Minisode: Non-Traditional Ways We’ve Found Business

mgraziano45
2 days ago
3 min read

This isn’t a boring rundown of “how to find business” with all the methods you’ve heard before. In this mini episode of Adventures in Business, Mandi and Amani share the non-traditional ways they’ve looked for or secured new business – and the stories behind them are just as valuable as the strategies themselves. If you’re ready for gems and nuggets on how to creatively market yourself, read on!

Keep Your Antenna Up: Opportunities Are Everywhere

Mandi’s advice? Keep your antenna up. Stay alert, because opportunities are everywhere.

Her story will inspire you to do just that. While watching a reality show, Mandi spotted someone who fit her ideal client profile. Most people would move on… but not Mandi. She tracked the person down, called multiple times (13, to be exact!), and eventually landed a long-term client.

It’s a great reminder that business is everywhere – but only if you’re paying attention. Don’t be afraid to make the call, send the email, and follow up (more than once!).

Use Free Value as a Gateway

Amani shares a strategy that’s worked for him and many others: hosting free webinars. By offering valuable insights related to his expertise, he creates a natural pathway for potential clients to discover him, learn from him, and eventually book a call or hire him. He’s had one or two people hire him from each webinar.

And even if attendance fluctuates, showing up regularly builds trust and trust drives business.

Don’t Forget Your Inner Circle

One of Mandi’s most effective strategies is simply asking your loved ones for help. In the past, she has sent an email with a bold subject line: “What the heck does Mandi Graziano do anyways?”

It hooks people, and inside, she clearly explains what she does, who she helps, and how people can refer her. And then, importantly, she asks: “How can I support you?”

The result has been a ripple effect of referrals that turned into years of business and multiple new connections.

Remember, your friends and family want to help – they just need to know how!

Relationships Happen in Unexpected Places

Amani shares another creative example: talking about his work in everyday settings. A casual conversation with an improv teammate led to a referral… which turned into a client. You never know who’s listening, or who they know. Sometimes, just being open about what you do is enough to spark opportunity.

Conferences Are Goldmines

Conferences are goldmines for connection… if you approach them with intention. Amani uses conferences to build relationships, explore job opportunities, and meet online connections in person. But Mandi’s key tip for making the most of it is to have a plan.

Before attending, ask yourself:

Am I here to learn or to grow my business?
Who do I want to meet?
What’s my pitch?

And don’t forget pre-conference outreach, meaningful conversations during, and follow-up afterward. Without a strategy, networking can feel random… but with one, it becomes effective.

Visibility Is the New Marketing Strategy

Finally, Mandi and Amani highlight a major shift in marketing strategy today: visibility is now more than just traditional advertising or plastering your business on a billboard.

Effective visibility today can include:

Hosting or guesting on podcasts
Showing up on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram
Speaking on panels
Running webinars

Did you know that more than half of people in the U.S. are listening to podcasts? That means if you’re not leveraging podcasts in some way – hosting, guesting, or even advertising – you’re missing a huge opportunity.

Once you’ve made yourself visible, be sure you have a clear call to action. Tell people exactly what to do next – whether that’s book a call, download a resource, or connect with you.

Do you have a non-traditional way you’ve found business to add to our list? Leave us a comment below – and share this episode with a friend who might benefit from it!