with permission, of course).

You need to ensure that you’re leading with value for your reader, not just how you need to make more money in more business. And yes, throw in some behind-the-scenes and personality. People hire people. Especially online!

Posting daily isn’t the flex, staying in the game without hating your life is. Use tools like:

• Metricool (my personal favorite) to batch and schedule content in bulk
• Content buckets to rotate topics without overthinking
• Templates for reels, carousels, and stories so you’re not reinventing the wheel each time
• You can be strategic and still live your life.

A CTA is a call to action. High-quality photos on your social media are nice an all, but that doesn’t move your audience to take the next step. Which I’m assuming is to (eventually) become a client of yours. Instead of the common CTA, “Click the link to book me now,” try these out...

“DM me the word START and I’ll send you the free checklist”

“Check my link in bio if this sounds like something you need”

“Want help with this? I’ve got space for one more client this month”

See? You’re removing the pressure but still inviting them to take action through an invitation.

Now let’s talk about something that many entrepreneurs gloss over, but can keep your business going, even through rough patches. Your lead system. Do not skip this step!

If you’re relying only on social media to bring in clients, you’re essentially building your business on rented land. One algorithm change or app crash and poof, there goes your visibility.

That’s where email comes in. Don’t roll your eyes, it works!

When done right, a freebie or opt-in isn’t just a “thing you give away.” It’s a tool that gains trust with your audience, positions you as the go-to person for a specific problem, and lets you stay connected indefinitely.

The trick is creating something simple, specific, and helpful. Here’s one of mine if you want to check it out.

A few ideas to consider:

• A checklist for something your clients struggle with
• A short audio guide or video training
• A “plug-and-play” template or script
• A 5-day challenge or mini email series

I don’t want you to go overboard and give away the whole farm. Just solve one micro-problem that makes them say, “Wow, if this is free, I wonder what the paid offer looks like?”

Seriously. Treat your opt-in like your digital handshake. Add it to your Instagram bio, website, Pinterest pins, and email signature. Mention it casually in your posts (“BTW, I have a checklist for this in my bio”). Drop it in group threads (when relevant, don’t be that person).

The more you promote it, the more it works for you behind the scenes.

You got the email, now what? Set up a simple welcome sequence that are like a friendly intro, not a pushy pitch.

Be thinking along these lines:

“Here’s what to expect from me” or,

“Here’s a little more about why I care about this work” or,

“Here’s how I can help if you’re ready for the next step”

Use your emails to connect, not convince. Add in your personality, stories, and again, something that provides value. You’re just continuing the conversation that started when they downloaded your freebie.

Yes, of course you can!

There you have it. The first layer of getting clients online without turning into a walking ad. You’ve got your digital home base set up, you're posting on social without being spammy, and you've got a warm lead system doing its thing behind the scenes.

I'm telling you, that’s already more than most people ever set up!

Getting clients online boils down to being findable, being helpful, and being human. Not exactly earthshattering, but I promise you, it works.

Want to know even more about how to get clients online? Read on for part 2 of my blog series over here.