Free PDF: How to build your dream coaching business that frees you from the 9-5

Who are Your Dream Clients? (+How to Attract Them)

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Finding and working with your dream client can feel exactly like that…a dream!

But working with your dream client is possible – you just have to know who they are, where to find them, and how to attract them. 

If you’re ready to find yours, you’re in the right place. Today, I’ll help you find them in five simple steps.

Let’s go!

Biggest takeaways: 

✅ Your dream clients are an avatar of people who you love working with. 

✅ The best way to identify your dream clients and where to find them is by analyzing your existing clients, as well as doing market research with potential clients and researching your competitors

Offer value and build strong relationships to attract your dream clients. 

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What is a dream client? 

A dream client is the kind of client you click with because, from the word go, they just get you (and you them). 

Not only do they share your core values and vision, but they’re also incredibly respectful and great to work with.

Your dream client also understands the power of investing in themselves and knows they’re doing exactly that by purchasing your service or product.

In other words, a dream client can’t just afford to pay you – they’re ready to pay you! 

But at the end of the day, it boils down to this:

Working with your dream client feels like being on the same team.

 Luisa Zhou quote dream clients

Still, you might wonder what qualities make up a soulmate client and what you should look for.

Remember, your dream client is exactly that – yours. So, your characteristics might be different from mine! 

But overall, a dream client is the following:

  • A perfect fit
  • Collaborative and great to work with
  • Trusting and loyal
  • A reliable payer
  • Interesting, whether they’re industry leaders or just have exciting goals
  • A great communicator
  • Open to feedback
  • Dedicated to their success
List of dream client characteristics

It’s also important to remember your dream client is different from your ideal client. I’ll explain what I mean in the next section, so keep reading!

What is the difference between ideal clients and dream clients? 

Ideal clients and dream clients have quite a few differences.

Table that compares the ideal client to the dream client

Mainly, a dream client is aspirational. In other words, they’re perfect, which is what makes them so dream-like.

On the other hand, an ideal client is realistic. They represent the clients you already have and can continue to work with.

Both your ideal and dream clients are important for your business but for different reasons.

You know your ideal client and their characteristics, demographics, and pain points. 

Because of this, they’re the basis of your marketing strategy. Tailoring your message to them lets you create a steady flow of business and increase revenue.

But your dream client serves as motivation to elevate your skills, expand your reach, build new relationships, and eventually scale your business.

Now that you know exactly what a dream client is (and their differences from an ideal client), it’s time to think about how to get them. I’ll tell you exactly what to do in the next section!

How do you find your dream clients in 5 easy steps? 

A dream client is less attainable than an ideal client but not out of reach. You just need to do five things, starting with defining your vision. 

1. Define your vision 

Before doing anything else, know your vision.

Your vision speaks to what you want to achieve in the future and attracts your dream client by showing that you have a shared goal.

For example, here’s my own vision – that anyone can build an incredible business.

LuisaZhou.com about page

The best way to define it is to figure out exactly what you want in a dream client and project.

So think about the following:

  • What industry does your dream client work in? 
  • What do they need help with? 
  • How can you help?

Then, consider what qualities or skills you’re looking for in a dream client. Start with things like great communication skills and reliability.

But remember, the more specific, the better. 

Dig deep – what goals do they want to achieve? What is it like working with them? How do they communicate? 

Quick recap: 

💡Understand your vision to make sure it aligns with your dream clients. Who are they? What resonates with them? 

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2. Conduct market research

Once you’ve come up with your vision, you have to make sure there’s actually a market when it comes to your dream client.

And that means conducting two types of research: Market and competitor.

Start with your dream client.

There are plenty of ways to conduct market research on them, like online research and interviewing.

And to find people to interview, ask people in social groups. 

That’s how my student, Ruby, landed her first client. She asked people in Reddit groups to sign up for a quick client call.

They did…And one of them wanted to work with her. 

Screenshot of Good gentleman website

You can post a clear and quick post saying something like: 

“Hi! I’m starting a business [include a bit about your business] and I’m looking to do a bit of market research? Would you want to do a quick 20-minute call? In exchange, I’m happy to gift you a 20-minute coaching/consulting call [include something about the call].”

As you do that research, build a dream client portfolio: Who they are, what problems they have, what they need, and how you can help.

Once you’ve figured that out, it’s time to think about what’s already available. In other words, who’s your competition? While figuring this out, make sure to take note of all of them

Figure out their market position and study their marketing strategy. 

What are they doing well? Do they have advantages you don’t? What about their weaknesses?

