Ok, so I have a little confession to make...I have NO IDEA how I got my first client!
A lot of women ask me, “How can I find my first client?” but the more interesting question to ask is “How are successful people bringing in consistent clients?”
In the early days, I remember trying a thousand different things hoping that just one would work, and in the end, I don’t even remember how I landed that first high-end client. (Even though I remember her well!)
Getting a first client is all trial and error. Hopes and prayers.
Getting a steady stream of clients is about systems, processes and consistency. And luckily, these things are replicable!
In the beginning getting clients felt random, unclear and uncertain. Now, I’m building a well-oiled business machine that will deliver a steady stream of amazing high-end clients and will also enable me to serve those clients better than ever before!
(Psst...want to discuss how to create your very own well-oiled business machine that brings you full-time income with part-time hours? I’m accepting applications now for a handful of 1x1 coaching spots for Summer 2018. Apply here.)
So, I may not be able to tell you how I got my first client, but I can tell you exactly how I’m getting my clients now — 3 years in to my business and generating 6-figures. That’s a much more interesting conversation to have, right?
That’s the process I want to share with you today to eliminate the guesswork that stalls out many new entrepreneurs.
And that process hinges on one thing and one thing alone…
Having conversations.
In the early days of your business, your single aim should be to have conversations about the work you do as often as possible. (It’s that simple. But not necessarily easy!)
Tell your friend. Your mom. Your friend’s mom. Your yoga teacher. The checkout girl. Your mailman. The guy that cuts your hair. Your kid’s teacher. Gush about the amazing work you do and your awesome business to anybody and everybody. Not in a braggy way, but in the genuinely excited way you truly feel about it.
Beyond that, you should be consistently inviting as many potential clients as you possibly can to have Connection Calls with you.
Invite the people on your email list, invite friends/family/acquaintances/neighbors, invite people in your Facebook Group and other people’s Facebook Groups (if allowed!), invite FB friends, invite your followers on Instagram, invite your LinkedIn connections and your Twitter and Pinterest followers.
Create an open, standing invitation for those who are interested in exploring working with you to talk to you personally!
I’m going to be super honest here, in the beginning you’re going to have a lot of conversations that (appear to) lead nowhere. But, this is about practice, not perfection. It’s about seed planting and playing the looong game. You’ve got this!
The more you talk about your business, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to clearly communicate what you do, and before you know it your conversion rate will start to increase, and these conversations will lead to clients more and more often.
The trickle will turn into a steady stream!
Hear this please. If you’re new, one-on-one is the BEST PLACE to start. If you’re established, one-on-one is the best place to double down to rapidly increase profits before you scale.
And 99% of the time, one-on-one work starts with a friendly conversation.