How did you get your first client?

4 years ago

Are you looking for clients, or are you looking for a job? I guess a big client could turn into an employer, but usually the two are mutually exclusive.

In any case, to answer your question, I got my first clients through friends and family recommendations. I just started telling everyone I know that I was going into business as a marketer and writer, and it turned out several people I knew had contacts who were starting up businesses. I got a few clients that way (and turned down a few clients that way) and that's how I sort of found my momentum.

My first high paying client, on the other hand, came as the result of writing a guest post on their blog. I think that is your best bet for getting bigger clients - find a way to contribute to their marketing efforts free of charge, make connections, show them how great you are to work with, and they may just reach out to you with an offer. If not, you'll be in a much better position to create a proposal.

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Inner Machinations 4 years ago

I guess my answer would be whatever gets me started. I just want to get the ball rolling if you will.

I never thought about guest posting. Thanks for the idea
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adsterr

4 years ago

I made it through talking to a guy on FB. But now we run FB ads.

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adsterr

4 years ago

I highly Suggest you build a good product, then do list building . best way to find clients. but make sure the ads , product, lead magnet and all targets B2B Audience, not B2C if your doing B2B.

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Jason Kanigan

4 years ago

Originally Posted by Inner Machinations

I've taken one of those online courses and made a couple of spec ads, but I just don't know where to start.

I would like a full-time job, but freelancing is the only way to get started from what I understand. How did you find your first clients?

Hi, I have some questions for you...

-"one of those online courses"... on what topic?

-Are you looking for a job or for consulting gigs? You do not need to get freelance jobs prior to getting a full time job and in fact it could hurt you.

-Are you willing to approach employers directly, or will you sit back and hope ads work?

Let's get you to some clarity here.

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Inner Machinations

4 years ago

It was a course on copywriting fundamentals.

I would rather get a job because I want to be able to focus on creating more than chasing down my next gig.

That being said, I don't want to be passive
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Jason Kanigan

4 years ago

Originally Posted by Inner Machinations

It was a course on copywriting fundamentals.

I would rather get a job because I want to be able to focus on creating more than chasing down my next gig.

That being said, I don't want to be passive
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Great, glad you came back to answer--a lot of posters never do.

So we have a Copywriting subforum here and a lot of those people have solved this problem.

Also, we have an Offline subforum that's a bit more active...those folks are more brick-and-mortar types and there's quite a lot of crossover between the two.

So I recommend asking in there.

I also recommend using the "Quote" button so we know for certain who you're responding to.

As in everything:

1. Select a target market and know it well

2. Filter IN those people who are a fit

3. Warm them up about the problem you solve... method depends on their education level at the time they find out about you (see #1)

4. Make those who qualify an offer

5. Close some of those, who are a true fit.

6. Fulfill the work.

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1Bryan

4 years ago

Originally Posted by Inner Machinations

It was a course on copywriting fundamentals.

I would rather get a job because I want to be able to focus on creating more than chasing down my next gig.

That being said, I don't want to be passive
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Hi,

Your service is copywriting. Your prospects are business owners. And you are your own in-house sales rep.

That's the mindset. Go contact businesses that hire copywriters. That's all you need to focus on until you have a full-time income as a copywriter.

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strategic seo services

4 years ago

Originally Posted by Inner Machinations

I've taken one of those online courses and made a couple of spec ads, but I just don't know where to start.

I would like a full-time job, but freelancing is the only way to get started from what I understand. How did you find your first clients?

I went into areas on the internet where my target market hangs out (eg: niche forums, facebook groups, etc), and added value by answering peoples' questions and providing content that solved a specific problem that those people had. It's basically attraction marketing. You'll see that the more you're able to help people and provide value, the more people will flock to you, as people buy from others that they know, like & trust.

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chrisfect

4 years ago

I met my client 10 years ago and were still going strong up to this day

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erealmz

4 years ago

You could try FB groups, LinkedIn groups, local MeetUp events and Fiverr for starters.

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Cherie London

4 years ago

I found my first marketing client through a local business event. I live in London so there are many business meetups.

I found networking on forums, and writing blogs helpful. The highest paying clients want to know the extent of your expertise. It's best to talk to them in person or Skype where they see your face. Once you get a few clients, get testimonials and in depth case studies. The case studies conversion rates are the best for me!

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xjason2x

4 years ago

I got my first client from cold email. You can do cold emails, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram DM to get clients when you are just starting out.

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superowid

4 years ago

I got them a lot here on this forum when it was under Allen's control.

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Aloednut

4 years ago

You can leverage on freelancing sites and I recommend Fiverr to start with, if you would go for leveraging with the sites

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Jack107

4 years ago

I setup a ton of notifications on Airtasker for people looking for the type of work I offered. A number wanted everything for nothing, but landed my first, and some solid clients over time. Customised a proposal for each job too. Mundane work, but paid off in the end!

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Jamell

4 years ago

First of all what type of full time job are you looking for ?

Secondly to get clients people have to know about you.You should spend time engaging , building awareness and also communicating value to your target audience .Deliver the value build trust consistently and you are much more likely to land clients.And be patient with the process and test

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DABK 4 years ago

If you are looking for a job, you go to sites like indeed.com and post your resume there and apply.

If you are looking for a client, one way is to find wensites where the contentent is not great and tell them why and how it is hurting them and what ut should be to be great.

I have come across sites where their pages are the exact same content I found on dozens of other sites (I am assuming they hired web developers and let the web developers vome up with the content and the web developers googled similar companies in other cities and copied).

Requires time and effort, though.

Another way is to go to chamber of commerce events and make connections. Requires time and effort, though.

Have mom talk you up to the business owners there.
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Margaret Low Tremolieres

4 years ago

Hi, do you have a product or service to market or advertise to your target audience ? Or are you looking at other ways to make a living online ?

In response to your question on how I got my first client, I did FB advertising. But to advertise on FB is pretty tricky as they are so so sticky, especially for certain niches like weight loss, security gadgets, supplements, etc. Had my FB disabled twice so I decided to stop. I moved on to Microsoft advertising and gradually solo ads. But it really depends on the niche of your business (product/service) that you are in and promoting.

Good luck to you in your job hunt as well