How to Find Clients Consistently When Everything Feels Like A Dumpster Fire
Listen to this episode on the Purpose + Profit Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or the podcast player of your choice.
Over the last five years, I’ve worked with hundreds of business owners who struggle to answer this question: How do I find clients consistently? And right now, with the U.S. nearing what looks like a Constitutional crisis, growing economic uncertainty as the current administration imposes tariffs and is taking daily steps to increase unemployment, and growing concerns around business sustainability, this question feels more urgent than ever.
Virtually every entrepreneur I know is experiencing longer sales cycles, more price sensitivity, and a heightened need for differentiation. But despite these challenges, the bulk of client attraction struggles still come down to two things: a lack of a real client attraction system and inconsistent action over time.
I’ve written extensively about how to stand out in a crowded, shifting market. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about having a BOLT™ Idea—one that is Bold, Original, Loud, and Tenacious. Your Big Idea is what makes you unique. It’s your unique perspective or point of view on issues or challenges in your industry and it positions you as the go-to expert. It’s also what ensures that your message resonates powerfully with YOUR audience.
Today, we’re going to dive into what a real client attraction system and consistent action looks like—without requiring you to do more. My aim here is to help you simplify and streamline. We do not have time for burnout, nor can we keep chasing every new tactic. As you read this, you may even find that you’re actually doing too much, too many places.
Let’s dive in.
CAPTIVATE: Getting on the Radar of Right-Fit Clients
Captivate is all about visibility and awareness—getting in front of people who don’t yet know you or your business. With today’s economic uncertainty, people are scrutinizing their investments more than ever, which means standing out is crucial.
Every time you go to a networking event, speak on a stage, appear on a podcast, or collaborate with a peer, you create an opportunity to attract attention and build trust. Right now, buyers are looking for clear expertise, credibility, and alignment with their values.
I can’t reinforce this last piece enough. As the political environment and social discourse continues to fracture, people are voting with their dollars. They are actively seeking people who share their values, and that means part of your work is being exceedingly clear about what those are!
Your job is to cut through the noise and capture their interest by actively addressing a real, urgent problem they need solved. This is where your Big Idea shines. If your message is Bold, Original, Loud, and Tenacious, it will naturally captivate the right audience and compel them to take notice.
I’ll share an example of this from my own business. I spend a lot of time talking about the aspirational nature of impact. I personally find it motivating, as do my clients. But when the environment shifts like it has, you often have to get back to basics. For me and my clients that means: Clarity of message + Radical Visibility + Consistency = Clients, Cash, and Impact. Without those three things, you will not make money. So, think about what that looks like for your clients.
Practical ways to do this in today’s climate: Speaking at industry-specific events where your expertise is most needed, being a guest on podcasts discussing current economic and industry shifts and the impact on your industry, securing PR features on relevant platforms, and networking strategically to connect with decision-makers. If these feel too daunting, showing up on social media, consistently, is a way to potentially help move the needle.
CONNECT: Turning Awareness into Meaningful Engagement
Once you’ve captured attention, you need to invite your audience into a deeper conversation. Given the economic shifts, potential clients may be more hesitant to buy, meaning your relationship-building efforts matter more than ever.
A strong lead magnet—like a report on industry trends and your unique perspective on what it means for your clients, a webinar addressing pressing issues, or a toolkit offering practical solutions—helps you establish credibility while gathering leads. And in today’s world, where people are overwhelmed with content, people don’t want more of the same stuff they have been getting. It needs to be actionable and timely. That also means your call to action must be clear and compelling.
When your lead magnet or invitation is built around your BOLT™ Idea, it does more than just generate leads—it helps people see why your perspective is different and why they should pay attention to you over someone else.
Practical ways to do this: Create timely and relevant lead magnets (e.g., ‘How to Thrive in a Shifting Economy’), host free Q&A sessions, teach high-value masterclasses, and engage with communities where your ideal clients spend time.
