You may have mastered the art of attracting reliable or repeat clients who are keeping your business afloat, however, remaining in the comfort zone of dependable customers is unlikely to propel your firm to the next level. The key lies in winning exceptional clients who are aligned with your values and will bring you those momentous jobs you dream of.

Obviously, landing great clients takes time and hard work, however, we guarantee the hustle will be worth it. Follow these invaluable tips and advice from the pros on nailing great clients, and you’ll be winning the best projects every time.

Identify the demographic of your ideal client

It’s essential that you’re clear on who your ideal client is from the outset, so you can offer them the content or service they are looking for. Take time to investigate their background, such as their age bracket, income level and location, as well as their goals, and you’ll gather a good sense of who your dream customer is. 

It’s also important to ask yourself who you would like to work with. This might seem a little obvious, however, if you’re excited about working with a particular type of client, or enjoy a  certain type of work, then the process and end result is likely to be more successful. 

Dean Marco, of Marco Projects agrees that it’s crucial to work with clients who share the same ethos. ‘I favour clients who want the job done right, not fast,’ says Marco. ‘I identify these types of clients through on site conservations, budget discussions, and making sure we share the same vision by asking them for their Houzz inspiration pictures.’

Learn how to create your ideal client profile with this guide.

Market yourself in the right places

Once you’ve learnt all about your ideal client, you can investigate where they are searching, so you can pinpoint how to reach out to them. For example, what social channels do they hang out on? What are they searching for? Not only is it important to identify their current habits so you know where to advertise, it’s also crucial to provide marketing content that they’ll find valuable, as well as using the right kind of language that they’ll find appealing. If you’re keen for good quality leads, you need to offer high quality communications that will look attractive. 

With Houzz Pro’s targeted advertising approach you can rest assured you are highlighting the best features of your business to the right clients in the ideal locations. You also have the option of upgrading to a premium listing so you show up prominently in targeted searches. 

Create a big online presence

Focus on developing an easy to navigate, lead generating website that clearly reflects your brand and service. Houzz pro, Marco, agrees that engaging with his audience online is crucial. ‘Having an online presence is  important as it helps communicate experience, trust and knowledge of your business.’

Ever considered writing a blog? Well, now might be the time as it adds value to your brand, offering potential clients a solution to a problem, and in turn earning you trust and respect over your competitors. Ensure your blog, or website, includes testimonials and reviews from previous clients to drum up credibility, while you should also be providing plenty of examples of your work to demonstrate your design knowledge, quality of work and professional expertise. 

With Houzz Pro you can easily  create a professional profile with everything you need to build your brand and grow your business. Stand out from the crowd with an SEO friendly and mobile optimised site.

Read these 5 tips on how to get your website noticed

Answer all enquiries

Keep business going by answering all enquiries professionally and promptly so you don’t lose potential jobs. ‘It’s crucial to engage back with a lead immediately,’ says Marco. ‘Houzz Pro helps me streamline the quotation process which in turn, allows me to send the potential client pricing back before my competitors’

And even if you don't have the capacity to take on a job, don’t leave people hanging. Return their inquiry with a friendly reply, and offer them an alternative solution or recommendation of one of your competitors. Yes, we mean it! Not only will this decent act of camaraderie between firms make you look professional, but your competitor might even return the favour in the future. 

By responding promptly to emails and messages, particularly from Houzz, you’re likely to beat a rival to the job. Houzz Pro CRM also allows you to create branded emails which will impress clients. What’s more, you can track and manage all your client communications in one centralised place, and know if your emails have been viewed by your client. 

Tell us…What expert tips can you share for securing great clients? Share your thoughts in the Comments.