Getting clients, ranked and the S tier the video kept for this PDF
Eight ways to win clients for a service business, ranked S to F, with why each one sits where it does and what to do next
Free PDF, 5 pages. Updated 2026-10-27. Enter your first name and email to download it now; a copy is also emailed to you.
What's inside
Most service businesses try every channel at once and get nowhere. Some channels burn your account or your margin. Some work, but only on the right terms. Here is the full ranking, including the S tier that was left out of the video on purpose.
Companies hiring a marketer: the channel most people miss
A job ad for a media buyer or a marketer tells you two things: there is budget, and there is an empty chair. Search the job boards for those roles, find the business behind the ad, and offer to run the work as a done-for-you service while they hire, or instead of hiring. One recent scan found 755 open marketing roles in the German-speaking market alone.
Meta ads: the most predictable pipeline
Paid ads are the most predictable way to keep new leads coming in every week. They only pay off once your offer actually sells, so prove the offer with a handful of clients first, then scale the spend in small steps.
Content: slow, but the leads show up warm
Content takes months to build momentum. The upside: people who find you through your posts already trust you before the first call. Post where your buyers already spend time and answer the questions they ask you on calls.
Cold email: only from a separate domain
Cold email still works, but never send it from your main business domain. Use a separate sending domain, warm it up, verify every list first and keep each message short and specific to the person.
Referrals: high close rate, low predictability
A referred lead closes well because someone they trust sent them to you. The problem is timing: you never know when the next one is coming, so referrals cannot be the whole plan. Ask every happy client for one intro, then build a channel you control.
LinkedIn: local owners barely log in
LinkedIn works for corporate buyers. Many local business owners rarely check it, so messages sit unread. Use it to back up your credibility, not as your main way to find clients.
Upwork: you fight the whole world on price
Freelance marketplaces put you next to sellers from every country, and the cheapest bid often wins. It can fill a gap early on, but it is hard to build a premium service business there.
Instagram DMs: Meta restricts you before it pays off
Sending lots of unsolicited DMs can get an account limited or restricted before it brings in a single client. Use DMs to reply to people who reach out first, for example through a comment keyword, never for cold outreach at volume.
How to get the guide
- Enter your first name and email. Takes ten seconds. No account, no password.
- Download the PDF. The download button appears right after you submit.
- Keep a copy in your inbox. We email you the guide as well, so you can find it later.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get clients for a service business?
Look at companies that are hiring a marketer or media buyer. The job ad shows there is budget and a gap to fill, so you can offer the work as a done-for-you service.
Are Instagram DMs a good way to find clients?
Not for cold outreach. Sending lots of unsolicited messages can get an account restricted before it brings in clients. Use DMs to reply to people who reach out first.
Why are referrals ranked C?
Referred leads close well, but you cannot predict when the next one arrives. Ask every happy client for an intro, then build a channel you control.
When should a business start running Meta ads?
Once the offer already sells. Prove it with a few clients first, then scale the ad spend in small steps.
Is the guide really free?
Yes. Enter your first name and email and you can download the PDF straight away. There is nothing to pay.
Why do I need to enter my email?
So we can send you a copy and let you know when new free guides come out. You only get the newsletter if you tick the box.