Fix these 3 'Client-Getting' mistakes you're making
And do your sock laundry.
Client-getting.
It’s the part of solopreneur-ing no one talks about. You’re great at your thing… design, writing, coaching, whatever.
But if you can’t land clients on a regular basis, your business doesn’t grow.
Most solopreneurs and freelancers keep making this same mistake. The one that keeps them stuck in a feast-or-famine cycle we all know so well.
You’ll be happy to hear it’s totally fixable.
My 'Invisible Expert' Phase
Back in 2018 I was stuck in what I call the "Invisible Expert" phase.
I knew I was good at buyer journeys and conversions. I had the skills, the past clients portfolio, and definitely the hustle. But did anyone seem to notice?
What if you didn’t have to chase clients anymore? Stay tuned—I’ve got something coming that will change the way you work.
No matter how much I posted on socials, networked online, or revamped one of my profiles, it felt like I was shouting into the void.
Clients weren’t reaching out. My inbox was empty.
At first, I blamed the platforms. Maybe LinkedIn wasn’t the right place. Maybe I wasn’t active enough on Upwork. Maybe I needed to run ads on Facebook.
So I doubled down and spread myself thin across every platform I could think of, constantly tweaking profiles, applying to projects and firing off pitches.
The same results though. Nada.
It was frustrating, exhausting, and honestly, it shook my confidence a little. I started questioning if I’d made the right choice staying solo.
That's when it hit me that the problem wasn’t where I was looking for clients. The problem was how I was presenting myself.
I was treating client-getting like a numbers game.
Post more, pitch more, and eventually, something would stick. But, I needed to focus on the foundation. I needed a clear, irresistible offer that made clients want to work with me.
That realization changed everything. And it can for you too.
It’s how I went from scrambling to pitch anyone and everyone to clients coming to me. And I didn’t have to shout into the void anymore.
If you’re not sure where your next client is coming from, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Here’s the 3 biggest, most common mistakes solopreneurs make in getting clients (and how to fix em).
Mistake #1: Offering Too Much Variety
Remember my restaurant analogy... the one with a 15-page menu filled with 200 mediocre things? Lasagna, sushi, tacos… everything under the sun.
How good do you think any of it is?
It’s how potential clients feel when they look at your long list of services.
When you offer everything, you confuse them. And confused clients don’t buy.
Do this instead: Simplify. Choose one service you excel at. Package it into a clear offer. Focus on solving a specific problem.
Instead of saying, "I do graphic design, social media management, and email marketing," say, "I write high-converting emails for online businesses."”
The difference lies in... One of these sounds like an expert. The other sounds like confused about what they really do.
Mistake #2: Treating 'Client-Getting' Like Sock Laundry
That feeling when you’re wearing your last pair of clean socks.
The one where you know laundry is due soon. Unless you do it, you'll have to choose how clean to be.
Wouldn't it be nice to stop pulling socks from weird corners of your room? Wondering if they've been worn, and for how long. Should you try to stretch another day out of them?
It’s stressful. It’s unnecessary. And it’s entirely avoidable if you had a simple system for keeping up with the laundry to begin with.
A system where a little bit at a time goes a long way.
Client-getting works the same.
Too many solos only focus on it when they’re in panic mode. They'll finish a project with nothing lined up. So you frantically (and without any clear strategy at all) scroll job boards, post on LinkedIn, or buy Upwork connects.
It’s exhausting. And it doesn’t have to be this way.
Do this instead: Build a system. Client-getting shouldn’t be an emergency. It should be a repeatable system that runs whether you’re busy or not.
A repeatable system. It lets you focus on your sweet spot. No more stress about what comes next. Bonus: your socks and your sanity stay clean.
Mistake #3: Focusing on Where to Find Clients Instead of How to Attract Them
Jumping between platforms to get clients is like fishing with no bait.
At the water's edge, you scratch your head. You think, "maybe I should try that other lake," or "what if I moved to a different spot on the river?"”
Without the right bait, it doesn’t matter where you cast your line. You’re not catching anything at any of them.
“I’m not getting clients on Upwork. Should I try Fiverr? What about LinkedIn?”
It’s not about where you fish. It’s about what you’re offering.
Do this instead: Focus on attraction. Once you get the hang of it, it's so much easier than baitless fishing.
So, stop worrying about which "lake" (or platform) you're on. Instead, think about what your "fishies" (clients) want.
A clear and compelling offer is the best bait. It works anywhere: LinkedIn, Upwork, Facebook, or even in person.
Once you’ve got that dialed in, the clients will come to you, no matter where you’re fishing.
You Should Know...
Client-getting doesn’t have to feel like a rollercoaster.
Once you fix these mistakes, you get clarity, focus, and a system that works. Then you can start attracting clients instead of chasing them.
You're providing real clarity here on where to focus effectively on client-getting! Thanks, Patrick!
Thanks for sharing Patrick. I have been applying some of these tips even as a data analyst and I hope to see good results soon.