Welcome

You’ve got your awesome productized design service up and running in the form of a landing page with a killer case study, what’s next?—Attract clients.

No network? No ad budget? No problem

In this guide we turn our focus toward effectively attracting customers by delivering immense value. This tactic revolves around identifying your ideal customers' hangouts online and engaging with them in meaningful ways. Let’s dive into how you can make sure you’re providing targeted solutions that really resonate.

If you’ve launched your offer using The Launch Fast Formula, you already have the foundation: who you help, what problem you solve, and how to package it.

But now comes the question:

How do I consistently find the people who actually want this?

Most designers think this means cold outreach or daily content. But that’s not your only option.

This playbook is about learning to show up where your best clients already are—and becoming the obvious choice without pitching.

You’ll learn how to:

• Pinpoint your ideal market
• Understand how real people signal buying intent
• Build visibility by solving, not selling
• Show up in the right places with the right message

You won’t need a massive audience. You’ll just need clarity, consistency, and a bit of courage.

Tactic 1. Shift from Designer to Problem-Solver

Most freelance designers never fully switch out of “creative” mode.

They stay stuck thinking:

• “I just need to make my portfolio better”
• “Maybe if I post more carousels…”
• “People will find me eventually”

The problem isn’t talent. It’s perspective.

Designers who win long-term don’t just design things. They solve specific problems

This guide will help you think like a consultant, act like a guide, and show up as a trusted expert in the places your clients already hang out.

Sam vs. Bob: Why Most Designers Stay Stuck

Meet Bob

Bob’s a great designer. He’s got skills, a good-looking portfolio, and a few clients under his belt. But things are quiet now, so Bob starts “looking for leads.”

Bob’s plan?

• Post more work on Instagram
• DM a few random SaaS founders on Twitter
• Join five Slack groups but never speak

When things don’t pick up, Bob gets frustrated. He thinks the market is too crowded, that people don’t value design, or that maybe he’s just not lucky.

Now Meet Sam

Sam has the same skills. But instead of spraying his work everywhere, Sam takes time to answer a few key questions:

• What problem do I solve?
• Who has this problem right now?
• Where do they talk about it online?

Sam figures out that B2B SaaS founders with high churn are actively asking UX questions in product forums. He joins the conversation. He gives thoughtful answers. He offers advice with no pitch.

Within a few weeks, Sam starts hearing:

“This was super helpful—do you take on clients?”

The Truth

Bob’s not struggling because of talent.

He’s struggling because he’s fishing with cheeseburgers in the wrong ocean.

Sam? Sam’s using the right bait, in the right pond, with the right mindset.

If you want aligned clients, stop trying to attract everyone. Focus on becoming undeniably helpful to the people already searching for help.

Tactic 2. Market Mapping

Find your lane so clients can find you.

Why This Matters

When designers struggle to find leads, it’s rarely a skills issue. It’s a positioning problem. You’re either trying to serve too many people at once—or you’re swimming in a pool that’s too quiet.

The truth is, most buyers aren’t browsing random portfolios looking to “hire a designer.” They’re actively looking for solutions to specific problems.

That’s where you come in—but only if you know which room the conversation is happening in.

To get there, you need to map your market.