One of the ways we do this is through our Social Impact Roundtable, a safe space for female entrepreneurs who are passionate about impact who also need and want to make money while running their businesses. We dive into topics that are relevant and timely, and are rooted in the needs of the larger community. It’s free to join!
CULTIVATE: Building Trust & Nurturing Relationships
With more uncertainty in the air, trust is the currency of sales. People buy from those they know, like, and trust, and I would add those with whom they have shared values. You build and sustain that trust by consistently providing value and insight.
Instead of solely selling, focus on serving and educating. Share useful content, show up with thought leadership, and continue conversations with potential clients. With longer sales cycles, nurturing relationships over time is key.
One of the best ways to do this is to consistently communicate your BOLT™ Idea—through content, stories, and conversations that reinforce your unique position and demonstrate why your voice is needed in your industry.
Practical ways to do this: Publish content that directly addresses your audience’s concerns, send a regular newsletter with insights to your email list or on LinkedIn, and gather people for live discussions or networking.
This is often the unsexy, boring parts of the sales process. This work is rarely flashy, but it’s vitally important. Consistency and clarity of message is the name of the game.
CONVERT: Confidently Inviting Clients to Work With You
Many entrepreneurs hesitate at this stage because they’re afraid of coming off as too salesy, especially when money feels tight for potential clients. But your work solves real problems—and that’s worth investing in.
I have long operated under the belief that each of our businesses offers the cure to someone’s cancer.
While your work may not be medical, it is transformational. You help people solve a critical challenge, one that is having an impact on their life or business, and that has real value. If you don’t make an offer, people won’t get the help they need.
When you position your offer as the natural next step in a transformation, rather than just another expense, clients will see the investment as a no-brainer. Think about how to make your work their next-best step.
Practical ways to do this: Offer flexible ways to engage (e.g., payment plans, phased programs), host decision-making calls, and tailor your messaging to emphasize return on investment and long-term gains over short-term costs.
I’d also add that people don’t buy when WE want them to; they buy when THEY want to. So, think about what they need to know and hear from you when they are at that breaking point… meet them there!
CARE: Delivering an Outstanding Client Experience
Once a client signs on, the real work begins—not just in delivering results, but in ensuring a phenomenal experience. In a market where referrals and repeat business are gold, taking exceptional care of your clients is non-negotiable.
Practical ways to do this: Have a smooth onboarding process, send thoughtful follow-ups, create a community space for clients, and celebrate their wins publicly.
CONSISTENCY: The Non-Negotiable of Client Attraction
A client attraction system only works if you work it—consistently. The biggest mistake I see is entrepreneurs stopping and starting every time a new strategy pops up or when they don’t see immediate results.
Let me be clear: Consistency doesn’t mean constant activity. It means focused, strategic action over time.
When you fully embrace your BOLT™ Idea and let it guide your visibility, messaging, and client attraction efforts, consistency becomes much easier because you’re not chasing trends—you’re leading with clarity and impact.
On average, it takes about 90 days to see real traction, so stick to your plan and refine as you go. Again, these are the boring bits of doing business, but they are absolutely essential if you plan to make money and impact in your business.
What’s Next?
As you evaluate your client attraction system, where do you shine? Where could you improve? Identifying and fixing the gaps will set you up for more predictable, steady client flow—even in uncertain times.
To help, I’ve created a Client Attraction Scorecard. In this quick exercise, you’ll answer a few questions about your activities under each of the five areas above. The results will reveal your strengths and improvement areas.
Download the scorecard here and take focused action to strengthen your system.
As you dig in, if you need support or guidance on how to get clear on your big idea, how to make sure it’s a BOLT™ Idea, or how to increase your visibility in a way that works for you, let’s chat! I would love to help you get your voice, message, and ideas heard!
In a complimentary call, I’ll help you:
Pinpoint the biggest gaps in your client attraction system,
Identify where you can get the biggest improvement in the next 90 days, and
Determine an immediate action step to strengthen your approach.
Your BOLT™ Idea is the key to standing out. Let’s make sure your business thrives, no matter what’s happening in the world. Book your call here.
