21 Proven Ways to Get Consulting Clients Online (Fast)

Struggling to find consulting clients?

Then you’ve come to the right place!

Today, I’ll share the 21 most effective strategies to get consulting clients the right way.

So that you can run a profitable consultancy business that offers you freedom and flexibility.

Ready to get started?

Let’s dive in!

Key takeaways:

• The trick to landing consulting clients is to figure out where they hang out and join them there.
• Instead of trying to close a quick sale, lead with value and aim to build relationships.
• Tapping into your network is one of the easiest ways to get consulting clients fast.
• SEO and email marketing are your best options for scaling your business in the long run.

How to get consulting clients

Knowing how to get consulting clients is a HUGE part of running a successful consulting business.

To help you master this skill, I’ve broken the process down into six key steps.

Let’s go over each one together.

Find your niche

Step one is finding your consulting niche.

A niche is a specialized but profitable market segment.

Many new entrepreneurs overlook this strategy because they try to be everything to everyone.

But from my experience, going niche is much more effective. You’ll:

• Stand out as the expert among generalists
• Get deep insights into your clients’ specific needs
• Reach your target audience more effectively
• Offer targeted solutions, which means you can charge premium prices

Finding your niche isn’t super complicated. It all comes down to:

WHO you want to help with WHAT.

For instance, I help busy entrepreneurs (my WHO) create thriving freedom businesses so they can leave their 9-5 for good (my WHAT).

Not sure what your niche is? Then this video is for you:

Finding your niche is a great start. But to reach the right people, you also need to know who your ideal clients are.

So let’s tackle that next.

Define your ideal client

Your ideal clients aren’t just anyone — they’re the perfect fit for what you offer.

To reach them, you need to understand them on a deep level.

That’s where market research comes in.

And no, reading on its own won’t be enough…

That’s because your goal is to get into the minds of your ideal clients.

To do this, you actually need to talk to them.

That’s how you discover what they’re really looking for.

In turn, you can design your offer so it becomes a necessity to them — not just a luxury.

📘 I talk more about identifying your ideal clients in this article.

Once you’ve figured out who your dream clients are, it’s time to market your services to them.

Market your services

When you first start marketing, focus on only one strategy.

You’ll want to master that before adding others.

This approach is less overwhelming and lets you target your efforts.

For instance, when I started, I dove deep into specific Facebook groups.

Why?

Well, I had done my market research and knew that’s where my target audience was hanging out.

This focused approach helped me land my first clients without spreading myself too thin.

That said, after selling my first $5,000 coaching package, I realized I had to do more than simply be active in those groups…

You see, like you, I started from scratch.

At the time, no one knew who I was. So, I had to build trust.

After hearing I was “too expensive” several times, I realized I needed a quick way to prove the value of my services.

That’s when I introduced what I call the Taster Technique.

Here’s how it works:

Offer potential clients a sample of your services. This could be:

• A free 15-20-minute consulting call
• A paid trial
• Three free suggestions or tips

The idea is to give them a taste of what you can do.

At the end of the session, ask:

“Would you like to talk more about how we can work together?”

Because they’ve now seen what you could do for them, many will say yes.

And that’s your cue to transition into a sales call. (But more on that in a bit…)

📘 I outline how to market yourself in this article.

With your marketing strategy in place, let’s move on to crafting a winning proposal that seals the deal.

Draft a winning proposal

Your proposal is your chance to show exactly how you’d solve a potential client’s challenges.

In other words: It’s not just a detailed plan of action, but also a powerful marketing tool.

Here’s what to include in your proposal:

• Cover page: List your company’s name, the client’s name, the project title, and the date.
• Executive summary: Sum the entire project up on one page. Highlight the client’s main issues and how you’ll solve them.
• Project outline/scope of work: Outline what you’ll do for the proposed fee. This helps you avoid the dreaded scope creep.
• Timeline: State when the project will start and end, and define any milestones.
• Fees, billing, and payment terms: List your fees, due dates, accepted payment methods, and payment terms.
• Client requirements: What do you need from your client to keep the project flowing smoothly? This could be specific documents or data, timely feedback, and so on.
• Expiration date: Make sure your current offer has an expiration date — because in a few months, you might be fully booked or have raised your rates.

You can use a proposal template like these ones by Canva. 

Got your proposal ready?

Then it’s time for the next step: Your sales call.

Win sales calls

I know sales calls (aka discovery calls) can feel nerve-wracking at first.

But here’s my advice:

Flip the script!

