What is the best way to get clients? It depends on three questions.
A straight answer for small business owners: how to pick the channel that fits you, why direct outreach works for most, and how AI agents now do the dialling.
There is no single best channel
The honest answer is that the best way to get clients depends on three things: how quickly you need them, how much each client is worth and whether your buyers are already searching for you. Pick the channel that fits those answers, run it properly for a few weeks, and measure clients won, not activity.
Match the channel to your situation
| If this is you | Best first channel | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You have happy clients already | Referrals and introductions | Highest trust, lowest cash cost |
| You need conversations this month | Direct outreach by phone and email | You choose who hears from you and when |
| Buyers search for what you sell | Search, Google Business Profile, reviews | Captures demand that already exists |
| Each client is worth thousands | Personal outreach plus events or partnerships | Worth a high cost per meeting |
| You have a budget and a proven offer | Paid ads | Scales quickly once the numbers work |
Why direct outreach works for most small businesses
Most small businesses are not searched for by name, and they cannot outspend larger competitors on ads. Direct outreach lets you start conversations with exactly the businesses you want, on your timetable. Its weakness has always been the hours it swallows: public benchmarks suggest one live conversation per six to ten dials and about eight attempts to reach a prospect.
That is why AI calling agents are changing the answer to “what is the best way to get clients”. An agent like FoxEra Calls makes those dials, introduces your business in natural conversation, answers simple questions and records every call, so the human part of selling starts with someone who already wants to talk.
Sources: Instantly, B2B cold calling 2025 (16.6% of dials reach a live conversation; about 8 attempts to reach a prospect); Belkins, cold calling benchmarks 2026 (9.9% connect per dial, 24.5% per prospect after follow-up calls); SalesHive, cold calling KPIs (roughly 2 to 3 meetings per 100 dials). Figures are industry benchmarks, not FoxEra results; your list, offer and market decide your numbers.
Combine two channels, not ten
The businesses that grow steadily usually run one channel that brings conversations now (outreach) and one that compounds (referrals or search). Doing ten things badly is the common failure. Pick two, give each a weekly routine, and review cost per client every month.
Or ask your AI assistant to do it
You can now hand this work to the AI assistant you already use. FoxEra Calls connects to ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor and other AI agents, so you can say “add these 30 dentists and have Cass call them tomorrow at 10” and it builds the campaign, shows you exactly how many people will be phoned and waits for your yes. See how to connect your AI assistant.
Keep it legal
In the UK, marketing calls must be screened against the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and the Corporate TPS unless the person has agreed to hear from you, and you must say who you are and respect anyone who asks you to stop. Marketing emails to limited companies do not need prior consent, but emails to sole traders and some partnerships usually do. The ICO guidance on direct marketing is the authority; read our plain-English summary in is cold calling legal in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get clients?
It depends on how fast you need clients, what each is worth and whether buyers already search for you. For most small businesses the best combination is referrals plus direct outreach to a well-chosen list, with AI calling handling the dialling.
Is cold calling still a good way to get clients?
Yes, when the list is right and you follow up. Benchmarks suggest between 1 in 10 and 1 in 6 dials reaches a live conversation, and 2 to 3 meetings per 100 dials. AI calling agents now make the calls, which removes most of the time cost.
What is the best way to get clients as a new business?
Start with your network and ask for introductions, then contact a short list of ideal businesses directly and follow up. Build your website, Google profile and reviews in parallel so later clients can find you.
Can an AI assistant find clients for me?
Yes. Connect ChatGPT or Claude to FoxEra Calls and the assistant can add your leads, set up a calling campaign with your chosen agent, show you exactly how many people it will call and, once you approve, run it and report the results.