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How to get your first client?

by Justin Ford
17 replies
Many people here start selling with luck, other advertise their products on other sites, others use forums, blogs or social media. Personally I got my first client by promoting on forums and it is more grateful. I would like to hear your stories on how you started and how you got first your clients. How long did it take you? is it art in marketing online?
#client
  • Profile picture of the author hannahlist
    I got my first client when a buddy was complaining about not getting enough list sign ups.

    I offered to give him a 'taste test' of my list traffic.

    He kept coming back because my list members were a great fit for his work at home project/offer.

    The funny thing is I wasn't even looking for such opportunities at the time.

    You have to keep your eyes peeled for money-making opportunities.

    They take many forms.

    They can take you by surprise.

    Make your own LUCK by being ready.

    The harder you work, the luckier you'll get.
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  • Profile picture of the author nlanda
    I did mass emailing to offline businesses of a video promo offer. I couldn't believe how well it worked. Not only did I sell those videos, but I also got a fair number of custom video sales, as well. Taking action is what counts most. You can sit around and plan the heck out of something, or take action and just do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author wrcato2
    I started bidding on Elance and many of my clients keep hiring me. Now I promote my copywriting service by sending sales letters and promotional material.
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  • Profile picture of the author nmwf
    I got my first three sales by asking for beta-testers. Go figure!
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  • Profile picture of the author Rajbir1994
    I got my first client for facebook page marketing. They aren't getting enough likes for their pages. And I have done that.
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  • Profile picture of the author cjsparacino123
    I got my first client through craigslist, my intial advertisement was for $99 music videos, somehow i ended up getting payed 5x that, now he hired me to shoot a documentary, go figure

    sucks that craigslist is a deadzone for me now lol
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I got my first client by bidding successfully on a job in Odesk.
    That was 5.5 years ago and I am still writing articles for the same client.
    Obviously I also have a ton of other clients and some ad hoc work too.

    So I am very happy.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author kk075
    I got my first few clients in 2003 by them stumbling across my blog on the Yahoo Contributor's Network, which would be equivalent to today's iCNN or a similar site. So if you're a writer, then start pumping out amazing articles on those bigger domains and let your market find you.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by Justin Ford View Post

    Many people here start selling with luck, other advertise their products on other sites, others use forums, blogs or social media. Personally I got my first client by promoting on forums and it is more grateful. I would like to hear your stories on how you started and how you got first your clients. How long did it take you? is it art in marketing online?
    Well I do not know if you would term them clients but I first got my start with offering CPA programs to prospects , specifically with Paid Surveys and Gpt sites


    At that time I really thought I hit it big LOL


    - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author kimwillis
    I made my first sale by running online ads (Adwords) then following up the leads offline (by phone). I made $7k in the first month using that method. (I was using Adwords when they were easy on marketers.)
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  • Profile picture of the author aarthielumalai
    I did my first sale on a warrior for hire thread. That was a time when I didn't have $20 to my name. I was still a student, and had to borrow the money from my dad.

    Worked out well though. Made $1000s in profits over the next few months. I haven't looked back since.
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  • Profile picture of the author PrettyJenny
    I tried Adwords, and direct contact and they resulted in lots of leads but none converted. I remember the first clients started to come in through Facebook and Linkedin groups, in which the majority of members being my target audience.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bigpanda
      I got my first client by looking at service websites in the writing niche and any that looked poorly put together, I'd offer to professionally design their website in exchange for referrals.

      I got someone to finally take me up on the offer and been getting several referrals per year ever since.

      I learned that building a solid relationship with other business owners in the same niche was very beneficial. I've made some great friends over the years doing this and learned a lot of tricks and tips I would have never learned otherwise without rubbing elbows.

      -BigPanda
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  • Profile picture of the author copmattbaker
    Email Marketing , I got a bunch of clients with my very 1st email blast :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author troy23
    I got mine by advertising online some MS Office software that I wrote.
    The first sale came overnight from a company in Costa Rica.
    That was in 2000 and the sales kept coming each month without fail.
    Not many countries the software has not sold in.
    It was an experiment at the time, but worked out well.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I got my first client doing direct mail. It was a crappy promotion. I was promoting to bakery shop owners across the country. And..... I was offering my services for free - for 30 days. I only got 1 phone call (out of 1000 letters sent), and she declined my free help. Nowadays most of my clients come from my email list. The proof is in the pudding with this approach since I've made money from them and continue to make money from them.
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  • Profile picture of the author hannahlist
    Don't neglect the power of your existing social network.

    Reach out to them.

    Get the word out.

    You might have to offer discounts.

    What's important is you are building your portfolio and testimonial base with a FRIENDLY CROWD.

    Scale up from there.
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