Don’t see a sales call as you trying to sell or convince.

Instead, see it for what it really is:

The perfect opportunity to check if your offer lines up with what your potential client needs.

Put simply, it’s not about selling at all costs but about seeing if there’s a good match.

Here’s how to streamline your sales call effectively:

1. Understand where your client is coming from: I start my calls by asking: “What had you reaching out to me?” By diving deeper into your client’s goals and challenges, you see how your offer fits into the bigger picture.
2. Establish expectations: Next, get clear on what they want to achieve — and whether you can deliver that. If their goals seem out of reach, it’s your job to set realistic expectations.
3. Share your offer: Many new consultants make the mistake of focusing on features like templates and the number of calls. But those are simply tools that help you deliver your service. Your real offer is the transformation your clients will experience by working with you. So, put the focus on that.

Feeling unsure about sales calls? Then this video is for you:

Approaching sales calls in this way also has another benefit:

It becomes much easier to weed out bad matches…

Identify the right clients

Most experienced entrepreneurs recognize difficult clients before they even start working with them.

But if you’re new to this, here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Too price-focused: You want clients to recognize your price as an investment in their own success. But, unfortunately, some focus more on the cost than the value they’ll receive. What to say: “I understand the importance of budgeting, but I wonder if you’re maybe overlooking the long-term value and return on investment?”
• Unrealistic expectations: Ambitious goals are exciting — but they’re only useful if they’re also realistic. Otherwise, they set your client up for disappointment. For example, tripling revenue is possible, but expecting it to happen in two weeks isn’t realistic. What to say: “I admire your ambition, but achieving these results will take time. Let’s outline a realistic timeline and set achievable milestones so we can track our progress.”
• Micromanagement and bad communication: These types of clients drain your resources and block their own success. What to say: “I appreciate detailed feedback, but I also need some autonomy to deliver the best results,” or “Let’s put together a regular communication schedule to make sure we’re both aligned and informed.”

The goal here isn’t to convince clients to keep working with you no matter what.

Rather, it’s to offer a different perspective to help them achieve results.

For more on handling difficult clients, take a look at this video:

You now know how to get consulting clients.

But what are the best methods? Keep reading to find out.

💡 Tip: We’ll look at 21 strategies to land consulting clients, but the best approach is to focus on mastering one at a time. Get really good at ONE method before you start adding more.

1. Tap into your network

One of the best ways to quickly grow your business?

Tap into your network.

These people already know and trust you. So, they’re more likely to say “yes” to you. 

Consider the relationships you’ve built with:

• Ex-colleagues
• Previous bosses
• Friends and family

You can take my experience as an example.

At my last job, I often gave my colleagues free career advice.

Basically, I was offering them free “tasters” — without even knowing it at the time.

When I later ventured into career coaching (my second side hustle), I reached out to those same colleagues.

And guess what?

Because they‘d already experienced the value I could offer, many were happy to start working with me.

That’s how I landed my first career coaching clients.

If no one in your network needs your consulting services right now, you can always ask them for a referral. (But more on that later!)

Now, let’s look at how you can find clients on social media.

2. Leverage LinkedIn

LinkedIn is perfect for connecting with other business owners and professionals. 

Here’s how to get consulting clients on LinkedIn:

• Direct messaging: Start with people you already know and expand from there. The goal is to build real connections — rather than pushing sales or collecting contacts.
• Publish posts: “Just” posting can be a waste of time. Instead, make your posts stand out with the engagement formula: Attention + Value + Call to Action. Start with a catchy headline — maybe a question, a joke, or something unexpected. Once you’ve got their attention, deliver your value. Finally, wrap up with a call to action that gives readers something to do.
• Join discussions: Group discussions are great for connecting and learning from others. You also get to establish yourself as an expert in your field.
• Use video marketing: Videos feel more personal and help you stand out. Plus, LinkedIn loves them and actively pushes them.

The engagement formula can bring in more people to consume your content.

But for it to boost your business, your posts need to be related to what you do. 

So, to sum it all up: Stay relevant, connect with others, and stand out!

3. Use Facebook groups

Facebook groups are a goldmine for finding consulting clients.

How do I know?

Well, it’s exactly how I landed my first clients for my own digital advertising consulting business (my first side hustle).

Here’s how to make this strategy work for you:

First off, think about where your potential clients might hang out.

With the search function, you can find groups of people interested in what you offer.

For example, if you’re a financial consultant, search for groups focused on personal finance or investing.

