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Dream Clients

5 steps to working with your DREAM clients (when you don’t have a website yet)

It can be super intimidating when you first start your business and you’ve yet to start working with clients. It may feel like there are so many other, more experienced, more talented and established professionals out there – why would someone want to work with YOU?

The answer is simple – nobody else out there is YOU. 

Sure, there may be hundreds of experts offering the same service as you. But are they following the same process as you? Do they offer the same project experience, workmanship, results, as you do? 

You ARE different – you just need to know what sets you apart from everyone else out there.

The next stumbling block you may face when you are starting out, is that you have no website. 

But today I want to share 5 ways you can start sharing your know-how, build meaningful connections with your audience, and ultimately begin working with your DREAM clients even if you have no website yet.

1. Build your Brand from the start

I’m sure you’ve heard people talk about building a brand, and there is a very good reason for this – a brand is what will set you apart from everyone else online and have you stand out from the crowd! You want your potential clients to keep YOU in mind when they are looking to hire someone with your skillset and your brand is what will help them remember you.

To build your brand, you will need to decide on a colour palette, logo, fonts, patterns or elements and photography style, among other things such as graphic design. Your brand is the visual representation of your business vision and values, so it is therefore important that you understand the “heart” of your business so you communicate the correct message with your visuals.

When you are starting out, there is no need for you to break the bank with this. If you are not able to do it yourself you can absolutely purchase done-for-you brand kits which will give you a great head start with a polished brand that looks professional.

If you want to go the DIY route, my advice to you is SIMPLE IS BEST!

2. Create a service & pricing guide

Once your brand is in place, you’ll want to immediately get yourself a service & pricing guide set up. This is a great way to share more about you, your business, your service and booking process, all in one place with a call-to-action to take the next step.

Some other important things you’ll want to highlight in your service & pricing guide included:

  • Timeframe of the project
  • The booking and project process
  • Manage expectations and set clear boundaries
  • About the service and costs involved
  • Best way to contact you
  • Project examples pulled from your portfolio or client testimonials

You will want to make sure your service & pricing guide is tailored to your offer – example, if you offer day-rate services then make sure your guide is suitable for this.

The quickest way to get a service & pricing guide set up is to use Canva templates designed for this purpose! Grab this FREE 3-page guide to get your started.

3. Establish trust and form meaningful connections online

This can be tricky without a website but thank goodness for social media!

Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook were a game changer for me when I first started working with clients and I had no website.

I used Instagram to share my knowledge of my trade, give my audience helpful advice or tips, and share pieces from my portfolio to show off my experience. I also used Instagram to share client testimonials, personal stories to build connections and talk about causes close to my heart so my potential clients knew what I stood for as the person behind the business.

You also want to make sure that you are using the link in your bio correctly. Since you don’t have a website, you could link to your service guide or client invitation packet, or you could have them book a free clarity call with you. Whichever you choose, be sure that there is a clear call-to-action that will encourage people to click the link and get them a step closer to hiring you.

Facebook Groups are also fantastic places to build trust. FYI I am NOT saying you must go drop your links all over the place because that’s just not good guest etiquette! What you should do is try to offer some helpful feedback or tips to people who are asking questions in the groups related to your service/skills. This will give you the chance to be seen as an expert in your niche, help someone out, and get in front of more eyes. In my own experience, this has even led to onboarding new clients! 

4. Build an email list as soon as possible!

While your social media is crucial to build new connections and nurture existing relationships online, I highly recommend that you try getting those people subscribed to your email list too. This way, you can communicate with them personally, and keep in touch with them outside of these social platforms.

It is a good idea to also have people who have enquired about your service, booked a clarity call, or worked with you in the past sign up to your list, as they are going to be more likely to book you in the future. 

A few things you can send to your email list includes:

  • A free resource to help them achieve a small win before hiring you
  • A roundup of helpful posts you shared on your social media platforms
  • A tip or trick that can help them overcome a specific pain point
  • A before and after case study of a client you worked with
  • A special offer on a package you currently offer or
  • Announce the launch of a new service offer

When you are starting, you may not want to invest in an email marketing platform right away. If this is the case, here are two free options that are really great, as they’ll grow with your business:

  • ConvertKit
  • Mailchimp

If you’d like something more user friendly that still allows you to create STUNNING emails to send to your email list, I cannot recommend Flodesk enough! This is the platform I currently use after trying the above two first and not really loving it.

If you want to give Flodesk a try, you can use my special link to lock down 50% off – instead of paying $38/month you’ll pay $19/month for your first year!

5. Three ways to accept new clients without a site!

When you are ready to start signing on new clients there are a few ways you can do this without a website! Today I am going to share three ways I have personally used in the past…

  • Selling your service packages on Etsy

Simply add a product as you usually would, sharing all the important information about the service in the shop graphics and product description. Be really clear on things like your boundaries and conditions, the timeframe of the project, your refund policy, and what they will be getting once the project is complete.

