How to Get More Clients: 21 Proven Strategies for Digital Marketing Agencies
Getting more clients for your digital marketing agency is more challenging than ever. New competitors are entering the market daily, and potential clients are overwhelmed by a flood of similar service offerings. In this crowded space, it’s not enough to be great at what you do—you also need a strategic approach to attract, engage, and convert the right prospects.
If you’re wondering how to get more clients in today’s saturated market, the answer lies in blending foundational tactics with modern, data-driven strategies. From sharpening your positioning to leveraging automation and building smart partnerships, there’s no one-size-fits-all, but there is a formula for success.
In this blog, you’ll find 21 proven strategies designed to help digital marketing agencies get more clients—strategies that are actionable, scalable, and tailored to the realities of growing an agency in 2025. Whether you’re launching a new shop or optimizing an existing operation, these tips will power your next phase of client acquisition.
Table of Contents
- Know Your Audience and Niche
- Strengthen Your Online Presence
- Leverage Social Proof and Authority
- Activate Referrals and Strategic Partnerships
- Network and Engage with Your Community
- Invest in Paid and Owned Lead Generation
- Offer Free Value Upfront
- FAQs
Acquire, retain, expand, and manage clients in one place
Know Your Audience and Niche
The most successful agencies aren’t trying to be everything to everyone—they’ve zeroed in on exactly who they serve best. Understanding your niche, ideal clients, and using the right tools to gather insights can set the stage for scalable, sustainable growth.
Let’s dive into three key strategies to help you sharpen your focus and connect with more of the right clients.
1. Define Your Niche
One of the most effective ways to attract more clients is to specialize. Instead of offering broad marketing services to any business that shows interest, identify a marketing niche where your agency can become the go-to expert. That might be:
- Home services like HVAC, plumbing, and landscaping.
- Real estate agencies or brokers looking for local SEO support.
- Healthcare providers that need HIPAA-compliant marketing strategies.
Niching down clarifies your unique selling proposition. It enables you to speak the language of your audience, understand their pain points, and develop services that solve their specific problems. When potential clients feel like your agency "gets" them, they’re far more likely to engage and convert.
A great example of this is BookCleaningJobs, a marketing agency that focuses exclusively on the carpet cleaning industry. By zeroing in on this specific vertical, they were able to craft a highly targeted marketing strategy including website, SEO, Google Ads, and social marketing. This specialization helped them to scale fast, generating 112 recurring billed product sales within a single year.
2. Build Ideal Client Profiles
Once you’ve defined your marketing niche, the next step is to create detailed ideal customer profiles (ICPs) and buyer personas.
- Business size and structure
- Growth goals and pain points
- Decision-making behaviors
- Preferred communication channels
For example, if your ideal client is a multi-location dental clinic, your buyer persona might include a marketing director who juggles multiple vendors, a need for HIPAA-compliant email campaigns, and a marketing goal of booking more online appointments.
3. Use CRM for Audience Insights
Understanding your audience is an ongoing process—and that’s where a reliable customer engagement platform becomes essential.
In a nutshell, combined with robust marketing automation features, Vendasta’s CRM enables you to:
- Organize and segment leads based on industry, behavior, or stage in the sales funnel.
- Track every interaction and touchpoint, giving you a full view of your client-agency relationship.
- Automate follow-ups, task reminders, and nurture sequences.
Whether you’re running a lean team or managing a large book of prospects, leveraging a CRM helps you stay organized, prioritize your efforts, and close deals faster.
Strengthen Your Online Presence
When implementing a strategy on how to get more clients as a digital marketing agency, your online presence is essential. It’s often the first impression potential clients have of your business—and in a crowded industry, you only get one shot to prove you're worth their time.
From the design of your website to how your content ranks on search engines, your online presence can have a dramatic impact on your client acquisition.
4. Design a High-Converting Website
A high-converting site is fast, intuitive, and designed with your ideal client in mind. Here's what to prioritize:
- Mobile optimization to ensure your site performs flawlessly on smartphones and tablets.
- Fast load times to reduce bounce rates and keep visitors engaged.
- Service-specific landing pages that speak directly to each marketing niche you serve.
- Clear CTAs (Calls to Action) that guide visitors toward next steps like booking a consultation, downloading a lead magnet, or filling out a contact form.
- AI-powered chatbot to engage visitors in real time, answer common questions, and capture leads even outside business hours.
To build trust, don’t forget social proof. Add testimonials from past clients, display certifications, and showcase partner logos. These trust signals can make the difference between a bounced visitor and a booked discovery call.
5. Optimize for SEO
Even the best-designed website won’t help you get more clients if no one can find it. That’s where SEO comes in. Start by focusing on local SEO keywords tailored to your niche. For example, terms like “SEO for plumbers in Austin” or “real estate marketing agency NYC” attract high-intent visitors.
Here’s how to elevate your local SEO visibility:
- Optimize page titles, meta descriptions, and header tags.
- Use structured content formats (like FAQs and schema markup) to enhance search performance.
- Regularly publish keyword-rich blog posts that answer your audience’s most pressing questions.
Not sure what to write about? Start with niche topics such as “How HVAC companies can get more leads online” or “SEO checklist for local dentists.” These types of articles position your agency as an authority and improve your chances of showing up in organic search results.
6. Create and Promote Case Studies
Nothing builds credibility faster than proof of results. Detailed case studies show potential clients exactly how your agency delivers marketing ROI. Choose your strongest campaigns and turn them into stories that showcase:
- The client’s challenge
- The strategy you implemented
- The measurable results you achieved
Be specific—metrics like “increased website traffic by 72% in 3 months” or “cut lead cost by 40% with Google Ads optimization” speak volumes.
Once your case study is live, promote it strategically. Add it to your website, feature it in email campaigns, and share it across your social media channels. You can even repurpose it into a slide deck for sales calls or webinars.
Leverage Social Proof and Authority
When agency owners ask how to get more clients, one of the most overlooked answers is also one of the most powerful: let your results and reputation do the talking.
Social proof—evidence that others trust and recommend your agency—builds instant credibility. Whether it’s a glowing testimonial, a 5-star review, or an expert interview, these trust-building assets can tip prospects from "maybe" to "yes."
7. Collect and Feature Client Testimonials
Client testimonials are simple to gather and incredibly persuasive. They validate your work, humanize your brand, and reassure prospective clients that you deliver on your promises.
- Ask at key moments, such as after launching a successful campaign or hitting a major milestone.
- Make it easy by providing a short form or writing a draft that the client can approve.
- Feature testimonials prominently—on your homepage, service pages, proposals, and even social media. Bonus points for using video testimonials, which convert even better than written quotes.
Don't just share praise. Match testimonials to the specific services or industries your prospects are interested in to make your messaging even more relevant.
8. Build a Google Business Profile and Review Strategy
For local visibility and online reputation, your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a must-have. A well-optimized profile can help you show up in local search results and build trust instantly.
Here’s how to make it work:
- Claim and verify your business profile, if you haven’t already.
- Add complete details, including business hours, service categories, and a booking link.
- Ask for reviews regularly, especially after a great client experience.
- Respond to every review, positive or negative, to show that you care about client feedback.
To streamline your efforts, use AI marketing tools like Vendasta’s Reputation Management. With the help of the software, you can automate surveys based on the clients’ NPS:
Promoters can be prompted to leave a public review on platforms like Google or Facebook.
Detractors or passives can be routed to a private feedback form, helping you uncover issues and respond proactively before they escalate.
Denver-based agency The Xcite Group is a prime example of how digital marketing agencies can use automation to enhance their credibility and grow faster. Before partnering with Vendasta, The Xcite Group was manually handling listings and reviews—an incredibly time-consuming process, especially when managing multiple client accounts.
By leveraging Vendasta’s white-label Listings Management and Reputation Management, The Xcite Group was able to:
- Ensure consistent and accurate directory listings across dozens of platforms.
- Automate review requests and responses.
- Save time while providing more value to their SMB clients.
- Build trust with both new prospects and long-time customers.
The results? Increased client satisfaction, scalable operations, and a stronger value proposition.
9. Get Featured on Podcasts and Guest Blogs
Authority builds trust, and one of the best ways to establish yours is by sharing your expertise through podcasts and guest blogs. These opportunities allow you to:
- Reach a broader audience that already trusts the host or publication.
- Earn backlinks that support your SEO strategy.
- Position yourself as a thought leader in your niche.
Start by identifying podcasts and blogs that cater to your target clients.
Here is a starting point for the following niches:
- Home services: The Home Service Expert Podcast, Blue Collar CEO Podcast, ServiceTitan Blog.
- Healthcare: Patient Convert Podcast, The 10 Minute Healthcare Marketing Podcast, The #HCBiz Show, Healthcare Success Blog, Paubox Blog.
- Real estate: Real Estate Marketing Dude Podcast, AgentFire Blog.
Craft personalized pitches that highlight your unique perspective or client success stories. Once featured, promote the appearance on your website, social channels, and newsletters to maximize reach and credibility.
Activate Referrals and Strategic Partnerships
Another highly effective way to get more clients is by leveraging the network you already have. Referrals and strategic partnerships can be some of the most cost-effective and reliable lead sources—especially when they’re backed by systems that scale.
Whether it’s happy clients singing your praises or industry partners sending leads your way, this trio of strategies can help you grow faster with fewer ad dollars.
10. Launch a Client Referral Program
When it comes to reputation management, happy clients are often more than willing to refer your services.
- Offer incentives like account credits, discounted services, upgrades, or even gift cards.
- Make it easy to refer by providing ready-to-send email templates or a dedicated referral portal.
- Promote the program during onboarding, in client newsletters, and at key milestones.
Referral programs don’t just bring in warm leads, they enhance client collaboration by showing you value their support. Referred leads tend to convert at higher rates and stick around longer.
11. Partner with Complementary Service Providers
One of the smartest ways to get more clients is by agency networking, which means aligning yourself with businesses that already serve your target audience. Think web developers, IT consultants, brand designers, or business coaches.
- Identify partners who offer non-competing but related services.
- Establish a referral agreement with clear terms—such as commission rates or lead exchanges.
- Run co-marketing campaigns like joint webinars, eBooks, or bundled offers that promote both brands.
Strategic partnerships let you access built-in trust. When a partner introduces you to one of their clients, it’s like a pre-qualified endorsement. Plus, you can return the favor—creating a win-win ecosystem for long-term growth.
12. Use Vendasta’s White-Label Marketplace to Expand Offerings
If your agency has ever lost a deal because you didn’t offer a specific service—like social ads, email marketing, or web development—you’re not alone. Many agencies hit a wall when they’re unable to scale without increasing headcount.
That’s where Vendasta’s white-label marketplace becomes a game-changer.
- Expand your service menu instantly with access to fully managed, white-label solutions.
- Bundle offerings to present full-service packages that are more attractive to clients.
- Maintain quality and control while offloading fulfillment to trusted experts behind the scenes.
By leveraging Vendasta’s white-label fulfillment, your agency can say “yes” to more client requests without burning out your team. This makes your agency more competitive, more scalable, and more appealing to clients looking for a single, trusted provider.
Pro Tip: White-label reporting tools, such as client dashboards, can also help you show value to clients with data-backed results—keeping them engaged and ready to refer you.
Network and Engage with Your Community
If you're serious about figuring out how to get more clients, remember that client-agency relationships are just as powerful as algorithms.
In an age of automation, genuine connection can be a key differentiator. Whether you’re meeting face-to-face or engaging online, building a visible, trusted presence in your community—both locally and digitally—helps keep your agency top of mind.
Here are three high-impact ways to grow your network and turn conversations into conversions.
13. Attend or Sponsor Industry Events
In-person interactions are still incredibly valuable, especially in B2B marketing. Events give you a chance to meet decision-makers, discover new trends, and showcase your agency’s personality.
Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Attend local business meetups, Chamber of Commerce events, or digital marketing expos that align with your niche.
- Sponsor booths or sessions at trade shows where your ideal clients are already gathering.
- Collect contact information with QR codes or giveaways and follow up with personalized outreach within 48 hours.
Even one quality conversation can lead to long-term client relationships—especially when you follow up with helpful content or a customized audit.
Pro Tip: If you're looking for an event that’s built specifically for marketing professionals, SaaS resellers, and agency owners—look no further than Ideas on Tap by Vendasta.
- Connect with potential partners or clients who are looking for digital marketing solutions.
- Stay ahead of AI marketing trends by learning how others are using technology, AI, and automation to grow.
- Build authority by networking with like-minded professionals in a relaxed, social setting.
14. Host Webinars or Virtual Events
Hosting a webinar is a low-cost, high-impact way to showcase your expertise and bring warm leads into your pipeline. When done right, a single event can generate dozens—or even hundreds—of engaged prospects.
To get started:
- Pick a relevant, timely topic your audience cares about, like “How Local Businesses Can Dominate Google in 2025” or “Top 5 Mistakes in Small Business Advertising.”
- Promote through email marketing, social posts, and strategic partnerships (like industry associations or software vendors).
- Record and repurpose the content into blog posts, video clips, or downloadable resources.
Use interactive features like polls and Q&A to engage your audience and invite them to book a follow-up call after the session.
Learn from the Pros: Vendasta’s Webinar Strategy
If you’re new to webinars—or looking to improve your format—take a page from Vendasta’s webinar library. Vendasta hosts regular, high-value webinars tailored to marketing professionals, agencies, and SaaS resellers.
These sessions cover actionable topics like:
- How to sell and scale SEO services.
- Using automation to streamline client acquisition.
- White-label fulfillment strategies for growing agencies.
- The latest trends in AI, local search, and reputation management.
Each webinar is packed with industry insights, expert panels, and real-world examples—making them an excellent resource for learning and inspiration. You can even attend live or access recordings on demand to see how successful webinars are structured, promoted, and followed up.
15. Create or Join Online Communities
Today’s agency owners know that community is currency. Whether it’s a private Facebook group, like Vendasta’s Official Community, or a niche Slack channel, like the DO Slack Community, online communities create powerful ecosystems for client acquisition.
Here’s how to make them work for you:
- Join or start a group focused on small business marketing, local SEO, or industry-specific pain points.
- Share practical insights, case studies, and helpful resources—not just self-promotion.
- Build relationships by answering questions and engaging consistently. People are more likely to hire someone who’s already helped them.
If you have the bandwidth, launching your own community (e.g., “Local Business Growth Lab” on LinkedIn) can be a long-term asset. It gives you a direct channel to your ideal audience—and positions your agency as the leader of the pack.
Invest in Paid and Owned Lead Generation
One of the most direct paths when figuring out how to get more clients is by investing in both paid advertising and owned marketing assets. While organic growth is essential for long-term sustainability, paid and owned lead generation strategies allow you to attract the right leads faster and at scale.
This section will walk you through how to use targeted ads and automated funnels to consistently fill your pipeline with qualified prospects.
16. Launch Retargeting Campaigns
Most visitors won’t convert the first time they land on your site. That’s where you should leverage retargeting, an essential strategy in digital marketing targeting for re-engaging cold or dormant leads.
With the help of AI, you can take retargeting to the next level by analyzing large volumes of behavioral data and optimizing ad performance in real time. Here’s what AI can do:
- Predict buyer intent: AI algorithms can analyze on-site actions—like time spent on a page, scroll depth, or click patterns—to identify high-intent leads and prioritize them for more aggressive retargeting.
- Personalize ad creatives automatically: AI can dynamically generate ad copy and visuals based on user preferences, past interactions, or industry segments, making each ad more relevant and clickable.
- Optimize ad spend: AI continually does A/B testing for different creatives, formats, placements, and bidding strategies to ensure your budget is allocated where it performs best—reducing waste and increasing ROI.
- Trigger smart retargeting workflows: Platforms like Vendasta integrate with advertising channels to automatically retarget leads based on CRM activity—like email opens, form submissions, or Snapshot Report views.
Retargeting campaigns help you stay top-of-mind, increase conversion rates, and improve the ROI of all your existing traffic efforts.
17. Run Google Search Ads for High-Intent Keywords
When someone searches for “local SEO agency for dentists,” they’re not browsing—they’re buying. Google Search Ads let you tap into this demand by bidding on high-intent keywords that match your agency’s niche.
To get the most from your budget:
- Use long-tail keywords that are specific to your services and audience.
- Write ad copy that highlights your unique selling points (e.g., “Fully Managed SEO for Dentists – Book a Free Strategy Call”).
- Drive traffic to custom landing pages with compelling CTAs and relevant offers.
Paid search helps you connect with prospects who are actively looking for the solutions you provide—making it one of the fastest ways to get more clients.
18. Build Automated Lead Funnels
If you want to scale client acquisition without scaling your team, customer journey automation is the answer.
Here’s how to build a simple funnel:
- Create a landing page that offers a free tool or resource (e.g., a website grader or SEO checklist) in exchange for contact information.
- Connect the form to a CRM, like Vendasta’s, to automatically capture and organize leads.
- Set up an email sequence to follow up with valuable content, testimonials, and next-step offers.
Vendasta’s marketing automation software makes this process seamless, enabling agencies to build scalable lead funnels that convert without manual follow-up. You can nurture leads based on their behavior, interests, or where they are in the buying journey.
Offer Free Value Upfront
In a competitive market, sometimes the best way to get more clients is to give something away first. Offering upfront value builds trust, removes friction, and gives potential clients a taste of what it's like to work with your agency before they ever sign a contract. Whether it’s a resource, audit, or trial offer, leading with value is a powerful conversion tool.
19. Publish Free Resources and Tools
Educational and actionable content positions your agency as a helpful authority. When you give away resources that solve real problems, you not only build credibility, you also generate qualified leads in the process.
Here are some proven formats:
- Downloadable guides or templates, like ad copy checklists or email nurture sequences.
- Calculators, such as ROI estimators for paid ads or lead generation costs.
- Mini-courses or video tutorials that help clients understand key marketing strategies.
Promote these tools on social media, through blog posts, and in your email signature. Gate them behind an opt-in form to grow your email list and feed your lead funnel.
20. Give Away Free Website or SEO Audits
One of the fastest ways to show value is by identifying missed opportunities—and packaging them in a way that’s easy to understand. That’s where free audits come in.
With Vendasta’s white-labelled Snapshot Report, your agency can automatically generate detailed audits that show prospects:
- Where they’re falling short online (SEO, reputation, listings, and more).
- How much revenue they might be leaving on the table.
- What actions you recommend to fix it.
This positions your agency as a strategic partner, not just a vendor. Best of all, these audits can be produced at scale and customized to each lead—helping you convert more opportunities with less manual effort.
21. Offer a “First Month Free” or No-Risk Trial
Sometimes prospects need a final push. Offering a low-friction way to get started, such as a no-risk trial or discounted first month, can help reduce hesitation and accelerate decision-making.
Here’s how to make it work:
Bundle services (like SEO + GMB management or email + social media) for higher perceived value.
Use marketing automation with the help of white-label SaaS providers, such as Vendasta, to deliver immediate impact.
Acquire More Clients Today
Getting more clients isn’t about finding a silver bullet—it’s about consistently applying the right strategies with purpose and persistence.
From refining your niche and leveraging automation to offering upfront value and activating referral networks, each of the 21 strategies we’ve explored can contribute to AI-powered customer acquisition and long-term agency growth.
And remember—you don’t have to do it alone. With Vendasta’s all-in-one customer acquisition and engagement platform, agencies can automate client acquisition. It’s everything you need to scale faster, serve better, and impress clients at every stage of the journey. Request a demo today!
FAQs on How to Get More Clients
1. What’s the fastest way to get new clients as a digital marketing agency?
The fastest route to new clients is to tap into your current network—past clients, colleagues, partners, and friends—and ask for introductions or referrals. Simultaneously, utilize targeted paid campaigns, such as Google Search Ads or Facebook Lead Ads, to drive traffic to high-converting offers, including free audits or consultations.
2. How can I scale outreach without more headcount?
Scaling doesn’t have to mean hiring more people. By integrating marketing automation and white-label fulfillment, your agency can deliver more without stretching internal resources. You can:
- Automate lead nurturing via email sequences based on user behavior.
- Trigger follow-ups after key touchpoints, such as webinar sign-ups or audit completions.
- Outsource service delivery (like SEO, PPC, or review management) to trusted white-label providers.
This approach ensures your clients receive excellent service while you focus on strategy and growth.
3. Should I niche down or stay general as an agency?
Niching down is one of the most effective ways to stand out in a crowded market. It allows you to:
- Speak your target audience’s language.
- Create tailored solutions and messaging.
- Build deeper expertise and more predictable processes.
- Attract referrals from within the industry.
Whether it’s dental clinics, home services, real estate, or legal professionals, choosing a niche can help position your agency as the go-to expert—leading to faster, easier customer acquisition.
4. What’s the best lead magnet for an agency?
The most effective lead magnets solve a real problem and showcase your agency’s value. Top-performing examples include:
- Vendasta’s Snapshot Report, which highlights gaps in local SEO, listings, reviews, and more.
- Niche-specific checklists, such as “Top 10 Marketing Must-Haves for Real Estate Agents.”
- ROI calculators for paid ads or content marketing.
- Downloadable templates (e.g., social media calendars, blog content plans).
- Free mini-audits or strategy sessions.
Promote these on landing pages, social media, and in retargeting ads to grow your list and attract qualified leads.
5. How do I know if my strategies are working?
Tracking performance is critical. Monitor key metrics such as:
- Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) and conversion rates.
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) vs. Lifetime Value (LTV).
- Click-through rates (CTR) and cost-per-lead (CPL) in paid campaigns.
- Client retention and satisfaction.
Take a look at how to calculate conversions and sales:
6. How can Vendasta help my agency acquire more clients?
Vendasta is purpose-built for marketing agencies and SaaS resellers. Here’s how it supports client acquisition:
- AI-powered CRM with AI lead scoring and customer segmentation tools.
- Marketing automation for follow-ups, drip campaigns, and audience targeting.
- Snapshot Reports to generate personalized audit reports in minutes.
- White-label marketplace for offering new services without hiring more staff.
- Reputation Management to enhance social proof and trust.
From prospecting to onboarding to fulfillment, Vendasta provides everything you need to grow your agency with confidence.
7. Should I focus more on online or offline networking?
Both play a role, but each offers distinct benefits. Online networking, such as LinkedIn, Slack communities, and webinars, helps to broaden your reach. Offline networking, such as local events, chamber meetups, and trade shows, builds stronger relationships and trust.
Combine the two for maximum impact. For example, attend Vendasta’s Ideas on Tap events to make local connections, then follow up via LinkedIn and email sequences to stay in touch and nurture relationships.
8. How often should I follow up with leads?
The best results come from timely and consistent follow-up. A general rule of thumb:
- Initial follow-up: Within 24–48 hours of a lead interaction.
- Mid-term nurture: Weekly touchpoints via email or LinkedIn over the next 2–4 weeks.
- Long-term nurture: Monthly check-ins, value-add resources, and retargeting ads.
9. What types of content attract new clients?
The right content educates, builds trust, and leads naturally into a conversation about marketing services. Focus on:
- Case studies showcasing client wins and marketing ROI.
- How-to guides solving niche-specific challenges.
- Video testimonials and behind-the-scenes agency stories.
- Webinars covering relevant trends or tactics.
- Interactive tools like assessments, quizzes, or calculators.
Create content that addresses real questions your ideal clients are already asking—then distribute it through email, social, and paid promotion to maximize reach.
10. How do I close more client deals once I have leads?
Closing starts with understanding. Tailor every pitch by:
- Researching the client’s pain points.
- Sharing relevant case studies or results.
- Recommending services that solve your prospects’ specific challenges.
- Offering a low-risk entry point, such as a first-month discount or a free Snapshot Report.
Use proposals that are visually engaging, clearly outline ROI, and include trust signals (like testimonials, certifications, or guarantees). A great close isn’t pushy. It’s confident, consultative, and client-centered.