Growth4 min read
Getting your first 10 customers
Early customers come from direct, personal outreach, not ads.
Your first customers rarely come from ads or a website. They come from you reaching out directly.
Where to find them
- Your personal network: friends, former coworkers, community groups.
- Online communities where your customers gather (forums, groups, local pages).
- Direct outreach: personalized emails or messages to people who fit your target customer.
- Partners who already serve your customer (complementary businesses).
- Local events, markets, and meetups.
How to win them
- Lead with their problem, not your product.
- Offer a low-risk start: a pilot, a trial, or a guarantee.
- Deliver an outstanding experience, then ask for a testimonial and referrals.
- Follow up. Most yeses come after the second or third touch.
Track it
Keep a simple list of everyone you contact, their response, and the next step. Ten conversations a week adds up fast.