How to Get Clients—Even If You Don’t Have Power or Internet

Business doesn’t stop when life throws challenges our way.

Right now, here in Queensland, we’ve just been hit by Cyclone Alfred. While I’ve been fortunate—just some heavy rain and wind—many people around me haven’t been as lucky. Roads are flooded, power is out, and for some, business has completely stalled.

But here’s the thing—storms happen in business too.

Sometimes they’re literal, like a cyclone (or a hurricane for my North American friends), and sometimes they’re unexpected business challenges—cash flow issues, sudden client cancellations, a tech outage, or a slow sales week.

So the real question is: How do you keep your business moving forward when everything around you feels out of control?

Whether you’re currently dealing with a natural disaster or just want to be prepared for future disruptions, here are 10 simple, no-tech ways to keep generating clients—even if you have no power or internet.

If You Can Get Out & Have Power (No-Tech Ways to Get Clients)

1?? Pick Up the Phone & Reconnect – Call 10 past clients or leads. Check in, see how they’re doing, and let them know you’re available if they need anything. Genuine conversations often lead to new business.

2?? Drop By & Say Hello (Only if it’s safe!) – If you work with local clients, visit a past customer, a referral partner, or a business contact. A face-to-face conversation is more powerful than another email in their inbox.

3?? Ask for Referrals (The Right Way) – Instead of a vague “Do you know anyone?”, try: ?? “I’ve got space for 3 new clients this month. If you know someone who could use [your service], I’d love an introduction!”

4?? Leverage Local Community Spaces – If your home or office is out of action, work from a café, co-working space, or library. These places are full of people—aka potential connections.

5?? Write a Handwritten Note – Send a thank-you card to a past client or a personal note to someone you’d love to work with. No one does this anymore, which is exactly why it works.

If You’re Flooded In & Have No Power (Still No-Tech, Still Bringing in Clients)

1?? Use Your Mobile (While the Battery Lasts!) – A quick call or SMS to your best clients or leads can go a long way. Ask how they’re doing—business and life-wise—and keep relationships warm.

2?? Write Out Your Next 5 Clients – Who are the next 5 people who should be working with you? Jot their names down, and when power is back, they’ll be the first people you reach out to.

3?? Plan a Referral System (Pen & Paper Style) – Write down a list of people who could refer clients to you. When things settle, you’ll be ready to ask for introductions in a way that feels natural and useful to them.

4?? Draft a “Welcome Back” Offer – If business has slowed, plan a simple promo for when things return to normal. A “Post-Storm Check-In” special or a limited-time deal can help bring in fresh leads fast.

5?? Visualise & Prepare Your Comeback Plan – This won’t last forever. Use this downtime to sketch out what you’ll do first when power returns. Write a short script for follow-up calls, map out a networking strategy, or draft your next social media post on paper.

Final Thoughts

Disruptions happen.

Whether it’s a storm, a system failure, or a rough patch in business, those who keep taking action—no matter the circumstances—are the ones who win. The key is to focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t.

Which of these will you try first? Drop a comment and let me know!

John Bellamy

...And if you do have power and want to use this time to put proper systems in place for a more predictable client flow, let’s chat about the Small Business Growth Accelerator—so you never have to rely on random outreach alone.