Beyond Referrals: Creative Ways To Find Quality Clients

Agency Darlings

Lead generation doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending hustle. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for referrals, unsure where to find quality leads, or overwhelmed by outdated, ineffective strategies, this episode is for you.

We’re getting down to the real reasons agencies struggle with lead gen and sharing practical, creative ways to fill your pipeline - without feeling spammy or burning out. From hidden lead sources to smart outreach strategies, we’re giving you everything you need to take control of your pipeline and attract better clients.

What to Expect From This Episode

• The Biggest Lead Gen Mistakes Agencies Make – Why relying only on referrals limits growth and how to focus on strategies that actually work.
• Creative Ways to Source Quality Leads – Where to find clients outside the usual places, from niche communities to strategic partnerships.
• Turning Cold Leads Into Warm Conversations – How to approach outreach in a way that feels natural and builds real relationships.
• Lead Gen Strategies That Attract Clients to You – How thought leadership, content, and curated events position you as the go-to expert.

Key Takeaways

• Lead gen is about quality, not quantity - fewer, better leads will always win.
• Referrals are great, but relying on them limits your future growth.
• Cold outreach works when it’s personal, thoughtful, and relationship-driven.
• Your next client is probably already in your network - you just need to know where to look.
• Consistency beats panic - treat lead gen like a long-term habit, not a quick fix.

Real Talk Moments

• Why lead gen agencies that “spam” prospects are a waste of time and money.
• The red flags that tell you a potential client isn’t worth the effort.
• How a small mindset shift can make sales feel way less stressful.
• The real reason agencies struggle to raise prices - and how better lead gen solves it.
• The secret to building relationships instead of just selling.

Special Offer from Our Sponsor: Thanks to our sponsor Copper, for making this episode possible. Copper is a CRM that helps agencies attract more clients, streamline communication and deliver projects effortlessly. Exclusive to the listeners of this podcast, Copper is offering 15% off annual plans with promo code AGENCYDARLINGS, all one word. Visit this link to try Copper CRM today.

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• Email: [e-mail]

About Your Hosts:

Melissa Lohrer is the Founder of Waverly Ave Consulting, a Growth Consultancy for indie agencies. She partners with agency owners to create seven-figure growth through strategic repositioning, modern revenue models, and relationship-based sales. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Meredith Fennessy Witts is the Founder of Le Chéile, the go-to finance and strategy consultancy for creative agencies scaling beyond seven figures. She helps creative founders clarify their cash flow, restructure niche offers and pricing, and ensure they’re running a profitable business...in a mindful way. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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