If you are a freelancer, consultant, coach, or any other type of service provider, you know how important it is to attract new clients to grow your business. But how do you stand out from the crowd and convince potential customers to choose you over your competitors?
One of the most effective ways to showcase your skills, expertise, and value proposition is to create a listing on a platform that connects service providers with clients. A listing is a brief description of your service, your qualifications, your rates, and your contact information. It can be posted on a website, a directory, a marketplace, or a social media platform.
However, creating a listing is not enough. You need to optimize your listing to make it appealing, persuasive, and visible to your target audience. In this article, we will share with you some proven strategies to get dozens of new clients from one listing. These strategies include:
- Choosing the right platform for your listing
- Crafting a catchy headline and a compelling introduction
- Highlighting your benefits and differentiators
- Providing social proof and testimonials
- Adding a clear call to action and a sense of urgency
- Optimizing your listing for search engines and keywords
- Updating and refreshing your listing regularly
- Promoting your listing on other channels
By following these strategies, you will be able to create a listing that attracts attention, generates interest, and converts leads into clients. Let's dive into each strategy in more detail.
Choosing the right platform for your listing
The first step to creating a successful listing is to choose the right platform for your service. There are many platforms that allow you to list your service and connect with potential clients, but not all of them are suitable for your niche, your goals, and your budget.
Some of the factors to consider when choosing a platform for your listing are:
- The size and quality of the audience. You want to choose a platform that has a large and relevant audience for your service. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you might want to list your service on a platform that caters to creative professionals, such as Behance, Dribbble, or Fiverr. If you are a business coach, you might want to list your service on a platform that targets entrepreneurs, such as Clarity, Coach.me, or LinkedIn.
- The level of competition. You also want to choose a platform that has a reasonable level of competition for your service. If the platform is too saturated with similar providers, you might have a hard time standing out and getting noticed. If the platform is too niche or obscure, you might have a hard time finding enough clients. You can use tools like SimilarWeb, Alexa, or Google Trends to analyze the traffic and popularity of different platforms.
- The cost and commission. You also want to choose a platform that fits your budget and your profit margin. Some platforms are free to use, but they might charge a commission or a fee for each transaction or lead. Some platforms are paid, but they might offer more exposure, features, or support. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each platform and calculate your return on investment.
Crafting a catchy headline and a compelling introduction
The second step to creating a successful listing is to craft a catchy headline and a compelling introduction. These are the first elements that your potential clients will see when they browse through the platform, and they will determine whether they will click on your listing or not.
Your headline and introduction should:
- Capture the attention of your audience. You need to use words and phrases that are relevant, specific, and intriguing to your audience. For example, instead of saying "I offer graphic design services", you could say "I create stunning logos, flyers, and posters for your brand". Instead of saying "I am a business coach", you could say "I help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and achieve their goals".
- Communicate your value proposition. You need to explain what your service is, what problem it solves, and what benefit it provides to your clients. For example, instead of saying "I offer web development services", you could say "I build fast, secure, and user-friendly websites that increase your conversions and sales". Instead of saying "I am a fitness trainer", you could say "I design personalized workout plans that help you lose weight, gain muscle, and improve your health".
- Include keywords and phrases. You need to use keywords and phrases that your potential clients are searching for on the platform or on search engines. This will help you rank higher and get more visibility. For example, instead of saying "I offer accounting services", you could say "I provide bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial consulting for small businesses". Instead of saying "I am a yoga instructor", you could say "I teach hatha, vinyasa, and ashtanga yoga for beginners and advanced learners".
Highlighting your benefits and differentiators
The third step to creating a successful listing is to highlight your benefits and differentiators. These are the reasons why your potential clients should choose you over your competitors. They should answer the question "What makes you unique and better than others?"
Your benefits and differentiators should:
- Focus on the outcomes and results. You need to show your potential clients what they can expect to achieve or gain from working with you. For example, instead of saying "I offer SEO services", you could say "I help you rank higher on Google, drive more traffic to your website, and generate more leads and sales". Instead of saying "I offer photography services", you could say "I capture your memorable moments, create stunning images, and deliver them in high-quality prints or digital formats".
- Provide evidence and examples. You need to back up your claims with evidence and examples that demonstrate your skills, experience, and credibility. For example, instead of saying "I have 10 years of experience in graphic design", you could say "I have worked with over 100 clients, including Nike, Coca-Cola, and Apple, and created logos, flyers, and posters that increased their brand awareness and loyalty". Instead of saying "I have a degree in psychology", you could say "I have a master's degree in psychology from Harvard University and published several research papers on human behavior and motivation".
- Address objections and concerns. You need to anticipate and address any objections or concerns that your potential clients might have about your service. For example, instead of saying "I charge $100 per hour for web development", you could say "I charge $100 per hour for web development, which is a fair and competitive rate considering the quality, speed, and reliability of my work. I also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a free consultation". Instead of saying "I work remotely from India", you could say "I work remotely from India, which means I can offer you lower rates, flexible hours, and a diverse perspective. I also speak fluent English and use the latest tools and technologies".
Providing social proof and testimonials
The fourth step to creating a successful listing is to provide social proof and testimonials. These are the opinions and feedback of your previous or current clients that validate your service and build trust with your potential clients.
Your social proof and testimonials should:
- Be authentic and verifiable. You need to use real and honest testimonials from your actual clients, and provide their names, titles, and contact information if possible. You can also use screenshots, videos, or links to showcase your work and your clients' results. You should avoid using fake or exaggerated testimonials, as they can damage your reputation and credibility.
- Be relevant and specific. You need to use testimonials that are relevant and specific to your service and your potential clients' needs. For example, instead of using a generic testimonial like "He did a great job", you could use a specific testimonial like "He designed a beautiful and functional website for my online store, which increased my conversions by 50% in the first month". Instead of using a vague testimonial like "She is very professional and friendly", you could use a relevant testimonial like "She helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and gave me valuable tips and feedback on how to improve my presentation skills".
- Be diverse and representative. You need to use testimonials that reflect the diversity and variety of your clients and your service. For example, instead of using testimonials from only one type of client, such as small businesses, you could use testimonials from different types of clients, such as startups, nonprofits, or individuals. Instead of using testimonials from only one type of service, such as logo design, you could use testimonials from different types of services, such as flyer design, poster design, or brochure design.
Adding a clear call to action and a sense of urgency
The fifth step to creating a successful listing is to add a clear call to action and a sense of urgency. These are the elements that motivate your potential clients to take the next step and contact you or hire you for your service.
Your call to action and sense of urgency should:
- Be clear and direct. You need to tell your potential clients exactly what you want them to do and how to do it. For example, instead of saying "If you are interested in my service, please let me know", you could say "If you are ready to take your business to the next level, click the button below and book a free consultation with me today". Instead of saying "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me", you could say "If you want to learn more about how I can help you achieve your fitness goals, send me a message and I will reply within 24 hours".
- Be urgent and compelling. You need to create a sense of urgency and compel your potential clients to act fast and not