The PDF download will be a client welcome document with a link for them to follow to take the next steps in the onboarding process, such as 

  1. Signing the contract
  2. Booking a call
  3. Filling out a client intake form, etc
  • Accept payment via PayPal

You could also have clients pay you directly to your PayPal account once they are ready to book you. Simply add all your information into your client welcome packet or invitation guide and include the contract (and any other instructions or documents they’ll need before the project kicks off) as an attachment to your PayPal invoice. This way, they immediately receive everything before the project begins and there is no delay in the process.

  • Use Honeybook to onboard new clients

Honeybook simplified the onboarding process by allowing me to create proposals, giving me access to contract templates which I can customize for my own offer AND accept e-signature, send invoices, communicate with clients right inside the portal, accept payments, send batch emails and so much more. I can even schedule important dates and let clients know when I am free to be booked – no more double booking!!

Things I love about HoneyBook

  1. It’s so easy to use
  2. I can make templates for everything
  3. Did I mention they have an app?!
  4. Customer service is so helpful! 
  5. Allows me to customize invoices for different project types

Let’s talk about the perks

  1. Send your invoice, contract and accept payment all in one place
  2. Set up tasks for yourself so nothing slips through the cracks
  3. Workflows to streamline my business
  4. The contact form on my website sends all my inquiries to HoneyBook
  5. Automatic payment reminders   

Did I mention you can now get 50% off for your first year? If there is one investment that will give you plenty of bang for your buck, then it is HoneyBook! Use my special discount code ‘OURPOLISHEDPAGES’ to get 50% off – this is one you will NOT regret.

USE THE CODE OURPOLISHEDPAGES FOR 50% OFF!

Never let anything stand in the way of your dreams! If you want to start working with soulmate clients on projects that light up your heart, you can absolutely do so using what you have at your disposal right now. The fancy website will come, along with the stunning photographs, high-end brand and scroll-stopping graphics. But, you need to start somewhere! So get your laptop fired up and just START!

Don’t forget to grab my FREE 3-page Pricing guide Canva Template to help you begin!
TAGS:businessdream clientshoneybookno websiteonboardingpricing guideservices
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Hi, I’m Nihaad!

Hi, I’m Nihaad!

I help lady bosses attract their very own tribe online with polished, on-brand graphics that truly sets them apart from the rest – giving them the confidence to stand in front of their dream clients.

Categories

  • Branding
  • Canva
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  • Graphic Design

Recent Posts

  • The types of Pinterest graphics you need to promote your biz and boost brand awareness
  • How to transform any Canva templates into unique graphics for a consistent brand look
  • How to keep the integrity of your brand when using Canva templates

It’s one thing to have a beautiful brand design. It’s one thing to have a beautiful brand design. It’s something else entirely to actually implement it so you can reap the benefits of a recognizable brand.

I’ve seen so many online business owners launch a stunning business brand, only to have them completely lose track of it because they’re disorganized or simply have no idea how to apply the brand to their visuals.

If you want to build a business that’s memorable so you can capture the eyes (and hearts) of your audience for a sold out launch, then you need to be consistent in the way you use your brand.

That being said, here are 5 small ways to intentionally implement your brand this week:

1️⃣Replace your old email newsletter header
2️⃣Update your Instagram Highlight covers
3️⃣Publish an Instagram post using a Canva template customized with your branding
4️⃣Create updated promo graphics for your core offer
5️⃣Update your Pinterest Profile cover

Need help to do this quick, quick? 

Click your way over to the link in my bio for Canva templates to create a consistent brand for your biz!
At the end of last year I received a message via m At the end of last year I received a message via my Etsy shop from someone who found my Canva templates on Pinterest.

The interesting bit? The screenshot she sent was of a template set that I updated more than 2 years ago!

What does that tell you?

Pinterest will bring traffic to your stuff, YEARS down the road!

It’s a great way to send people to your website so they can learn more about your business and all the incredible ways you can help them.

Pinterest is also a fantastic way to build awareness around your brand so that your audience becomes more familiar with your business.

And, what better way to do this than to establish a consistent brand with stunning visuals?

As it is with content sharing platforms, there are two ways to build brand awareness with your visuals:

1️⃣ THROUGH YOUR PROFILE

When someone lands on your profile, you want your brand visuals to draw their attention so they instantly become familiar with your business. This way, each time they see your content, they’ll immediately identify it as yours; which will make you top of mind.

2️⃣ THROUGH THE CONTENT BEING SHARED FROM YOUR PROFILE

Using a consistent aesthetic for your visuals when sharing content will allow for your audience to recognize your work while scrolling. This is a powerful way to build familiarity and connection, while also standing out from every other business they come in contact with online.

Wanna know which Pinterest graphics you should use for each of these so that you can build brand awareness with your visuals? 👆Swipe for the breakdown!
I’ve been lurking around in some Facebook groups I’ve been lurking around in some Facebook groups (in a non-stalker-like manner, please don’t be concerned 😅) trying to find reasons holding people back from making use of Canva templates in their businesses.
 
