10 Reasons You’re Not Getting Enough Clients

One of the advantages of being a professional freelance web designer is you are free from the 9 to 5 grind, aside from being your own boss. However, after a certain period of time, you might be wondering why you can’t seem to get the breakthrough you’ve been expecting – that is, getting enough quality clients. You have the skills, you know the tricks, you’ve done all the suggestions and advice you can get. Or have you?

This is one of the biggest struggles or dilemma any freelance web designer has. So, what is the real reason behind it?

Let’s look at 10 common but often overlooked reasons why you’re not getting enough clients.

1. You’re not networking

When you have done a good job, your clients will turn into raving fans and become your spokespeople, right? There’s a certain percentage that this can happen. However, you should also consider the possibility that these satisfied clients might keep you to themselves. If this happens, what’s your plan B?

If you don’t go out and market yourself, either online or offline, how can other potential clients know about your existence? It also helps if you collaborate with other web designers. You don’t just gain clients, but you also gain new insights.

2. You’re not consistent

Any marketing campaign becomes successful when it’s consistent. A good initial conversation with potential clients is meaningless, if you don’t follow up.

Many opportunities are lost because professionals lack consistent follow-up in their network. You can build consistency and therefore get enough clients by constantly creating positive conversations through email, social media or offline.

3. You have nothing unique to offer to potential client

In the world of freelancing, it has always been a race to the bottom. Whoever offers the cheapest price wins the project. Why? Because everybody offers the same service and skills. Some can even do it faster than you do.

So, unless you stand out and have something unique to offer, you won’t turn your customers into raving fans and get the referrals you want.

4. You have nothing valuable to offer

Something becomes valuable, if it is desirable. You add value, not just by offering something unique and excellent, but also by building relationships with your client.

Everyone wants to know that somebody cares for them, especially when they least expect it. Your clients feel the same way. A small “thank you” note or a message asking them how they are makes a lot of difference.

5. You have a weak online presence

It’s a fact that when a potential client is looking for someone to design their website, they will ask for referrals. However, it doesn’t stop there. They will definitely check out each of those referrals’ profiles online for a background check. If you forgot to keep your online profile up-to-date, you might lose potential clients because of that.

6. You haven’t identified the specific client you want

What kind of people are your dream clients? Does your website or profile has a message that deliberately convey that to the clients you want to attract or are you still trying to be the jack-of-all-trades?

The message on your profile or your website is a powerful tool to educate people about the type of clients you are looking for.

7. You’re looking in the wrong places

Networking is a good way to build your influence. However, if you are looking in the wrong places, you are also wasting your time. It means, that instead of networking at general-type events, it pays more to network at events within the web design industry, in order to find the right clients.

8. You have stopped upgrading yourself

You are only as good as the last project you had. New technologies, tools and strategies are being developed regularly. If you don’t take the time to keep yourself in step with these new technologies, trends and tools, you are driving yourself to extinction.

Take time to learn and upgrade yourself, so you can add more value to yourself.

9. You are using the wrong marketing tactics

Are the techniques and strategies to reach potential clients the most effective ones available to you? Are they the most appropriate for your target market? Do they match the skills and expertise you have?

Use these questions to assess your techniques and strategies. If they do not work, it’s time to change them.

10. You appear desperate

You need clients but you don’t have to show how desperate you are to have one. Potential clients can sense if you are overly desperate about getting the project. Desperation can either attract the wrong clients who will abuse that desperation or drive them away because of distrust why you have no clients.

Instead, be confident and be natural when talking to potential clients. Show them your expertise confidently.

Sadly, that’s not all of it

And it cannot be stressed, that a list of 10 reasons cannot help you get more clients overnight. It takes constant practice, sacrifice and investment to build a steady flow of clientelle. You can learn much more through building your knowledge and really putting money where value is provided.

Getting clients and keeping them for the long term is difficult. What you say and do not say will greatly affect how you attract potential clients. However, once you know what’s stopping you, you can change strategies and fix mistakes you have been making.

SOURCE: 1stWebDesigner