Life for startup founders is very often challenging. It’s not always clear where they should go to meet prospective clients and what they can do to win business once they start networking and enjoying these sorts of interactions.
Fortunately, this post is here to help. It runs through some of the places individuals like you can go to meet new people and gain traction so you’re not constantly relying on new angel or venture capital investments.
Co-Working Spaces
You could start by using more co-working spaces. These local hubs are great places to meet people and discuss ideas. Plus, they hook you up to a network that attracts freelancers, small business owners, and many other people looking to make progress.
Online Communities
A lower-cost alternative is to join online communities. These provide plenty of opportunities for people looking to find others like them at lower costs.
Online communities on places like Reddit tend to be quite active. These can be a good place to find stakeholders in prospective client companies and engage with them, telling them about what you do and how you can help.
Shows And Events
You could also try shows and events to meet clients and gain more traction. With the cost of pop up displays falling, this tactic has never been more accessible, especially for small businesses.
Shows and events work because they let you build rapport with your customers. You introduce yourself properly and give them confidence that you can actually help them and that if they do decide to spend money on you, it’ll be worth it for them long-term.
Of course, there are expenses involved in going to events. However, most brands can keep them low and use their marketing budget efficiently.
Accelerators
Another place you could go to meet clients is accelerators. These are often hives of buzzing industry, full of younger people who are looking to make their way in the world.
The most popular accelerators are Y Combinator and Techstars. However, there are plenty of others. These give you lots of opportunities to meet new people, make connections, and thrive in your industry.
Networking Events
Networking events could be another option, depending on your industry. These are popular on sites like Meetup and Eventbrite.
When you dig into these, you find that the number of things you could go to is enormous. Therefore, pick the ones that your audience is most likely to attend. Don’t go to any events that sound interesting but won’t help you make any sales.
Partnerships With Complementary Businesses
Some firms can also find more clients through partnerships with complementary firms. For example, you could join forces with a retail chain to sell your coffee drinks.
These arrangements are often the most effective because they impact all parties involved. You get more customers, the partner brand benefits from your services, and clients in their audience begin to notice and recognise you, helping you develop your branding more fully over time in ways that weren’t possible before.