Last week, my wife and I were warming up for a round of disc golf at a local park. We’re both beginners, so this was mostly about getting some practice in and enjoying the beautiful weather.
As we were throwing discs back and forth, a young guy walked up and asked me, “Is your name Carl?”
I said no, and asked if he was meeting someone to play a round.
It turns out he was a disc golf coach, waiting for his client, Carl, for a private lesson.
That immediately caught my attention. I’ve been thinking for months about how I need help improving my game, but I had no idea where to even find a coach. Disc golf isn’t exactly a sport with a ton of instructors advertising their services.
So I asked him what he charged.
“$35 an hour,” he said.
I told him he needed to raise his rates. : )
He gave a sheepish grin and said, “I know.”
But then I told him, “I could use some coaching.”
Just like that, I became his next client. We exchanged numbers, and I’ll be booking a session with him soon.
Here’s the lesson:
When you have something valuable to offer, go where your target clients already are.
He didn’t need a sales pitch. He didn’t have to hand out business cards or build a funnel. He just showed up at a place full of people who might need exactly what he has to offer.
This strategy is powerful because it flips the script: instead of trying to attract people, you insert yourself into spaces where your ideal clients are already showing up with intent, interest, or need.
This got me thinking — there are tons of businesses that could benefit from this same approach:
- Personal trainers: Go where people are already exercising — parks, gyms, running clubs.
- Dog walkers or trainers: Hang out near dog parks or pet-friendly trails.
- Freelance photographers: Go where people are already dressed up, celebrating, and posting online. Attend community events, outdoor festivals, or local markets where families, couples, and small businesses come together to make memories. Offer on-the-spot mini sessions, or share a highlight reel afterward and tag participants to build buzz.
- Music teachers: Consider attending open mic nights or visiting local music stores.
- Copywriters / Marketers: Attend small business networking groups or startup pitch nights—places where founders are overwhelmed and need help telling their story.
- Graphic Designers: Consider attending craft fairs or coworking spaces where creators may need help with logos, packaging, or branding.
- Handypeople or Contractors: Connect with realtors who often hear about renovation needs.
- Interior Designers: Visit furniture stores or home improvement shows where people are already investing in their spaces.
- Personal Chefs: Consider higher-end gyms, prenatal yoga studios, or health-focused events where busy professionals are looking for better food without the hassle of cooking it.
- Virtual Assistants: Hang out in Facebook Groups for solopreneurs or course creators—people drowning in admin work.
Sometimes, the best marketing move isn’t digital—it’s just being present, in the right place, at the right time. No cold pitch needed.
Too many business owners get stuck trying to chase down clients through social media algorithms, email funnels, or paid ads. And don’t get me wrong, these things can and do work. But they also come with a steep learning curve, constant platform changes, and the frustrating reality of trying to interrupt people who may or may not even want what you offer.
You can end up spending hours creating content, tweaking ad copy, and analyzing metrics — without landing a single client.
Meanwhile, your ideal customers are out there in the real world, walking their dogs, attending community events, browsing local shops, hitting the gym, hanging out in coffee shops, or co-working spaces. They’re already raising their hands in subtle ways, signaling interest in the exact kind of help you provide.
What if, instead of chasing them online, you just went to where they already are?
That disc golf coach didn’t need a complicated strategy. He may not even have a strategy. He just showed up. And because he was in the right place, someone (me) walked up and became a client.
So here’s the challenge:
Instead of asking, “How do I get more reach online?” try asking, “Where are my potential clients already showing up in real life?”
Then go there. Listen. Be helpful. Make some connections.
It might be the simplest marketing strategy you’ll ever try, and one of the most effective.