How to Get Paid Work When Your Location-Based Business is Brand New or Slow (No Sales Calls or Ads)

Do you have 60 seconds to grow your business?

Today, let’s dive into a really easy way to get paid work when your service or location-based business is brand new, or if you’re just in a slow season and want more work. It’s also a great way to level up by connecting with others in your industry!

Maybe you’ve tried doing ads, posting on social media, directory listings, etc., and either it’s not getting you sales, or you’re competing with a dozen other people on cost – which is never ideal. 

No one wants to be a commodity! 

Today, let’s try something new. 

I have personally done this in my business, and it was a great growing and learning experience. I was surprised to find that it also lead to paid projects… a LOT of work, in fact. Many of the connections I made during that time ended up being amazing clients that I still serve. 

The great thing is, this method doesn’t require “sales” (though scaling and bringing in your own work will inevitably require sales effort), and while the jobs you may get might be smaller than you want, or might not be the “perfect” fit, it will get you working and getting paid, all while gaining valuable experiences, advice, and connections. 

Get Started

Ready to do this? 

First thing first: Don’t overthink it. 

Take a couple of minutes to write down the names of businesses you look up to in your local industry, and people you would love to learn from and partner with who have similar clients to those you’d like to serve. 

Next, connect with them on LinkedIn, or email them if you can’t find them online, and simply and genuinely ask for advice. 

Most importantly, do not ask for clients. This is spammy and shut them down. 

The goal of reaching out is to sit down for coffee, or get on a video call so you can build a “face to face” connection with people who are a step ahead of you. Guess who they’re going to think of when they’re too busy, need a sub, or have a smaller job to refer? You! 

While you meet with them, show them what you’re passionate about and the quality of work that you do, but make sure this meeting is more about THEM than you. 

Ask about how they built their team. 

Ask for suggestions for getting XYZ type of client. 

What shifts/trends they’re seeing in the industry. 

Et cetera… 

At the end of the meeting, ask them if they know of anyone else you should meet who could help you get started or grow your business. 

Learn and grow. And I promise you if you are genuinely interested in learning from them, and you can present yourself professionally, they will remember you. 

The Importance of Follow-Up

After you meet with them, set a reminder in your phone to reach out again in a few weeks and see how they are doing. Consider asking about a specific project they were working on, or other note from your meeting. Be sure to also send them a handwritten thank you card – or at the VERY least a text message. Handwritten thank yous are few and far between in the digital age and will help them remember you. 

Keep the connection going. 

And keep adding new connections. 

Why Does It Work?

I work with business owners on their sales funnels and marketing through their websites. Many of the larger businesses I’m working with are refining their offer – the kind of work that they like to do and that pays really well… So a company that is well-known may get requests from a wide range of customers, but they may only be interested in serving those who have specific kinds of needs. 

For example, a custom home builder may only have time to work on $100k+ renovations or full builds, but may frequently get requests for $30k remodels. Having trusted partners that they can refer work to is a benefit to everyone. 

I have found that many business owners are honored to discuss their company and love sharing their knowledge. I hope you find the same, and enjoy making connections over the coming weeks! 

Leave me a comment to let me know what you did, and how it went! Remember… it all starts with a 60-second commitment: Write down names, connect, and meet.