I first published the blog “The Winning Formula: 10 Steps to Securing My Last 10 Clients” in 2023.
Two years later, it is worth revisiting the idea for a 2025 edition.
As it stands, we’re approaching our business’s 16th anniversary and have a steady stream of repeat business. However, this isn’t our only source of clientele.
Many reasons clients book with us apply to your business sectors and may inspire you to be more active in your marketing.
Arts Organisation – Repeat Booking
I’ve just finished a phone call with this client.
We’ve conducted 8 social media workshops and strategy sessions for the arts organisation.
This upcoming booking will see us deliver 6 more workshops.
I always enter workshops with the mindset that we’re only as good as our last booking.
If even one person from the previous 8 workshops says, “That wasn’t what I expected” or “It wasn’t as good as I hoped,” future bookings could be jeopardised.
Lesson: Always deliver your best, as each job often leads to future bookings.
Education Establishment – LinkedIn Relationship Building
We do extensive work in schools, including a recent intense day delivering 5 back-to-back careers and personal branding workshops for over 100 teenagers.
This opportunity arose because we regularly commented on the marketing director’s posts.
It wasn’t intentional; we weren’t seeking a booking from them.
We simply let serendipity work its magic by engaging genuinely with interesting posts.
I always recommend setting aside a couple of days each week to scroll through your LinkedIn feed and comment on inspiring content. Not every interaction needs to be strategic or aimed at your ideal clients/leads.
Lesson: Engage with posts that interest you, regardless of whether they’re on your target clients’ list.
Yoga Teachers – Recommendations
After 16 years in business, this happens frequently: People looking to enhance their social media presence mention us to friends and local business owners. Our name often comes up in these conversations.
I’ve never quite grown accustomed to being referred to as “Mr Altrincham,” but hearing phrases like “You need to talk to Alex at Altrincham HQ, he’s Mr Altrincham” has opened many doors for us.
When you’ve assisted thousands of people over 16 years, good things naturally follow.
Lesson: Aim to assist others as much as possible, and appreciation will follow.
Family Activity – FB Group and Recommendations
If you’re in Altrincham, chances are you’re a member of the Altrincham Facebook Group, which boasts over 52,000 members.
That’s most of Altrincham’s population, along with surrounding towns like Timperley and Hale.
When a new business launches, they typically join this group to promote themselves weekly.
A new family activity business noticed our presence in the group, and their friends also recommended us.
This sequence of events prompted them to contact us immediately for Facebook and Instagram training.
Lesson: Foster a genuine community that places you at its core. Additionally, actively participate in your local Facebook Group.
Training Company – Tender
We seldom participate in tenders, but we recently made an exception for a client with whom we’ve had a longstanding relationship.
They offered us a new year-long contract.
Why do we avoid tenders? Often, the paperwork is overly lengthy and exhaustive. Once, we encountered a form spanning 78 pages and decided it wasn’t worth our time. We also feel that price should not be the sole determining factor; we prefer to compete on value rather than price alone.
This particular organisation has consistently been fair, so we decided to tender and were awarded the contract.
Lesson: Evaluate the pros and cons of each tender opportunity, but ensure you’re at least on the suppliers’ list.
Law Firm – Repeat Booking
Earlier this year, a client told us, “You need to remind us and be a bit more assertive when it comes to training.”
Although being pushy isn’t my natural inclination, this comment led to future business with the law firm.
They mentioned another department needing our training services, prompting me to follow up immediately.
Introverts often need to advocate for themselves more, or the work might go to less qualified or experienced individuals.
Lesson: Reach out to previous clients with gentle reminders.
Housing Group – LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile can serve as a sales tool even while you sleep, much like your website.
One aspect of which we’re particularly proud is that if someone is serious about improving their social media marketing and visits our LinkedIn profile, they’re likely to get in touch.
Our LinkedIn presence sets us apart from the competition, not just because of what we say but because we have nearly 700 testimonials.
Lesson: Update your LinkedIn profile at least twice a year to showcase your expertise effectively.
Roofing Company – Facebook Group
Yes, that Facebook Group again! In fact, while writing this blog, I made a significant change to the group. I renamed it from “Altrincham” to “Altrincham (Powered by Altrincham HQ)” because not all 52,000 members were aware that we were behind the group. It’s curious how these seemingly obvious details can be overlooked in business.
Lesson: If you don’t manage your own Facebook Group, consider sponsoring one and having it branded with your name (“Powered by XXX”).
Flying School – Google Search
Websites still matter, as do Google Business Pages. Despite our focus on social media, we emphasize this point. Our website receives thousands of clicks from Google each month, even in the age of AI and TikTok searches. Google remains the world’s largest search engine.
Lesson: If you rely solely on social media, consider consulting a web designer or ask us for a recommendation.
Running Events Company – Instagram DM
I don’t send direct messages to every Instagram follower; it can feel overly pushy. However, as someone who runs 1500km annually, I certainly sent a DM to wish luck to a local running event launching in our area. This brief message ultimately led to us providing social media training a few weeks later.
Lesson: Greet new followers you’re genuinely excited about.
NEED HELP WITH SOCIAL MEDIA FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Looking for authentic ways to grow your social media
Chat to us about Social Media Marketing for YOUR organisation , so we can better understand YOU and what will grow your organisation
We can only find out what is unique to your business by chatting with you
Look at our Social Media Training and Social Media Management services
We offer Social Media Training on
* LinkedIn
* Instagram
* Facebook
* Twitter
* TikTok
* Blogging
We can do this
* 121
* Corporate Workshops
* Group Workshops
* Face to Face or Via Zoom
Please call Alex on 07806774279 or email alex@altrinchamhq.co.uk
