How To Build Your First Client Base?

Building a client base can often be challenging, especially for new business owners. Getting your first client can be tricky without having a proven track record or any other reference. No matter how talented or experienced you are, you may still face challenges when building a client base. Many people consider making new clients more complex than making new friends. There is no clear-cut path to getting high-value clients. It is a process, and you will have to make certain efforts in order to gain your first prospect. Here, we have shared a step-by-step guide on how you can build the first client base.  

Seek referrals and endorsements from past employers

If you’re transitioning from a job to the entrepreneurship sector, you must consider seeking referrals from your past employers. They may have worked with you full-time and would be well-versed in your capabilities. They can serve as a good reference for your future endeavors. It has often been observed that your past employer could also be a potential client. Therefore, you should maintain good and positive relationships with them.  

Ask them to share references or referrals so that they can help you get your first client. It may not be easy for everyone to get contacts from past employers. Therefore, you could also ask your colleagues to share their referrals and expand your business.

Connect with other businesses

The other way you could build your client base is by connecting with other businesses. You could consider reaching out to other companies in your area with whom you can collaborate. For instance, if you offer digital marketing services, you could consider connecting with companies that provide web development. There are chances that you may get certain referrals from your potential partners.

There are chances that the business partner may be interested in your services. Therefore, it is essential that you network or attend different business events for better networking. Networking will provide you with an opportunity to connect with experts and mentors. It will allow you to find a reliable mentor who may further help you in building your client base and network. Therefore, you should make this a practical part of your strategy and should be open to collaborations and partnerships.

Target a specific client base

It is necessary that you focus on researching the target audience and the client base that you wish to target. For instance, if you’re offering digital marketing services and have knowledge of the fashion industry, you could limit your clients. You could only target fashion designers and fashion entrepreneurs in such a case.

Therefore, you should list the services and clients you wish to target. Besides this, you could also consider targeting clients from a specific geographic area. It could be national or international, depending on your skills. Having an understanding of the client base will ensure that you’re targeting the right group.  

They will allow you to target and market your campaigns accordingly. When you’re well-versed with the potential client base, you will have an understanding of their behaviors and characteristics. It will ensure that your advertising and marketing campaigns are much more effective and targeted.

Offer referral incentives

The other way to get your first client base or expand it could be by offering them referral incentives. This will work as a motivation, and more people will be interested in spreading the word about your business.  

You could consider offering them a commission, sharing certain rewards or gifts, or offering discounts on your products or services. It is an effective strategy, and you can consider making this a part of your plan. However, be very specific about the incentives and rewards. In the initial phase, it is critical to take all the decisions carefully.

You will have to consider financial and other aspects before making any promise. Any wrong decision could lead to losses and debts, which can be harmful to the business. Moreover, making false promises could also harm your reputation. Therefore, you should consider getting help from an expert to have a better understanding and decide on the incentives carefully.

Use social media to reach your potential clients

Regardless of the size, many businesses consider using social media to create awareness about their brand. Social media is a cost-effective tool that could help you create awareness and build engagement. You can consider using platforms according to the reach and type of your audience.  

For instance, if you’re offering coaching and business-related services, your first preference should be LinkedIn. You should focus on creating high-quality content that catches their attention and helps you gain more clients.  

Share knowledge

Besides posting on social media, you should also focus on sharing more relevant and educational content online. You can participate in public speaking events, create a newsletter, share an e-book, or create videos for different platforms. All these ideas can work effectively and may help you reach your potential clients.

Sharing knowledge is one of the most effective ways to build your audience and client base. Therefore, you should research well and keep a check on the latest industry trends. Make sure that you follow up with the industry reports and statistics to create relevant and shareworthy content for different platforms. The more people share your content, the more likely you will be to gain new clients.

You should take your time and research well before sharing anything. Sharing wrong pieces of information could also harm your reputation and could become a challenge. This may impact your ability to gain new clients.

How to get clients?

While aiming to find potential clients, you should keep the following two things in mind:

• Have the right mindset
• Getting new clients is not an instant deal

When dealing with new and potential clients, it is necessary to have the right mindset and approach. You should aim at building and strengthening your relationship with your client. You should also take some time to understand the client and their working pattern. They may have different thought processes, which could even become a challenge. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the clients and their approach well.

Moreover, you should note that closing a client is never an instant deal. At times, clients may have different goals, objectives, budgets, and approaches. Therefore, you should keep in mind that client closing is a continuous process. Most potential clients even avoid communicating and giving clarity, and you may have to follow up with them a lot of times. Therefore, you should have patience and stay calm while looking for new clients.

Never lose your motivation and continue with your efforts. Research well and learn about the client first before making any move. Make your strategies and plans according to the client type and industry to build sustaining relationships with your clients.