Finding new clients is the lifeblood of any consultant, freelancer, or small business owner. But now, in the digital fast era, you no longer have to go door-to-door searching for leads or sit in traffic jams for a couple of hours to go to networking events. Be you’re working at home or from a vibrant coworking location, there are proven ways to build your client base in Kenya – all from home.
Today, we’re going to talk about practical tips that align with the present digital scene in Kenya and include the benefit of being in a coworking space. You’ll also see how getting access to shared workspaces can help you get more clients, without ever leaving your laptop behind.
Let’s dive into how to build a client list that serves you, with no commute required.
1. Optimise your online presence:
Your digital footprint is your contemporary storefront. What does a person see when they Google your name or business? What do they find?
Action Steps:
- Create a professional LinkedIn profile and keyword-optimise using local terms (e.g., “graphic designer Nairobi” or “digital marketer Kenya”).
- Build a simple website or portfolio featuring your work, prices, and testimonials.
- Use a branded email (not Gmail or Yahoo) for professionalism.
When working from a coworking office, you are likely to have the privilege of high-speed internet, virtual call conference rooms with clients, and an office environment that elevates your business presentation. A professionally curated online presence indicates expertise and authenticity, especially when supported by client testimonials, credentials, and consistent branding.
2. Use local freelance platforms:
In addition to international platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, Kenya has seen the growth of niche job platforms and freelance websites, for example:
- Kuhustle: This platform places freelancers with companies seeking technology and creative solutions.
- Ajira Digital: A government initiative that provides Kenyans with digital job opportunities
- BrighterMonday: Originally job-centric, now it contains freelance work and consulting contracts.
Freelancers operating out of spaces like Diba Studios are likely to enjoy a better edge by harnessing peer referrals and mentoring, making them more impressive when pitching.jjh
3. Use coworking communities as client pools:
Perhaps the most overlooked advice: Your future client could be sitting across the room.
Coworking facilities are crowded with startups, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and small business owners — some of whom require creative, technical, or administrative assistance. Regardless of whether you provide content writing, branding, or software development services, begin by introducing yourself to other coworkers.
Diba Studios, for instance, fosters community through organising:
- Networking coffee breaks
- Pitch sessions and project demonstrations
- Business cards on communal community boards
Coworking spaces put you alongside prospective customers organically. It’s networking without the embarrassment or the travel time.
4. Cold outreach with a local flavour:
Cold outreach still works if you personalise it and offer value. Instead of sending generic emails, tailor each message based on the recipient’s needs. Focus on businesses in Kenya that align with your skills, such as:
- SMES looking to grow their online presence
- NGOS in need of design or administrative services
- Startups looking to scale operations or branding
Use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and company websites to identify potential clients. Having an office on rent or offices available for rent means that you have access to meeting rooms where you can pitch over Zoom or face-to-face.
Quick Tip: Include a link to your portfolio, referrals, and give a free consultation or audit to get the door open.
5. Join local digital communities and forums:
If you’re not part of an online community, you’re missing free promotion. Facebook groups, WhatsApp groups, Reddit forums, and Telegram channels have become Kenya’s largest business hubs.
Look out for groups like:
- Digital Marketing Kenya
- Nairobi Freelancers Network
- Kenya Business Community
Give helpful insights, answer questions, and share content. People will start looking up to you as an authority in your niche, and when they need help, you’ll be the first person who comes to mind. Even better, if you’re part of a shared workspace, your fellow members may already be part of these groups and can invite you in directly.
6. Offer free workshops or webinars:
Trust is established by education. Conducting a short virtual session (on Google Meet or Zoom) about your area of expertise is a good method to acquire clients.
Sample session ideas may look like:
- “How to Grow a Small Business on Instagram in Kenya”
- “Website Tips for Startups with Limited Budgets”
- “Why Your Brand Needs Local SEO in 2025”
When hosted from a coworking space, you can:
- Have access to good lighting and a professional background
- Use high-speed internet for seamless streaming
- Record sessions for repeat use in later marketing efforts
You can even host together with other members, creating additional engagement and cross-promotional chances.
7. Make your workspace your marketing tool:
Where you work says a great deal about you. Blogging about or discussing stories of your coworking place not only builds social credibility but also silently advertises your professionalism.
Pictures or a video from a lively work area like Diba Studios, posted with something along the lines of:
“Productivity level 100 in my go-to Nairobi coworking space”
“Wrapping up a client deck from this cosy co-space work hub before our Zoom call “
Such content generates curiosity, depicts consistency, and encourages conversations, particularly when accompanied by local hashtags and geotags.
8. Emphasise long-term client relationships:
When you secure a client, cultivate the relationship. Consistently deliver excellence, communicate honesty, and exceed expectations. Satisfied customers are your best word-of-mouth resource and have a higher percentage of referring you to their community of contacts.
The added advantage of working within an open workplace setting is observability. Where your work ethic is seen directly, it helps build genuine credibility and produces unforeseen referrals coming from others immediately around you. Word-of-mouth is still one of the most powerful indicators of trust in Kenya. Your network is your net worth, even online.
Final thoughts: You don’t have to leave your desk to grow
Kenya’s digital economy in 2025 is robust, and the prospects are everywhere , if you know where (and how) to look. Whether you’re operating from home, a co-working facility, or a temporary office on rent, you can acquire and convert clients with a smart, modern strategy.
Here’s the rundown:
- Build a good online presence
- Use local freelance platforms
- Harness your co-space working community as a client base
- Offer free value through content or workshops
- Engage in active digital communities
- Be regular and nurture relationships
If you’re looking for a coworking space that offers you more than a mere office desk — from business opportunities to mental wellness — Diba Studios is the perfect location to build, connect, and thrive.