Into marketing consulting? Look for small business or entrepreneur groups.

Next, pick three to five groups and start adding value by:

• Answering questions
• Sharing useful tips
• Joining discussions

The key is to always lead with value.

Over time, you’ll become a familiar face. That’s when these potential clients will think, “Hey, I could use someone like this.”

4. Attend meetups and events

Online marketing has its benefits, but in-person strategies feel much more personal.

One great in-person technique is attending meetups and events.

To do this, you’ll need to figure out where your ideal clients are.

This could be a business seminar, a networking event, or even something more niche like a technology workshop.

You can search for meetups on Meetup.com and events on Eventbrite.com.

Want to get the most out of these events? Then do more than just show up — have an actual plan.

Start by getting to know the organizer. You could say something like:

“Hi, I’m a tech consultant who helps entrepreneurs streamline their processes. Who do you recommend I meet here tonight?”

This helps you start conversations and meet people through someone they already trust.

If you’re an introvert like me, stepping into a room full of strangers can seem extra scary.

But having a plan makes this a LOT less nerve-wracking.

Also, it gets easier over time. The more you attend these events, the more comfortable you’ll feel talking to new people.

5. Use cold emailing

Cold emailing lets you introduce yourself to potential clients you haven’t met yet.

The toughest part? You’re reaching out without any prior relationship.

A common mistake new entrepreneurs make is simply sending the same old sales pitch in bulk.

Of course, that doesn’t help with building a connection…

My advice? Make each email feel personal by tailoring it for the recipient.

Here’s an example of what you could write:

Hi [their name],

My name is [your name]. I just read your article on X. Great read! [Briefly state what you learned from it.]

I had a look at your website. I noticed your conversion rate could be increased by at least 1-3% with a few simple strategies.

When would you be available for a quick 15-minute call next week to discuss how I can help you?

-Sign off

6. Participate in conferences

Conferences are another great way to meet clients in person.

Sure, they might be more expensive than meetups.

But guess what? That’s a good thing.

Here’s why:

High ticket prices attract the kind of crowd that’s serious about their business.

So, they’ll be much more ready and able to invest in valuable services (including yours).

Want to quickly establish yourself as an expert? Then you could also start speaking at these events.

It’s the perfect way to build authority fast.

And I know this firsthand. Public speaking might make me nervous, but the results it gets me make it totally worth it.

7. Get featured on podcasts

Podcasts are another way of getting heard.

The great thing about getting featured on them?

They let you tap into an audience someone else has already built and nurtured.

I’ve used this strategy plenty of times in my business.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret:

You don’t need to target big podcasts (like “So Money”) to see amazing results.

Smaller podcasts with engaged audiences can be just as effective.

In fact, many of my successful appearances were on podcasts with a smaller following.

What matters most is picking the right podcast for your niche.

You can find them with these Google search queries:

• “Podcast” + “[your keyword]”
• “Top podcasts (year)” + “[your keyword]”

8. Write guest blogs

If you prefer writing to speaking, this could be a great option for you.

Guest blogging is a strategic way to:

• Expand your reach
• Attract more consulting clients
• Establish yourself as an expert

Many of my students have attracted high-paying clients by posting on publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and YFS.

Plus, I’ve also had success here: One of my articles on Business Insider skyrocketed my sales — adding five figures in just one week!

Ready to try guest blogging? Here are a few pointers to get you started:

• Target the right outlets: Choose platforms where your target audience hangs out.
• Deliver value: Your content should either solve a problem or answer a big question for readers — even better if it does both.
• Follow submission guidelines: Each publication has its rules. Stick to them to increase your chances of getting published.

9. Get featured in the media

Like with guest blogging, getting featured in the media instantly boosts your credibility and visibility.

But how do you get featured as a new business owner?

I recommend using Connectively.

I use it myself and have landed features in several major publications like Inc., Entrepreneur, and Bloomberg.

Here’s how it works:

When you sign up, you get access to media requests from journalists and bloggers looking for credible sources for their articles.

You put together a short pitch. And if it gets selected, you’ll be featured in their publication.

The best part? The process only has to take 20 minutes a day:

• 5 minutes: Scan the media queries.
• 15 minutes: If a query grabs your attention, put together a valuable response.

10. Build an email list

You can also get clients by creating an email list.

This is a wise choice as email marketing can have a 4,200% return on investment.

Your email list is a super powerful marketing tool because::

• It offers a direct line to both potential and existing clients.
• Unlike the following you grow on social media platforms, your email list is completely yours.
• Each time you send an email, you reach all your subscribers at once. This makes it super scalable as it’s much easier than DMing your followers one by one.

