How to Find Your First Client and Jumpstart Your Business
Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash
When I first started out in my business I was the do-er of all things. I wrote this newsletter, built a website, posted on all the social media channels, published a weekly podcast, dabbled in YouTube. It’s what I think so many people do when starting out. 🥳
From my own experience, this way of sharing content has lots of benefits. For example, in getting comfortable in sharing your message in different formats, in figuring out what your business is all about, what you actually offer, and in getting over the icky hurdle of wondering what your friends and family think about what you’re doing.
But I have to say that it’s in hindsight that I can see all of those benefits.
What I now understand is that at the time I was bought into the rhetoric that I might ‘attract’ clients that way. And that just hasn’t been the case. It was my own wonderful business coach, Caroline Leon, who offered me a different perspective.
I tend to work with people who are (probably not) coincidentally quite like me! And for me, relationships are so important. It’s important for me to know that I can genuinely help a person with the challenge they are bringing to me, and it’s important for them to know that I’m the sort of person they want to work with. 😻
Given this, then in the beginning of your business, there is very likely an existing relationship in your life that might in fact become your first client. There is probably someone who already knows you and would want to work with you, if you let them know that you can help with a challenge they are facing. Or, if it’s not them then they may know someone. I’m reminded of that six degrees of separation statistic that I’ve heard is a lot less now due to social media. 🧐
I realise that reaching out to someone you know to ask them to be a 'client' can feel like a BIG first step, but it doesn’t need to be. They don’t need to be a paying client - you might want to gift them the session as you are starting out, or you might ask for a testimonial or some feedback in exchange. And there is so much flexibility in what and how you offer it. You might tell them that you're still figuring things out and want to get their opinion on what you're doing.
But rather than keep busy behind the scenes working on all the things that are designed for people at a distance, I think it's really key to find at least a few people closer to home already.
I’d love to know what you think and what your own experience of this is? Do you have a different experience from what I’ve shared, or do you recognise yourself in the keeping busy? Let me know in the comments below and I'll be sure to write back.