Want to know what popped up the most?
 
👉👉👉The fear that their graphics will end up looking like everyone else’s.
 
Of course, that’s a valid concern to have. None of us want our businesses to get lost on the internet!

So how exactly can you get the most out of using Canva templates while still making sure that your visuals stand out from the next business out there?

1️⃣ Write your copy beforehand
2️⃣ Customize text with your brand font
3️⃣ Change all design elements with your colour palette
4️⃣ Add your own on-brand photos in the image placeholders
5️⃣ Make use of on-brand stickers, animations, patterns or textures

Tap the link in my bio for the full blog post where I dive into each of these tips a bit more, or swipe for a quick breakdown.

Seriously, if you want your audience to stop feeling bored out of their minds… give them reason to go ‘what’s going on over here 👀’ by keeping these 5 simple customization tips in mind the next time you use Canva templates!
 
Thank me later, friend!

Speaking of Canva templates, remember I launched a brand new set of Pinterest templates in the shop designed to make your audience take a closer look at your sh*t!

Click your way over to the link in my bio ❤️
Last week I stumbled across a Reel made by a mom o Last week I stumbled across a Reel made by a mom of 7 where she gave her best piece of advice on how she gets it all done: “If it takes less than 5 minutes, do it now”
 
I’ve been trying to implement this in my day to day and it’s a freaking game changer!
 
😮‍💨 The dishes are not piling up in the kitchen sink…
 
😮‍💨 The kids' toys are not taking over the entire house…
 
😮‍💨 The laundry gets packed away instead of standing around until the next time we do the washing 😅😅😅
 
This got me thinking about our businesses...
 
What is a small task you can do right now, that your future self will thank you for?
 
👉👉👉 Here’s one: Take one piece of content, create 3 different Pinterest graphics for it and pin it to at least 2 relative boards in your profile.
 
Now I know what you’re thinking - “Designing Pinterest graphics will take longer than 5 minutes, Nihaad!”
 
Uhm… yeah it will! If you're not using Canva templates!!!
 
And, thankfully, I just dropped a new set of Pinterest templates in my shop for you to complete this 5 minute task yourself.

🎁🎁🎁 Don’t wanna buy templates right now? No prob, friend! You can totally grab some Pinterest templates from my free Canva library! 🎁🎁🎁

Click your way over to the link in my bio ❤️
Creating stunning visuals for online businesses is Creating stunning visuals for online businesses is kinda my JAM 😇

Staying true to a brand identity while creating stunning visuals to attract dream clients and customers is how I create MAGIC for your business 🧙

This is exactly why I felt so drawn to the email I received with the subject line “Can you help my business?”

Avery Smith is a Licensed Realtor who extends her services to corporate estate agencies looking to provide their clients with a premium level of client care. 

After going through my Dreamy Biz Brand Quiz, Avery realized she needed to uplevel the look and feel of her business to match the high level of service she provides. And, since her work tends to be more serious, she wanted to add a fun, personal touch to her visuals to intrigue her clients. Her overall aim was for her new brand and visuals to hold the attention of her clients with beautiful designs while maintaining the professionalism her field requires.

Communicating with Avery, I immediately related to her dedication to providing her clients with excellent results. Yet, through our email exchanges I got the sense that she’d lost a bit of the excitement she once had for her business while she was growing her client’s reputations. 

Understanding Avery’s desire to continue wowing her clients with outstanding service while simultaneously nurturing her own business, we created something that reignited her spark… I’m thrilled to share this stunning brand design project with you today!

Can you relate to Avery? Getting lost in growing your own business even as you’re doing the work you know in your heart you’re meant to be doing? 

I want to help you find your spark again.

Because even though design doesn’t fall into your zone of genius, it doesn't mean you can’t reap the amazing benefits of a beautiful business brand.

Let’s chat to find out exactly what you need to put your business back on the map - hit the link in my bio for the details

**Names and info of project changed per client’s request**
I know this will be a tough one to hear but there I know this will be a tough one to hear but there are areas in your business that you’re just not good at 😯

It’s ok though!

Honouring your life’s calling by doing the work that actually helps the people you want to serve with your offers? THAT should be your primary focus! Because THAT’S what will ensure that you grow your business while making an impact out there.

However, neglecting the areas of your business that you’re not the best at can be the reason you're stagnant.

Isn’t that ironic? Focusing your energy on your brilliance, the area that will actually allow your biz to thrive, could very well be the cause of your business not growing at all?

Does this sound like it might be happening to you: 

Getting lost in growing your own business even as you’re doing the work you know in your heart you’re meant to be doing? 

🔥I want to help you find your fire again.

Because even though design doesn’t fall into your zone of genius, it doesn't mean you can’t reap the amazing benefits of a beautiful business brand.

Let’s chat to find out exactly how we can make this happen for you!

Hit the link in my bio to tell me all about your biz baby ❤️

Bookings now open for 2023 🎉

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