I’m a BIG fan of email marketing.

It helped me scale my business to eight figures. And it consistently brings in more sales and dream clients year after year.

So, I definitely recommend leveraging it — just not right now…

You see, building an email list takes time.

That means it’s not the best strategy if you need clients ASAP.

Once you’re ready to build your list, though, you can check out my tutorial here: 

Next, I’ll tell you about the power of referrals.

11. Ask for referrals

Did you know 95% of customers read reviews before buying something?

Well, referral marketing takes the power of reviews one step further.

Referral marketing means getting your happy clients to tell others about your service.

So, instead of reading reviews from strangers, potential clients hear about you from people they already trust.

That’s exactly why referral marketing works so well.

The best time to ask for a referral is right after your client tells you how happy they are with your work.

Then, you can say something like:

“That’s great to hear! Would you happen to know anyone else who’s looking for my services? I’d really appreciate it if you’d share my information with them.”

📘 In this article, I dive deeper into how to get referrals from clients. Plus, I also share six handy templates.

12. Use SEO to get “free” leads

My email list has brought in many, many sales.

But guess what’s an even bigger and more scalable growth driver for my business?

SEO.

And I’m not alone…

60% of marketers say SEO is their best marketing channel for high-quality leads.

That said, I don’t recommend starting with this strategy.

Here’s why:

Unlike paid ads, SEO doesn’t cost you per click. But to reap the full benefits, it does require some investment.

For one, you’ll need to consistently create content and earn backlinks (links from other sites to yours).

These backlinks make your site look more credible, which helps Google rank it higher. And that’s how you land on Google’s first page for keywords that matter to your niche.

Wondering how to build backlinks? Here are three straightforward ways:

• Use Connectively
• Pitch podcasts
• Write guest posts

In the future, you could also hire an SEO expert.

In this short video, I share exactly how to scale your business with SEO:

13. Create a YouTube Channel

Personally, I love YouTube!

But…it’s not a great marketing strategy for beginners.

How come?

Well, for starters, you’ll need to learn how to write a script, record, and edit videos.

If you’re just starting out, that time is better spent on actual consulting work.

Plus, it takes a while to build up a following and start seeing clients come in from your videos.

That’s why I recommend starting a YouTube channel once you’re already more established.

For instance, I didn’t start my channel until I’d reached seven figures.

Today, YouTube does bring in money for me. But it’s far from being my main source of income.

Instead, I mostly use it to connect with my audience on a deeper level.

I talk about it more in this video:

Want to know whether you should create your own website? Keep reading to find out.

14. Create an optimized website

As a new consultant, don’t rush into building a website.

Why?

Because right now, landing your first clients should be your top priority.

At this stage, a website won’t bring in business. And your efforts are much better spent on reaching out directly to potential clients — instead of hoping they’ll come to you.

So, if you don’t need a website right now, why is this strategy even on the list?

Well, once your business starts to grow, it is a useful tool. Especially when you combine it with the right SEO strategies.

To give you an example:

By the time I built my first website, my business was already bringing in five figures in revenue.

Before that, when potential clients asked about my professional background, I’d simply share my LinkedIn profile.

If you do want to set up a website early on, keep it simple. Use a tool like WordPress to create a basic one-page site.

Once your business brings in more money, you can reinvest some of that into a more polished website.

15. Try Upwork

Looking for consulting clients quickly? Then Upwork is a great option.

This platform connects freelancers with businesses. Plus, it’s full of projects that need to be done right now, making it perfect for finding clients fast.

As you complete more jobs and earn positive reviews, you’ll find it easier to land higher-paying projects.

But there are also some downsides…

Not all projects pay well, so you might spend a lot of time browsing through jobs.

And when you do find a good fit, you’ll likely be bidding against many other freelancers.

Since Covid, the number of independent workers has been rising, making competition even tougher.

To make your proposal stand out, you’ll want to customize it for each job you’re applying for.

💡 Tip: You can find better-paid projects by selecting the highest project fee in the search filters, “$$$.”

Next up: Should you use paid ads?

16. Use paid ads

Paid advertising helped me grow my business to seven figures in a year.

So, it can definitely be worth the investment as it makes it easier for ideal clients to find you.

But it’s NOT a quick fix or magic solution.

In fact, paid ads are often a bit overhyped — especially among new entrepreneurs.

Many think you just invest once and then see immediate results.

