Through strategic networking. Yesterday I shared my own story on my LinkedIn profile, I’m just sharing the exact same post below, please read the full answer you will get the idea.
I always share strategies about getting clients without any marketplace or any paid ads. You can also read my other answers though.
The Art of B2B Networking
Well, from May 1 to May 14, in these 14 days, I have already been paid $18,000+ by my clients. Another $10k+ orders is in the process (still unpaid but ongoing projects). I’m also trying to close another project (should be more than $20k). The deal is nearly closed, but we are still discussing it.
Shockingly I never spend a single penny $$ on paid ads or neither I use any kind of cold emails. For the last 3 years I was making more than $100k from my agency, but now this year 2024, it will be at least 3X.
If you now ask me what’s the magic that I could manage to do this kind of business from almost zero.
If you’re still not in that position, then I have some tips for you guys:
1. Strategic networking:
This is the No. 1 formula to get access to the potential world. Nothing is more powerful than your personal network. It’s always, your network is your net worth. Just sending connection requests and friend requests is a useless thing to do. You have to maintain your relationship with your network by providing value. And consistency is the key.
2. Be 100% honest:
I don’t know how to explain this one or what the relationship between honesty and business success is. But just follow these few things and practice them for a lifetime, and you will never regret it:
Don’t trick your customers.
Don’t assume they are fools, even if they don’t understand the technical things you do.
Value relationships over money.
Even if you fire a client, always be helpful to all of them.
Never break a promise.
It creates an emotion, and OMG, that’s extremely powerful and can make you rich.
3. Communication: Try to listen and understand exactly what they’re telling you. Figure out what they haven’t told you as well. If you can do this, then you’ll understand the whole picture. Don’t send a message quickly; first write it and read it yourself to feel how it sounds. Think if you can make it better, then send the best and most positive version of your message. You can’t change any practical reality, but you can change the concept and control the situation if you know better communication. Don’t complain; instead, find the solution and come up with that. It will make them more comfortable with you.
4: Self-discipline: It’s really very important. You have only 24 hours. If you can’t wisely spend your time on the most important things, then you will waste it and can’t scale your business.
I never mentioned “skill” because there are a lot of people who have skills. A skilled employee can be replaced at any time. If you have skills but you’re not honest, don’t know communication, and don’t have your personal network, you will always struggle. Skill is essential in the first stage, but if you want to scale your business, you need it.
