When it comes to finding clients, the keys are to be systematic, but also to cast your net wide. Facebook makes for a great place to cast some of that net—though not all of it. To mix metaphors, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket!
What makes Facebook so great? Well, it’s already a place that billions of people go to seek information, find recommendations, network with others, and get advice and help. And, among those billions of people are plenty of business owners and marketing managers.
Your potential clients are on Facebook, and today we’re going to talk about how to reach them. Be forewarned, though—it’s not quite as easy as you think. In fact, one tactic might even get your Facebook page shut down.
(Ominous, right?)
So, keep reading to learn three tips for finding your next clients on Facebook, along with one warning about what you definitely should not do.
1. Join the right groups.
Think about it: If a group of business owners was standing together talking at a party, you’d want to join that conversation, right? Of course, in real life, it can be a little awkward to insert yourself into a conversation. On Facebook, though, it’s incredibly easy: Join groups where potential clients will be.
This might include groups for business owners, groups for local networking, groups for business gurus’ followers (who, thus, would be business owners), groups for users of software or services that business owners use, groups associated with podcasts or websites that business owners follow…and the list goes on. Dig in and do some research!
Plus, because Facebook can be pretty darn helpful sometimes, it’ll also suggest other similar groups you might be interested in. Join away!
2. Be helpful.
Some groups will let you post promotions about you and your business and some won’t (be sure to check the rules!). But promotions aren’t necessarily the best way to get noticed, anyway.
Instead, look for posts from other people that are related to their messaging, their marketing, or (of course) the copy on their sites or in their emails. Once you start looking, you’ll find a lot of posts from people looking for help from the group. Things like, “My landing page isn’t converting. Can someone take a look and let me know what you think?”
Now, I’m not suggesting a full rundown of everything they could do to improve, but offering up a few tips can go a long way. Not only is it good karma, but there’s a decent chance that the poster will be curious and take a look at your Facebook business page (and, likely, click your portfolio link) after you give great advice.
Oh, and it doesn’t stop there—because not only will the poster see your helpful and insightful advice, everyone else who looks at the comments will, too.
Just comment with something like, “Hi, [NAME], I’m a professional copywriter, so I took a little look. I’d recommend [one or two small changes]. If you’d like to talk more or have any questions, feel free to send me a DM.” With any luck, it’ll begin a conversation. At the very least it’ll get several people checking out your Facebook page and portfolio site.
Aim to make a helpful comment in the groups you’re a part of at least once a day or every other day, and you’ll likely see some nice returns on your time.
3. Follow them and comment on posts.
Once you’ve identified potential clients, like their Facebook pages, follow them, and start commenting on their posts. (You can also do the same on Instagram.)
Don’t go overboard—commenting on every single post will make you look a little obsessive—but posting thoughtful and/or appreciative comments every once in a while will help you build a digital relationship.
Once they see notice you regularly commenting, it’s likely that they’ll take a look at your profile (which will have a link to both your Facebook page and your portfolio site, right??) and they’ll keep you in mind for when they need a copywriter—and maybe even share your info with their other business owner friends.
But be warned.
You know that I strongly recommend reaching out and pitching clients. (But pitching them the way we teach in our course—most people do it poorly. Oof.) However, that pitching should generally be done by email.
It might seem that pitching via Facebook DM is the same thing, but remember that while unsolicited (but friendly and helpful!) emails are commonplace, the same is not true for DMs. Not only can it feel more intrusive…but Facebook also makes it VERY easy for people to mark unsolicited messages as spam.
The end result of that? Facebook could end up taking down your Facebook business page. No good. If you want to DM someone, be sure that you ask for permission to do so.
Used strategically, Facebook can be a great resource for finding clients. Stay focused on being helpful, building relationships, and positioning yourself as a great resource and you’ll find yourself fielding requests for calls in no time.
Your Turn
Are you ready to make Facebook part of your client-finding toolkit? What are your plans for incorporating these tactics? Let me know in the comments below!
Last Updated on October 7, 2023
Hi Nicki!
INTRO: I am in Nicki’s copywriting course. If you want to be a copywriter, JOIN IT! I researched a lot of courses, and her Academy gives you information and value that you will not find anywhere else.
That said, here is my comment:
I got my first copywriting client by ACTIVELY participating in a 5-day Business Branding Challenge on Facebook. I commented on other group member’s homework assignments too. My comments and suggestions were what really caught the attention of my first client. She said I was a “copywriter with heart”.
Since the challenge was limited to 5 days, quite a few people posted EVERY day rather than FORGETTING they had joined a Private Facebook Group for a challenge! That helped build the community and stay top of mind with the active group members.
My first client tells me that she will refer me to others once I complete my email series for her.
I am now in another challenge. I already have some inquiries from potential clients. They DM’d me so I did not have to walk the thin line of “not promoting myself” in a group that had a rule of “No Promotions”.
I do not even have my website and portfolio completed yet!! I am so excited that when I do launch my website I will have some pieces from paying clients.
Hi Susan,
Congratulations!! First, that’s a big accomplishment, so good for you! And that’s also a great story to share for inspiration – there are so many *temporary* Facebook groups for limited-time challenges or events and those are so often geared toward business owners. Great thinking and thanks so much for sharing your insight!
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Love this post, Nikki. Thanks for the helpful tips!
Hi Briana,
I’m so glad you found it helpful! 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Hi! Interesting read and definitely some great advice. I am commenting as my husband has experience with reaching out via DMs- not as a Copywriter but to find business owners to interview on a neighbourhood website, he has had a decent success rate with this. Do you think there is a place for DM reach outs? To be used in conjunction with email reach outs. After all, isn’t that just casting a wider net?
Hi Sam,
Great question. Remember that your husband is reaching out with an offer that will entirely benefit the recipient. He’s basically reaching out and saying, “Hey, can I get you some free publicity?” Very few people are going to be upset with that. And, yes, the way that we teach pitching is to lead with a lot of value, but any “whiff” of a pitch or business come-on may make some people feel like it’s solicitation and mark a message as spam. In the Facebook space, as a general rule for freelancers, the best practice is to ask people if you can DM them. Does that make sense?
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki