You don’t even have to say it out loud. 

I can hear your objections to doing your marketing. It’s a sixth sense from nearly 40 years as a business coach for creatives.

Because after all these years, what works to get clients hasn’t changed…

It’s connecting with real humans.

And guess what? That’s exactly what you seem to fear the most. 🫣

So today, I’d like to help you quiet the voice in your brain and start connecting, with…

4 Low-Effort Outreach Actions 
(And My Retorts to Your Objections)

1. Check your piles. 

You went to an event and came away with a pile of business cards, now collecting dust in a drawer.

Why not dig them up and reach out?

Your Objection: “It's too late. They won’t remember me.”

Reality: It's never too late, you just have to provide context. Tell them, “Wow, I just found your business card at the bottom of one of my piles! So I'm reaching out. How's tricks?” Totally relatable.

2. Check in on a past client.

Ask, “How's everything going since our last project?”

Your Objection: “That's so boring. That's so salesy.” Or, “It's too simple, it has to be more complicated than that.”

Reality: It’s just a check-in. And it could be that simple. In fact, that's what my long-time client, renowned copywriter Bob Bly does! (Just sayin’.)

3. Send a thank-you for current work. 

We don't often reach out in the middle of a project, but it's a nice surprise. 

Just say, “I know we're in the middle of something, but I just want to say I love working with you, so thank you for this opportunity.”

(Of course, it should be genuine.)

Your Objection: “Isn’t that overkill?”

Reality: Not at all. Remember it’s all about relationships. 

4. Thank someone who referred you recently. 

You got a referral but forgot to say thank you.

I give a lot of referrals, and I always appreciate when someone says thank you and tells me what happened. 

Ex. “It never actually materialized, but I really appreciate you thinking of me anyway.” 

It doesn't even have to be a project that came through. What matters most are the connections.

Your Objection: “I forgot to say thanks and now it's too late.”

Reality: It’s not too late, really! Just do it. 

And when it comes to outreach, remember this: 

You don’t need everyone to respond. You just need one good, solid project to make your efforts worthwhile and to keep the outreach going.

Don’t give up too early. If you keep at it, you will start to see your efforts pay off.

The credit for this list goes to the wonderful and very organized Reesa Del Duca, of Ballyhoo Design Co., who made a list of 20 outreach actions and shared them with the SMP+ members. Thank you, Reesa!

Watch as I share my simple definition of outreach and more tips for just getting it done in the October Office Hours for the Simplest Marketing Plan here:

Then, for a little fun, watch the "Ink Insights" cartoon recap from my friend and SMP member, the very talented Antonio Meza:

That’s all for now - thanks for reading.