Finding new clients has been a real budget killer. This year, I spent a ton on marketing and networking, and it feels never-ending.
I’ve switched gears to prioritize my current clients instead, checking in with them consistently and addressing their needs. Honestly, the ongoing projects are way more reliable than the constant search for new ones.
Good clients are gold. I quit chasing new work months ago. Now I just focus on doing solid work for my existing ones.
They know my quality and pay without drama. New clients always want to haggle or change everything mid-project. My regulars just call when they need something done.
Client retention beats chasing new work every time. Here’s what keeps my clients around:
The math’s simple - keeping one client costs way less than finding three new ones. Current clients already trust you, so less explaining and fewer revisions.
I used to panic about my pipeline drying up. Now I just focus on making current clients never want to leave. They become my best salespeople.
Repeat work pays the bills. Learned this after years chasing new customers and burning cash on ads that barely worked. Now I just show up when I say I will and fix problems fast. Happy clients call you back instead of shopping around. Way cheaper than bidding against ten other guys every job.
Marketing was killing my profits until I cracked this. I started throwing in small freebies for existing clients - quick maintenance checks, reminders about seasonal work they’d need.
Those little extras always became bigger jobs later. Got one client who’s been with me three years now, sends Christmas cards and refers two new people every year. Way better than cold calling.
All that Facebook ad money? Goes straight back in my pocket now.