How did you get your first customer/client?
I have been working hard on trying to get my first client and or customer and haven't been able to gain any support, how did you get your first? To give some background I am in the desktop sector and print marketing. I choose this as I am passionate in design and enjoy creating things.
Before I built anything for Muna, I contacted people from my network and asked them questions. I wrote a bit about this process too.
I followed up with some rudimentary prototypes and asked some more questions, listened and adapted the product accordingly.
Some of these interviewees became the first customers.
I am now still contacting people from my network and, if not a good fit, asking them for referrals instead. Key is to be active in these early stages. Passive outreach, eg. blogposts, tweets, Instagram often are not a good source for your first customers.
Thanks for sharing eelco your article was a very insightful read. I will definitely be trying to reach out to some of my network and be asking questions, since I don't have a big network I think I will also be asking local business owners for their insight as well.
Ads.
Adwords = services
Facebook ads = physical products
PH Sponsors/Quora Ads = Saas
My first successful company is selling services and we got our first client through adwords in just 2 days since launched. 😱
That's a nice list you did there, thank you! Will try out Quota next for my SaaS
One thing about Quora you might be interested in:
You can’t only post ads there, but also just write answers. If you just google ‘Quora Marketing’ you’ll find that a lot of people use the platform without posting ads. But it’s way more long term.
Here's a few things to consider:
Focus on one very specific area of your work and/or one very narrow niche in your market. Position yourself as an expert in that focused area.
Network. Many people get their first clients through their network. Ask around if anyone needs help or if anyone can introduce and recommend you to someone.
Build your (and your company's) presence: put out free content, speak on events, meet other people in your niche (including competitors). It will take time but it will pay off and you'll learn a lot through it.
If you're doing creative or strategic work I'd go even as far as finding a few potential ideal clients and prepare a specific proposal for them how you would help them (e.g. a brief about a print campaign created specifically for them) - this will guaranteed make you stand out and they'll talk to you (if your proposal is good).
Hope this helps.
/m
Thanks Matis, I have been looking towards realtors as they still use a lot of printed marketing materials in their dealings. However, I am thinking of ditching that idea and just solely focusing on postcards with mail marketing.
If you are freelancing, and not going down the SaaS product route, I always suggest people try and get a former employer as a client.
Sometimes the opening conversation might be awkward but if you had a good relationship with them as a full-timer you might be surprised by the opportunities that can come up.
I'd like to say that I've been struggling with this as well with software consulting. Just as a curiosity, what have you been doing to try and find potential leads?
I have been using instagram mostly and focusing on contacting realtors, I have gathered 5 potential leads but haven't been able to successfully convert them. I am changing my attack a little and have just been posting on instagram to see if any leads approch me instead of the other way around.
I've announced our project pre-launch here on IH and we found someone interested by the product, ready to give us money because it was valuable.
Thanks IH. :)
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