If only!

Instead, you should expect to spend some time testing and tweaking your ad campaigns — especially if you’re new to paid ads.

To create a great ad, you’ll need two things:

• Compelling copy
• Attention-grabbing visuals

The goal is to hook people in. They should want to watch more, instead of trying to skip your ad as fast as possible.

With the right story and visuals, your ads have a high chance of bringing in more clients.

That said, to get the most out of them, you’ll need to place them where your audience spends time. This could be on:

• Facebook 
• Google 
• YouTube 
• Instagram 

Here, I lay out when this strategy can be useful for you:

17. Organize your own workshops

Hosting your own workshop is a great way to quickly establish yourself as a thought leader.

You can set up an event on platforms like Eventbrite, Meetup, and even Facebook.

Another option is to partner with an existing meetup group by offering a free workshop for their members.

This lets you tap into their audience without having to handle all the promotion yourself.

So, how do you put together a great workshop?

The key is to choose a topic that showcases your expertise and offers real value.

You’ll want to teach a skill or insight that can be applied right away.

For instance, if you’re a marketing consultant, you could offer a workshop on “Building Effective Facebook Ad Campaigns.”

Want to convert workshop participants into actual clients?

Then ask for their contact information.

You can then send a follow-up thank-you email and offer extra resources or support.

18. Use webinar funnels

Webinars are another great strategy to consider. 

That’s because they give you the chance to go into detail about what you do best.

This makes them great tools for showcasing your expertise and sharing how you could transform your clients’ lives.

You can either:

• Do a live webinar where you interact with people in real time
• Make a pre-recorded webinar people can watch at their own pace
• Turn a live webinar into an automated webinar people can watch later on

Live webinars are much more interactive, whereas pre-recorded webinars are easier to manage.

Putting together a good webinar takes some time. But once you have it ready, it’s a great tool to build your email list.

Why?

Because people generally have to sign up somewhere to get access to your webinar.

To host your webinar, the two platforms I recommend are:

• Zoom for live talks
• EverWebinar for automated, pre-recorded webinars

Learn more about webinar marketing here: 

19. Leverage your testimonials

Testimonials offer a lot of social proof.

They show potential clients you’ve already helped others, which makes them more willing to work with you — often at higher rates.

Because testimonials are so powerful, you want to start leveraging them ASAP.

Ideally, even before you’ve had your first paying client…

The thing is:

Testimonials are all about the value you’ve given others — regardless of whether you got paid.

So, if you’ve ever offered useful advice or solved a problem for someone, that’s enough for a testimonial.

Ask them to write a few sentences about their experience with you. And use these testimonials to land your first clients.

Now, let’s focus a bit more on social media again.

20. Grow your Instagram community

Instagram is supersaturated.

If your target audience is mostly there, here’s my advice:

Rather than marketing yourself, aim to create an engaged community.

For instance, I have less than 30K Instagram followers. But I’ve successfully used it to sell everything from courses to a high-ticket mastermind coaching package.

Now, how do you convert passive followers into actual clients?

The first step is to create a clear profile.

Any visitor should immediately understand what you offer. For example, when someone lands on my profile, it’s clear:

“I help you grow your business.”

Next, highlight that you have an offer and someone can work with you.

A simple invitation like “DM me if you want to learn more” shows you have more to offer than free content.

Finally, leverage all of Instagram’s features, including:

• Posts
• Videos
• Stories
• Lives
• Reels

Each one has its own purpose. For instance, stories and lives feel more personal, whereas reels are rather snappy.

For more strategies to get clients on Instagram, check out this video I put together for you:

21. Build a TikTok Brand

I’ve now expanded to several platforms, including TikTok.

TikTok is all about quick, engaging content.

You can post videos like those you’d share on Instagram but tweak them to be more dynamic and playful.

Compared to other social media platforms, organic reach is still quite high on TikTok.

However, the tricky part is turning viewers into paying clients.

My advice?

Include a clear call to action in your videos.

You could encourage viewers to book a consultation call. Or once you have a website, you can direct them there.

Next steps

So there you go, that’s how to get consulting clients!

Getting clients is a big part of running a thriving business. But of course, so much more goes into being a successful business owner.

Want to know what else you need for long-term success?

Then check out my free blueprint for creating a six-figure online business.

It shows you the exact steps to grow your business from the ground up — so that you can leave your 9-5 for good.

Read more:

The Top Consulting Skills to Grow Your Business

How to Create a Consulting Contract 

How to Onboard New Clients