It’s time to land your very first client as an entrepreneur. You’ve weighed up the pros and cons and decided to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Firstly, congratulations! This is a big move, and one I hope you’ll find really rewarding. Second, let’s take a deep breath. From defining what services, you want to offer, to locating potential clients, here’s how to get your first client.
Choosing The Products and Services, You’ll Offer
Before you seek out your first client, it’s worth sitting down to figure out the products & services you will (and will not) offer. If the clients you work with are non-technical, they may assume that you can, and will, do anything that seems to be your area of expertise to them. If it’s a product, clearly mention them what is covered in your sale and what not.
Failing to set boundaries around the services you’ll offer can lead to a couple of undesirable outcomes:
- Your client is disappointed and confused when you push back on certain tasks.
- You feel pressure to do work you really don’t want to do.
The best way around this problem is to clearly outline the kinds of services you provide. Think about all the possible tasks a client could ask you to do and add any you’d be happy to take on to the list. Or think about the services you don’t want to offer.
Finding Your First Client Through Personal Networks and Former Employers
Your first client will usually be someone you already know. Without a list of previous clients or a portfolio of client work, all you’ve got to bank on is your reputation. In this early stage of your entrepreneurship, your reputation is strongest within your personal networks.
Learn More : How to Avoid New Business Opportunity Scams
In many ways, the ideal first client is a former employer. You already have domain expertise in the industry, you know their business, they have experience working with you in the past, and they trust you (assuming your working relationship ended on good terms).
Family & Friends will usually do their best to connect you with opportunities. This is where having a good understanding of the services you want to offer is important. Sometimes the connections you’ll gain through friends will be great.
Local Startup / Business Communities and Events
Events frequently have time set aside for attendees to pitch their company, startup, or themselves. It might be nerve-wracking, but pitching your business at an event can be a great way to land potential clients. Especially your first client.
Read More : Golden Rules for Dealing with International Clients
Just focus on trying to meet people and network. Conversations between people who’ve just met almost always include the ‘what do you do?’ question, which is a perfect opportunity to mention that your startup business. If the person you’re talking isn’t your first client, he or she might know someone who does. Fortunately, this will usually unfold naturally in the conversation without needing to pitch your services directly.
Develop Your Businesses Social Media Presence
Social media can be used to find clients, and to build up your thought leadership: the perception that you’re an expert in your field. If you want to use social media for this purpose, then you may need to curate what you publish.
Use All Kinds of Marketing Channels
If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you’ll find that word of mouth and referrals are your most important marketing channels. In fact, many startups and business who’ve been doing good work for several years find that they don’t need to put any effort into marketing. Clients find them!
Also Learn : Why Video Testimonials are important for Businesses?
It turns out that the methods you use to find your first client can be used to find your first 10, 50, or 100 clients. Find out what works for you, and repeat the process. Cheers!
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