I know this kind of research is a tall order, but the truth is, it’s crucial to finding your dream client and being successful.

In fact, 35% of companies fail in some capacity because they don’t do their research – even the biggest ones, like Kodak and Home Depot. Don’t be one of them.

Graph with the number of businesses that fail without doing market research

You can hear more about the importance of conducting market research in this video:

Quick recap: 

💡Understand exactly who your dream client is by doing market research calls and researching your competitors.

3. Analyze your data

The best place to start your search for your dream client?

The clients you already have.

When you analyze your existing client data, you’ll get valuable insights into exactly where your business stands and what’s working.

List of 3 ways to analyze business data

There are a couple of ways you can conduct this research.

First, look at your existing sales calls and sales. (Important: You need to have a document where you gather these insights to be able to do this research. If you don’t already have one, create one now!)

If a dream client bought from you, what were their reasons for doing so? Where did they come from?

Next, look at the channels you use. Where do you most often come across people who match your dream client profile? 

And last, you can use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to understand where your website traffic is coming from. 

When you do all of these things, you can paint an even clearer picture of your dream client.

For example, I can analyze my own analytics to see what resonates with dream clients.

I have content on coaching business. And because I help people start their own coaching businesses on the side of their day job, I know that type of content (especially content that helps people start their own businesses) is what my dream clients are looking for. 

Screenshot of Google Search Console overview

Quick recap: 

💡Analyze the data you have to get an even more accurate picture of who your dream client is. 

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4. Focus on offering value 

I know how easy it is to be afraid you’re giving away too much of your knowledge for free when you share it online, but I want you to remember two things.

One, you’ll never be able to share everything you know online for free – you know too much!

And two, your dream clients aren’t looking for free information so they can do it all on their own – they’re looking for someone to hire.

So keep giving away that knowledge because it demonstrates the value you can and do offer.

And the more you give to your dream client, the more they’ll respect you, and the more likely they’ll be to work (or continue working) with you.

Screenshot of Luisa Zhou’s YouTube channel
For example, take a look at my YouTube channel. I share a lot on that channel. But I know my dream clients aren’t looking for freebies – they want to invest in the right program.

Hear more in this video:

Quick recap: 

💡Share a lot of value with your audience. You most likely won’t be giving away too much. Instead, your dream clients will like and trust you more. 

5. Build personal relationships and a network

Many entrepreneurs assume that a well-written email or beautiful website will get the attention of their dream client.

But that’s not true.

Instead, selling to your dream client is about letting people get to know you, establishing trust, and building relationships. 

In fact, 70% of customers say that being known personally is a sign of a strong relationship.

List of the 5 best ways to build client relationships

One of the best ways to build relationships is  to use email marketing and build an email list.

Another is to respond to your audience, whether on social media or over email.

Livestreaming is a third great option. It helps start the conversation with your dream client and allows them to decide if you’re right for them.

When I was just starting out, I hosted weekly livestreams and got several private coaching clients from them!

Screenshot of Luisa Zhou Facebook Live
One of my earliest Facebook Live sessions

Finally, offer a preview of what it would be like to work with you.

For example, I offered dozens of free 30-minute sessions to potential clients. 

In that time, I was able to demonstrate my skills and show them what we could accomplish without putting any pressure on them to buy from me. 

And that’s what got me my first five clients.

Most importantly, remember to be yourself and dedicate time to showing up

Quick recap: 

💡Focus on building strong relationships with your network and your online audience. People are much more likely to invest if they know and trust you. 

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I learned while building a $10 Million+ business? (It's Free)

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Next steps

There you have it,  a full guide to identifying your dream client and how to find them in five simple steps. 

But figuring out and working with your dream client is only one part of building a successful business.

I know because I built a multiple-six-figure business from the ground up while working a full-time job. And I’ve helped hundreds of other entrepreneurs do the same thing.

If only there was a step-by-step guide you could follow to do it yourself. Oh, wait…there is!

I’ve put together such a guide outlining each and every step I took to build my business and leave behind my 9-5 forever. And I’m giving it away for FREE. 

Read more:

How to Start a Dream Business

How to Turn a Side Hustle into a Business

The Best Low-Risk, High-Profit Business Ideas to Start

How to Start a Profitable Service Business with No Experience

Top Benefits of Owning a Small Business

About Luisa Zhou

Luisa Zhou has helped thousands of students build and scale their own profitable online Freedom Business. Fun Fact: She used to work as an engineer for the Space Station and holds a B.S.E. from Princeton. Click here to learn more about Luisa.

Hope you enjoy this blog post.

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