Scaling Your Service-Based Business: 10 Strategies for Growth and Freedom

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Strategy

Scaling Your Service-Based Business: 10 Strategies for Growth and Freedom

Marisa Murgatroyd

If you run a service-based business — whether as a coach, consultant, freelancer or agency owner — you’ve probably hit the dreaded bandwidth ceiling. There’s only so much time in a day, and scaling feels impossible without working 24/7. Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: You can grow your business without losing your sanity. In fact, with the right strategies, you can scale smarter — not harder.

I’ve coached thousands of people, from side hustlers to 7-figure earners, and today, I’m sharing 10 powerful strategies to scale your service-based business. Let’s dive in!

1. Define and Sell an Outcome

Stop selling a laundry list of tasks or services.

A woman is resting her head on a laundry bin filled with towels while lying on a bed. She appears to be tired and is wearing a floral top and black leggings. The scene suggests exhaustion or rest.

Instead, focus on delivering a specific result for your clients. People don’t care about the process; they care about the outcome.

At Live Your Message, our program Success School gives people one clear focus each month. No confusing menus, no scope creep — just the exact steps they need to move forward. The result? Better outcomes for them and less overwhelm for us.

Pro Tip: Simplify your offer. Be clear about what problem you solve and the results your clients can expect.

2. Streamline Client Onboarding

An inefficient onboarding process can cost you time and frustrate your clients. Before your first call, send a welcome email with a checklist or questionnaire to gather key info.

A printed checklist on a wooden surface, with a white pen resting on it. Each line has a checkbox, and most are checked, indicating completed tasks. The list is arranged in a neat, vertical format.

This ensures you hit the ground running.

Action Step: Use automation tools to send onboarding emails and forms. This small tweak can save hours per client.

3. Serve Only Clients You Can Help

It’s tempting to say “yes” to everyone, but working with the wrong clients will drain your energy and resources.

Instead, focus on serving a specific group of people you’re best equipped to help.

Mantra: “Saying no to the wrong clients means saying yes to growth.”

4. Use Feedback Loops

Feedback Loops help you tailor your service to meet client needs while giving the appearance of personalization. Tools like automated check-ins or progress surveys can gather valuable data and improve your client’s experience.

Example: At Live Your Message, we create personalized follow-ups based on student progress. This keeps clients engaged and ensures they feel seen and supported.

5. Simplify Your Business

Scaling requires repeatable processes. That’s impossible if you’re juggling too many types of clients and projects.

A man sits at a desk with his head in his hands, looking stressed. Around him, several hands extend various items, including a tablet, charts, a watch, and a smartphone, suggesting overwhelming demands and multitasking.

Narrow your focus to one core offer and one ideal client and master that before expanding.

Real Talk: Simplicity equals scalability. Trying to do it all will keep you stuck.

6. Add Recurring Revenue

Recurring revenue is the holy grail of scaling. Backend offers — like subscription programs or retainer packages — keep your clients engaged long after the initial sale.

Stat to Know: Existing clients are 12 times more likely to buy from you again than new leads.

Action Step: Create a natural next step for clients after their first engagement with you.

7. Fire Yourself from Low-Value Tasks

If you’re spending your days answering emails or managing admin work, it’s time to delegate. Free up your time for high-value activities like strategy and growth.

Pro Tip: Start with a virtual assistant or part-time hire for tasks like scheduling and customer support.

8. Design a Sales Experience

Hate selling? Create a pre-call experience that educates and prepares prospects. This turns the “sales” call into a simple conversation to confirm fit.

Action Step: Use videos, PDFs or automated emails to explain your services before the call.

9. Focus on Problems, Not Solutions

Three people sit at a table during a meeting. Two are smiling and facing a third person with their back to the camera. The table holds documents and a glass of water, and the setting is a bright, modern office.

Your clients don’t care how you solve their problem — they care that you understand their struggles. Make their problem the center of your messaging and adjust your approach as needed.

Reminder: Fall in love with your client’s problem, not your solution.

10. Be Coachable

The most successful entrepreneurs invest in mentorship and remain open to feedback. Scaling your business isn’t a solo journey — find the right coach, program or community to guide you.

Pro Tip: Check out our Success School, where we help business owners like you learn, practice and master the skills needed to grow.

Final Thoughts

Scaling your service-based business isn’t about working harder — it’s about working smarter. By simplifying your processes, focusing on outcomes and building recurring revenue, you can create a business that grows sustainably without burning out.

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