I’ve tried just about every marketing method out there — Alignable, Nextdoor, Facebook groups, email newsletters, my website, blogging, Google Business updates, even old-school flyers and pop-up coffee events.
But here’s the truth: I’ve rarely measured what’s actually working.
I don’t always ask new clients “How did you hear about me?” I don’t regularly track which channels produce results. And I don’t consistently review analytics to see which posts get the most engagement.
Recently, I was teaching a class and decided to ask the group how they’d found out about it. One person mentioned LinkedIn. No one had seen my multiple Facebook posts in their area. Surprisingly, most had heard through word-of-mouth.
That’s when it hit me:
My best source of new business has always been referrals — and yet, I’ve never had a clear strategy for encouraging them.
The Referral Gap
Here’s the catch — referrals only work if people know what you do.
I once had a casual conversation with someone I’d known for years. We’d talked many times, but I had never mentioned that I build websites. When I finally brought it up, they were shocked…”How did I not know that?” … and ended up hiring me. If that topic hadn’t come up, that job would have gone to someone else.
The reverse has happened, too. I learned that a friend I’d known for ages was a life coach offering online leadership classes. They’d been doing it for eight years — and I had no idea. The picture of kids on facebook and family photo’s never pointed this out. They seemed almost offended. Honestly I didn’t know, but the truth was, they had never told me.
Be Clear. Be Consistent. Be Askable.
You don’t have to turn every conversation into a sales pitch. But your key contacts — friends, clients, peers, and community connections — should have a crystal-clear picture of:
- What you do
- Who you help
- That you are taking new clients
If you don’t tell them, how can they think of you when someone in their circle needs exactly what you offer?
The best marketing is often the simplest — making sure the right people know exactly how to send opportunities your way.
Thanks for Reading!
Even if you’re not a subscriber (yet), I truly hope today’s post gave you something useful to think about or apply in your business.
I’m building my own business too, and I’m currently taking on new clients—so if you know someone who could use support with [insert your main service, e.g., website development, business coaching], I’d be grateful for the referral.
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And if you have thoughts, questions, or feedback—I’d love to hear from you. Just drop me a note at misty@webfootmarketing.net
Let’s keep building,