Help getting first clients....

[CompassImmi]

Hi all,

First time posting here, I'll try to keep it concise!

I have over 10 years experience in my field of work, Immigration Law, however I have now decided to start a new business on my own, so the company itself isn't established or a "known name" within the industry. I'm only able to do limited work at the moment whilst registration processes etc go through, but I am able to do work for businesses who want to employ overseas workers etc.

Which leads me onto my question - I can see a way of getting private clients, social media etc is fantastic for that, but I'm struggling to get business clients, social media doesn't seem the right way to go for this.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can market this area of the business?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Welcome.

social media etc is fantastic for that,

Is it? Do not fall into the trap that too many people do, thinking business will flood in after a few posts.

• Networking
• Previous clients
• Recomendations
• Website
• SEO
• Advertising
• Testimonials
• Flyers/posters in libraries, supermarkets etc

 

[fisicx]

@CompassImmi - exactly what service are you providing and to whom?

Are you targeting people already in the UK or those wanting to come to the UK?

How do clients normally find services such as yours?

 

[CompassImmi]

Welcome.


Is it? Do not fall into the trap that too many people do, thinking business will flood in after a few posts.

• Networking
• Previous clients
• Recomendations
• Website
• SEO
• Advertising
• Testimonials
• Flyers/posters in libraries, supermarkets etc

Hi Paul

Thanks for this. That’s helpful.

For the private side of things I have a large network of clients, previous clients, word of mouth etc but that’s not something I can do for another few months. At the moment my work has to focus on business and corporate clients, which is where I’m struggling.

The website and seo side I think I’m alright with.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

At the moment my work has to focus on business and corporate clients, which is where I’m struggling

Who is your target client? Large corporates (who probably already have council), medium businesses, small businesses? What sector/s?

WHen you wrote your business plan, what did you identify as routes to market?

 

[Paul Carmen]

The website and seo side I think I’m alright with.

If the website and SEO side was alright, then you'd have your target clients!

The whole point of a website in any industry that requires real lead generation or B2B sales, is to rank for the things your potential customers search for, via local or national SEO, then generate leads from those rankings. If you haven't achieved that, your website isn't alright.

The other option is to target these customers searches tightly via PPC search, or local area listings. Again, to do this well you need high quality landing pages, and lead processes that convert visitors into leads.

The above areas, and any other places your potential business customers look, should form the basis of your research and marketing plans.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Is your website multi language?

 

[fantheflames]

Welcome @CompassImmi

Corporate clients are less likely to respond to passive marketing, because they need need relevance, credibility, and a reason to trust you. Social media can help with visibility but it won't build trust on its own. As you said, you're new and unknown to them.

Try approaching HR departments or operations managers directly on LinkedIn with value-led messaging about sponsor licences or compliance gaps they might be missing. Or something else that's more relevant to your audience/ business.

Your website and SEO can still support that, much better for a long run, but you’ll get further by showing up where your audience already is and speaking their language.

 

[Sa_muel]

I’d start by setting up a LinkedIn page. You can post about your area of expertise or even share short videos. It’s also a great place to connect with companies that could turn into clients.

 

[CompassImmi]

@Paul Kelly ICHYB Thanks for your reply - target market is small / medium businesses who have "skilled" roles. The website is multi-language. My business plan focused mainly on obtaining private clients, as that is where I see the majority of my work coming from, but I'm not yet able to provide these services so I'm looking at the corporate route in the mean time.

@Paul Carmen @fantheflames @Sa_muel Thanks for your feedback and ideas, that is really useful and definitely gives me some avenues to explore.