If you’re staring at your calendar wondering where your next new client is coming from, this episode is for you. We’re talking about creative, non-icky ways to get booked again that go way beyond “post more on Instagram.”
We’ll walk through ideas like:
- Re-engaging past clients with personal VIP check-in emails
- Creating tiny “quick win” offers or pocket projects that are easier to say yes to
- Turning your favorite client win into a mini case study you can share with people who are in a similar season
We’ll also dive into collaborations—things like co-hosted workshops, live trainings, and intentional referral coffee chats that help you tap into new audiences without feeling salesy.
Idea 1: The “VIP Check-In” Email
Go back to past clients and warm leads and check-in with them. If it’s been a while since you’ve worked with them, maybe there’s an opportunity to work with them again on a new project.
This is a personal check-in, not a mass promotion. Make the email very specific and unique to them.
What it could include:
- A quick “how are things going since we worked together?”
- One small suggestion or idea tailored to them.
- An optional next step: a mini audit, a quick call, or a small add-on offer.
This idea to get a new client should feel easy if you’ve already worked with them before and enjoyed the experience.
Idea 2: “Client Glow-Up Case Study” Reach-Out
Turn a past win into a magnet for similar clients. One of the foundations of copywriting is connecting and resonating with your audience. People want to see themselves in other clients you’ve worked with. A case study shows exactly how you helped someone just like them achieve results.
Here’s one we wrote about what it’s like to outsource your SEO.
Follow these steps:
- Pick 1–2 favorite clients you got great results for.
- Create a mini case study (1 page or a carousel).
- Personally share it with 3–5 people who are similar to that client.
Idea 3: Create a “Quick Win” Offer
Create a smaller, lower-commitment offer designed to get people in the door.
Examples:
- 90-minute strategy session.
- Brand/website/SEO audit.
- Voxer day or “pick my brain” day (with boundaries!)
This idea to get new clients has worked for us a lot in the past. It’s an easier “yes” during slower seasons and turns people into long-term clients once they trust you. Think of it as an introduction to your main services.
Here are more examples to get your creative juices flowing!
- Coach/Consultants “Clarity Call: One big decision, one clear plan.”
- Product-Based: “Build-Your-Own Bundle” or “Monthly drop: limited flavors/scents/prints you can grab with one click.”
- Local Service Provider: Easy online booking for a “New Client Intro” session or discounted first-time appointment.
Idea 4: Limited “Pocket Project” Spots
These are a stripped-down, highly specific service designed to solve a specific problem.
Examples:
- Landing Page Glow-Up Week.
- SEO Sprint: 3 pages, 2 weeks.
- Photographers: Content Shoot Sprint. A smaller shoot focused solely on getting 30–40 content images for social media.
- Destination wedding planner: Honeymoon Planning Power Hour, a 60–90-minute session + custom mini itinerary for one destination.
Add scarcity to the offer. Limit it to only 3–5 spots this month with clear start and end dates. This increases conversions and allows you to scale when you finally start booking new clients.
Idea 5: Paid Webinars (Low-Ticket, High-Trust)
A paid webinar is a low-cost, high-value way for people to experience you before committing to a bigger offer.
How to structure it:
- Choose a very specific problem:
- “SEO fixes you can make in one afternoon.”
- “How to raise your prices without ghosting your clients.”
- Price it low, but not free:
- $27-$47 range → enough to attract serious people, not freebie hunters.
- Always include:
- Teaching that creates quick wins.
- A peek at your deeper process.
- A simple upsell: VIP intensive, done-for-you package, template bundle, etc.
We started hosting paid webinars to get people into SEO on Tap and it’s been a fun and successful way to get more students!
Idea 6: Add-Ons for Existing and Past Clients
Don’t forget about the clients you’ve served that already trust you! There could be an opportunity to upsell them on services they might not know you provide!
Here are some types of add-ons you could offer:
- One-time upgrades:
- Extra page designs.
- Additional strategy session.
- Extra revision round.
- Implementation of what you recommended in a strategy call.
- Ongoing support:
- Monthly retainer.
- Quarterly check-ins.
- “Launch support” add-on.
- Maintenance / refresh:
- Annual brand or website refresh.
- Quarterly SEO tune-up.
- Seasonal menu/offer updates.
This is how The Duo Branding Bar was created!
Idea 7: Talk About Your Offers Every Day (Without Feeling Repetitive)
For some reason we as small businesses owners aren’t great at this and it all comes down to feeling like we’re being repetitive or “annoying.”
Here are some examples of HOW we can do that without feeling like a burden.
Rotate how you talk about your offer:
- Story: Share how a client felt before/after working with you.
- Feature: Highlight one specific thing included (like a strategy call or template).
- Benefit: Explain what changes in their life or business after working with you.
- FAQ: Answer one common question or objection.
- Behind-the-scenes: Show a snippet of you working on that offer.
Use different formats:
- IG Stories, Reels, carousels.
- Email P.S. lines: “P.S. Here’s how we can work together right now…”
- Podcast mentions in the intro/outro.
Your Next New Client is Out There!
We know how sucky it feels to be in a slow season. Take it as a blessing—now you have time to refine your offers or marketing strategies.
You can be creative with how you get new clients. Take this time to rest, strategize, and plan. Just know that your next new client is on their way!
FAQs About Finding a New Client
Do I need to update my website or marketing during slow seasons?
Yes! This is the perfect time to optimize your website, update service pages, refresh case studies, and publish new content. Small improvements can set you up for success later on.
How do I know which clients are worth pursuing right now?
Focus on clients who have clear goals, a defined budget, and a sense of urgency. Trust your gut if you come across a red flag client. Don’t bend your boundaries just because you’re desperate for a new client.
What’s the best way to leverage referrals during a slow season?
Reach out to loyal clients with a personalized message. People who already know the value of your work are more likely to refer you when reminded. A warm check-in goes a long way.
Listen to the Episode!
Apple Podcasts | Spotify
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Abbey Oslin and Courtney Petersen are Minnesota-based marketing experts with over 20+ years of combined experience working with big brands. They are educators and co-founders of Duo Collective; a boutique organic marketing agency specializing in SEO, branding, and custom websites for women-led small businesses and creative entrepreneurs.
Ready to grow your visibility and become unforgettable?
Learn more or work with our team here.
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