Question: How did you get your first customer?
Writing an Article About Them for Our Blog
"We nabbed our very first customer, Cutex, by first writing a blog post about them for Poshly's blog. We reached out to do an article about nails and nail care, and ended up getting the chance to tell them more about Poshly's vision in the process. They were excited by our work and ended up working with us on multiple campaigns. Engaging with customers through thought leadership can be helpful."
@DoreenBloch
Going Door to Door
"My girlfriend at the time was a designer doing some freelance work. We decided to try and setup and agency together. I pounded the pavement going from business to business asking them if they needed any services. One hired me on the second day."
@murraynewlands
Giving Away Event Leads for Meetings
"We used event leads to event venues as a means to get meetings to pitch our software. Our first customer had received a $30,000+ event from us, so they were happy to take a meeting!"
@KelseyRecht
Helping a Startup Fulfill Its First Contract
"In December 2009, I got a call in the middle of the night from one of the founders of a local healthcare startup. The company needed some serious help with its technology to be able to fulfill its first contract. I ended up working nonstop for three days to meet the goal. That startup grew into a billion-dollar company in less than four years. It became our anchor client, and we grew as it grew."
@rtslabs
Reaching Out to Friends and Family
"When I first started out, I knew I needed to grow my portfolio. I reached out to friends and family who might be in need of video production services and showed them why I would be a good choice to work with. My first customer ended up being my cousin."
@stanleymeytin
Spotting an Opportunity
"I landed my first customer before I thought about building a business. About six years ago, a friend who oversaw marketing for a medium-sized blog was venting about a company the blog hired to drive traffic and improve its content strategy. My jaw dropped when I heard how much this company was being paid. I said I could do 10 times better for one-third of the cost, and I had my first client."
@infographicwrld
Maintaining Previous Business Relationships
"My first customer was a previous employer. I never burn bridges when I end relationships. As a result, all my previous employers want to do business with me after I leave."
@joeapfelbaum
Searching on Craigslist
"My first customer came from a call for freelance writers on Craigslist. I cold pitched them. They paid me eight dollars a blog post. I stuck with it and within a few years, grew my 'hobby' into a half-million dollar business. It all started with that one client. "
@ritika_puri
Looking Locally
"People like working with entrepreneurs, especially local ones. Reach out to local potential customers and see if they would be interested in becoming a beta tester. Email them, introduce yourself and your idea, and let them know how it can help them. Be upfront that you are a startup looking to get advice. Even if they don't buy, their advice can be extremely helpful for getting other customers."
@HoeftAndrew
