How I Landed 10 New Clients in 7 Days Without Spending a Fortune

I’ve discovered that most people aren’t afraid of failing—they’re afraid of other people watching them try. Whether it’s starting a business, posting on social media, or learning a new hobby, the fear of judgment stops many before they even begin.

But if you’re reading this newsletter, you’ve likely already taken the leap, and that’s the hardest part.

When I launched my cleaning business, I knew the first few months would be challenging. I had limited funds for ads, no local connections, and zero experience running a service-based operation. What I did have was hunger.

I set up the usual platforms—Local Services Ads, Thumbtack, Yelp—but so did everyone else. To stand out, I needed to think outside the box. That’s why I focused on three main channels:

1. Social Media

• Small Budget, Big Reach
  I had a brand-new social presence and low trust from potential customers. However, living in a college town gave me access to local Instagram accounts with large followings in my target demographic. I paid $250 for a single post and three Stories on an account with over 30,000 local followers.

• Offer & Results
  I offered 25% off their first cleaning and booked four cleans, totaling about $1,000 in revenue. One of those clients stayed until graduation, generating over $3,000 from a single post.

2. Door-to-Door

• Flyers & Door Hangers
  I spent $300 on bulk flyers and door hangers via Vistaprint. Then I reached out to nearby apartment complexes. I was shocked by how open building managers were to including our flyers in welcome packets and allowing door hangers on residents’ doors.

• Lessons Learned
  I forgot to add unique discount codes to some flyers, so it’s hard to track exact conversions. Even so, we’re still receiving bookings from residents in these buildings. Definitely a win—just remember to include a custom offer code!

3. Face-to-Face

• Relationship Building
  I saved the best for last. Building personal relationships in the service industry—especially for large accounts—yields a massive return on investment.

• My Playbook

  1. Cold call local businesses or apartment complexes to find the relevant decision-maker (building manager, GM, or leasing manager).

  2. Spend $30–$40 on Starbucks goodies (cake pops, coffee cake, etc.).

  3. Deliver these treats in person, introduce yourself, and discuss a potential partnership.

• Why It Works
  I’ve done this at least 20 times, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales. My first partnership, a student-living complex, emailed their residents about our services and posted our flyers in elevators. We’ve generated over $30,000 from that one relationship alone.

Final Thoughts

If you want outsized returns, you must take outsized risks and think creatively. Doing the same thing as everyone else won’t set you apart—especially when you’re just starting out. Mass outreach is key: one cold call, one email, or one face-to-face introduction can completely change your business trajectory.

Have you tried any of these strategies? I’d love to hear your success stories (or even your flops!). Reply to this email or drop a comment with your best tips for landing new clients on a budget.

Remember: starting with one action, you can achieve anything.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more strategies, insights, and personal anecdotes on growing and scaling your service-based business.