When I first walked on campus at the University of Washington, I felt overwhelmed.
Over 30,000 students went there. Roughly double the size of my hometown.
But at freshman orientation, our group leader said something I’ll never forget: “It’s not as big as it seems from the outside. You’re going to find ways to shrink the university.”
She was right.
I found my place through clubs, classes, residence halls, and rec sports teams. It took a while, but the huge university started to feel much smaller.
The Internet works the same way. It seems impossibly big and crowded — until you learn how to shrink it.
In this episode, I’ll share 10 ways to do exactly that. These strategies help you show up where your customers are already looking.
You’ll learn:
- How to use local search (even for online services)
- The “listicle hack” that gets you free traffic
- Why Reddit and YouTube are goldmines
- How Facebook groups can find you clients
- And more
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- Intuit — Join Intuit’s world-class network of Tax and Bookkeeping Experts!
1. Think Local (Even for Online Services)
Most people still like doing business with locals. Even if you work remotely.
Chris Misterek from episode 388 figured this out. He’s a web designer who could work with anyone, anywhere.
But he focused locally instead.
Here’s what Chris did:
He put his home address on his website. Then he wrote a blog post called “The 10 Best Web Design Firms in Gilbert, Arizona.”
He included other good designers. But he also put himself on the list.
“What happens when you focus locally is it drives people to your site easier,” Chris said. “Google wants to connect people who are close to each other.”
The results? “I’ve had quite a few jobs where people said, ‘I was looking for somebody in my city and you’re right down the road from me.'”
Action steps: Create your Google Business profile. Submit your business to local directories. Write a “Best [Your Service] in [Your City]” blog post. Include yourself on the list.
2. Get Added to Existing Lists
Lots of “best of” articles already rank high in Google. Why not get yourself added to them?
Here’s how it works:
Search for articles like “best courses for [your topic]” or “top [your service] providers.” Find the website owner’s contact info. Send them a polite email.
Your pitch could be: “Hi [Name], I noticed #7 on your list is no longer in business. I have a thriving [service] and would love to be considered as a replacement. Here’s a ready-to-use description you can copy and paste…”
Make it easy for them. Write the description yourself. You’re tapping into traffic that already exists.
3. Answer Reddit Questions
People ask questions on Reddit every day. Many of these questions are problems you can solve.
Search your keywords on Reddit. Look for threads where people need help.
Hannah Morgan found threads about “the mental load of parenting.” Perfect for her virtual house management service. She could jump in and say, “We can take care of some of that mental load for you.”
I found a thread asking “Has anyone ever hired a business coach?” If you’re a business coach, that’s your chance to help.
The key is being helpful first. Don’t be overly promotional. Share your experience and approach.
These threads often rank in Google too. So you get exposure beyond just Reddit users.
We covered this in detail in episode 673.
4. Mine Google Search Console Data
This one is for people who already have websites.
Open your Google Search Console. Look at your search analytics report. Find keywords that get lots of impressions, but relatively few clicks.
This means Google thinks your content is relevant. But it’s not ranking high enough for people to click.
Go back and improve that content. Make it more helpful and up-to-date. You’ll likely see more clicks since Google is already showing it to people.
It’s almost like getting free traffic.
5. Podcast and YouTube Guesting
Starting your own podcast takes forever to build an audience.
Guest appearances are much faster. You tap into someone else’s existing audience in just 30 minutes.
Here’s how to find opportunities:
Search your keyword on iTunes or YouTube. Look for interview-style shows. Find hosts who would benefit from your expertise.
Don’t send generic pitches. Show you’ve actually listened to their content. Present a clear benefit for their audience.
The best pitches I get have:
- A clear hook or transformation promise
- Specific bullet points of what listeners will learn
- A personalized message showing they know my show
Make it an easy “yes” for the host.
6. Create How-To YouTube Videos
Create videos that answer specific questions your customers are asking.
Kristy DaSilva from episode 627 built her consulting business this way. She specializes in ClickUp and HoneyBook software.
So she makes videos like:
- “5 ClickUp Dashboards That Will Change Your Business”
- “How to Create a Content Calendar in ClickUp”
- “How to Run Your Agency in HoneyBook”
“The more specific we got, the better they performed,” Kristy said. “People are searching for that exact thing.”
You don’t need millions of views. The people watching these videos really need your help. That makes them great potential customers.
Always introduce yourself as the expert. Include a clear next step in your video description.
Content ideas: Turn your FAQ page into videos. Answer the questions people ask you most.
7. Create a Facebook Group
Facebook still gets massive traffic. People search for groups about their interests and problems every day.
Abbey Ashley has a Virtual Assistant group with over 140,000 members. When people search “virtual assistant” on Facebook, they find her group.
Her group leads people to free webinars and resources — and eventually to her paid virtual assistant training program.
It’s way less competitive than Google search. And it’s a perfect entry point into your world.
I do the same thing with the Side Hustle Nation Facebook group. When people search “side hustles” on Facebook, I want them to find us.
8. Search Inside Facebook Groups
Join groups where your ideal customers hang out. Then search for keywords related to problems you solve.
Jayne Havens joined parenting groups. She searched for “my kid won’t go to sleep.” When she found those posts, she offered helpful tips. Then mentioned she’s a certified sleep consultant.
I see people in groups asking things like:
- “I’m willing to pay someone to help with Facebook ads”
- “I need help with WordPress”
- “Looking for a video editor”
These are hot leads. And the threads stick around forever. Even old posts from years ago still get found through search.
I use this strategy in our local neighborhood Facebook group. I search for “plumber recommendations” or “kitchen remodel” when we need contractors.
9. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a huge search engine that most people ignore.
Use your headline and bio to target keywords. When I searched “weight loss,” I found profiles saying:
- “Weight Loss Coach”
- “Weight Loss Coach for Busy Parents”
- “Spiritual Weight Loss Mentor”
Create content around your keywords too. This builds your reputation in that space.
We covered LinkedIn marketing in detail with Joe McKay earlier this year. He showed how to turn your profile into a sales letter for your ideal customer.
10. Find Customers on Amazon
This is one of my favorite strategies.
Yes, writing a book takes work. But it’s the ultimate business card and credibility builder.
“He wrote the book on it” carries serious weight.
Books also have incredible staying power. Some titles I wrote years ago still generate leads today. Over 2,000 people downloaded my free Side Hustle book this year alone.
Amazon is a massive search engine. When people search your topic, you want them to find your book.
You can use books as lead generators too. Include “download the free toolkit” offers throughout. Price it low ($3-10) or even free to maximize reach.
I found a “commercial real estate for beginners” book with 900+ reviews. It clearly leads people to the author’s paid coaching program. Smart strategy.
Content shortcuts: Repurpose existing content. Use AI to help create outlines. Include client success stories.
Your Next Step
Pick one strategy from this list. Test it for the next 30 days.
The internet isn’t as crowded as it seems. You just need to find the right corner where your customers already hang out.
If you have other creative ways to connect with customers, email me at Nick@SideHustleNation.com. I love hearing new ideas.
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