The Hardest Customers Are the First Ones
Getting your first 100 customers is the most challenging phase of any business. You have no brand recognition, no reviews, no case studies, and often a limited budget. But it’s also the phase that determines whether your business survives. Here’s a practical playbook.
Weeks 1-2: Foundation
Set up your digital presence: professional website (even a simple one-page site), Google Business Profile, social media profiles on 2-3 platforms, and email collection capability. Don’t wait for perfection — launch and iterate.
Weeks 2-4: Personal Network
Your first customers almost always come from people you know. Tell everyone what you’re doing. Ask for introductions. Offer friends-and-family pricing to build your initial customer base and review profile. This isn’t charity — it’s seed marketing.
Month 2: Local Marketing
Join local business groups, attend networking events, partner with complementary businesses, and start building local visibility. Google Business Profile optimization can drive organic leads within weeks for new local businesses.
Month 2-3: Content and Social
Start creating content that demonstrates your expertise: blog posts, social media content, short videos. This builds credibility and starts attracting organic attention. Focus on being genuinely helpful rather than promotional.
Month 3+: Paid Advertising
Once you have a working website and some social proof (reviews, testimonials), test paid advertising with a small budget. Google Ads for high-intent searches and Facebook/Instagram ads for awareness. Start with $500-$1,000/month and optimize based on results.
The Key: Provide Exceptional Service
Your first customers become your marketing foundation through reviews and referrals. Treat every early customer like gold. Over-deliver on every project. Their word-of-mouth is worth more than any ad campaign.
