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In 2013, my creative business was just a toddler. I had a website, an Etsy shop, and a Facebook page, but it was the early days of online marketing for me.

Most, if not all, of my clients were still local and found me through word-of-mouth referrals from other local businesses. Even though some of my clients may have never seen my website or Facebook, I was earning a reputation as an easy-to-work-with, reliable freelance designer in my area, and that was the goal.

Then, I moved.

Not that far away, but far enough that I didn’t know anyone. I lived there for a bit, began building up my local connections, and then moved again.

I ended up moving three more times in the next few years.

None of the moves were very drastic; I landed only a few hours from where I started and even kept working with some of my previously local clients. Still, I knew I had to get myself in front of new people to keep the business going.

But… how? Where do you find new clients without that safety net of people who already know, like, and trust you enough to refer their friends to you? And how do you do it on a newly single income with a budget of next to nothing? It’s as nerve-wracking as trying to make new friends in your 30s.

Fortunately, I was raised in an entrepreneurial family and am incredibly stubborn no stranger to figuring it out as I go. So, I got creative.

Here are a few of the ways I tried to get more visibility in the early years of my business:

💌 I printed copies of personal and client projects I thought represented me well, put them in an envelope with information about my business, and introduced myself at local shops. I walked in off the street, asked if a manager or owner was around to speak with, and gave them my friendliest professional handshake and a smile along with my little packet of printed-out business cards, client brochures, and sticker designs. This tactic led to an immediate project designing business cards for a small deli that was preparing to officially open for business a few weeks after I stopped by. That client went on to use me for other projects over the years and sent referrals my way as well.

🗣️ I told everyone what I did for a living. Not in an obnoxious way (I hope!), but I didn’t shy away from answering “What do you do?” with a confident “I’m a web and graphic designer working with entrepreneurs and small businesses”, or something along those lines, even before it felt completely true. You’d be surprised how often this turned into handing over my card or being put in touch with someone’s friend who needed a logo for her quilting business.

👋 I found and joined groups of other entrepreneurs (my potential clients) with a mindset of helping and learning, not promoting. Some were on Facebook, but I’ve done the same with local in-person networking groups, conferences, workshops, and masterminds. I detest networking solely to network, but I am a fan of putting myself where the people I want to meet are already gathered and making genuine connections with them. This has led to real-life relationships that are still part of my life and refer business to me today.

⏰ I promised myself to spend five minutes each day doing something tangible to move my business forward. That might be sending an email intro to someone I wanted to work with, spending a few minutes offering advice in a forum, updating my portfolio, or signing up for an upcoming event. It just needed to be tangible, and having it as a goal meant my mind was constantly searching for useful ways to fill those five minutes.

That's a few of the ways I’ve tried to continue bringing in new clients over the last 10+ years. Some tactics have been more successful than others, and as both my business and the world around it have evolved, I’ve found new ways to get myself out there and left some behind.

I've found that one of the keys to staying in business as an entrepreneur is to treat marketing as an experiment. Try new things and see what sticks, but aim for consistency. How you talk about your business and the platforms you do it on will change over time, and you'll tweak your approach.

In the last couple of years, I’ve been looking at my own little marketing ecosystem and thinking of how all of us solopreneurs, freelancers, and tiny business owners can make our businesses more stable, secure, and less dependent on the algorithm.

More recently, I'm seeing shifts that remind me how important it is to be scrappy and not have all your eggs in one basket. I’m also reminded just how effective and satisfying some of those strategies I used early on were... before I started relying on social media to get the word out for me.

If this shift has been on your mind as well, or you just want to shake up your marketing a bit with some new ideas and a good plan, I want to invite you to join me next Friday, February 28th, for my first Marketing Your Micro Business workshop.

It’s going to be a LIVE*, interactive, laid-back event -- just right for artists, authors, makers, coaches, freelancers, or anyone who has a service or product they need to promote but wants to do it on their terms and in a sustainable way.

You'll leave with more motivation, more hope, and at least a few solid creative ideas you can use to keep your micro business, side hustle, or freelance career moving forward, plus my online marketing toolkit to help you execute your plan.

I hope to see you there!

*Can't make it live? There will also be a replay because we all have stuff to do! Registration closes 2/25/25, though, so don't wait too long. ⏳

​Register for the workshop >>>​

Designer, Artist, Illustrator

Looking for more brand + marketing resources?

Solopreneur or small business owner? Join me February 28th for my live Marketing Your Micro Business workshop. I'll break down the simple systems I’ve spent years tweaking to help you create consistent on-brand graphics and effective marketing so you can build that sustainable business you’re dreaming of.

In the first few years of business, or transitioning to full-time self-employment, and want some practical guidance from someone farther down the path? I offer a limited number of Solopreneur Sessions every quarter. Reply to this email for more info.

Looking for a quick done-for-you refresh of your branding, website, or marketing materials? Brand Boost is two days dedicated to your project. Knock out website edits, tweak existing branding, or create new collateral for one fixed price.

Ready to invest in a custom logo or brand design package? Get more info on packages and request a quote here, or hit reply now and tell me more about your project.