Comments on: New Business? You Need That First Client, Now!!! http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/new-business-you-need-that-first-client-now/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: KC Christensen-Lang http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/new-business-you-need-that-first-client-now/#comment-4375 KC Christensen-Lang Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:26:11 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc5924#comment-4375 Hey Mike: Great ideas. Thanks for sharing. Other ideas I recommend to new business owners searching for that elusive first client include: 1. Network, network, network! Most towns have Chamber of Commerces and they offer "Business AfterHours" mixers, usually in the evening once a month. Anyone (even those not a member, go as a guest) can pop in and mingle and hand out business cards to the who's who of the community. There are also many networking groups (BNI, One More Referral, etc.) where you can visit. Get out there and spread the word! 2. Donate to a Charity Auction. You are helping a good cause and you increase your awareness as well. 3. If you have an ezine, exchange articles with another ezine editor to increase your exposure. 4. Exchange website links with another friendly website. 5. Submit an article about what you do to a local paper on a helpful topic. Or be a guest columnist. There's many more, but ya gotta start somewhere. Don't be afraid to spread the word and offer to help people. You may have a wonderful product or service, but if you are the "best kept secret" in your area, you won't get that first client and you can't help folks. Hope this was helpful, Mike...GOOD LUCK everyone! KC :) Hey Mike:

Great ideas. Thanks for sharing. Other ideas I recommend to new business owners searching for that elusive first client include:

1. Network, network, network! Most towns have Chamber of Commerces and they offer “Business AfterHours” mixers, usually in the evening once a month. Anyone (even those not a member, go as a guest) can pop in and mingle and hand out business cards to the who’s who of the community. There are also many networking groups (BNI, One More Referral, etc.) where you can visit. Get out there and spread the word!

2. Donate to a Charity Auction. You are helping a good cause and you increase your awareness as well.

3. If you have an ezine, exchange articles with another ezine editor to increase your exposure.

4. Exchange website links with another friendly website.

5. Submit an article about what you do to a local paper on a helpful topic. Or be a guest columnist.

There’s many more, but ya gotta start somewhere. Don’t be afraid to spread the word and offer to help people. You may have a wonderful product or service, but if you are the “best kept secret” in your area, you won’t get that first client and you can’t help folks.

Hope this was helpful, Mike…GOOD LUCK everyone!

KC :)

]]> By: Mike Michalowicz http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/new-business-you-need-that-first-client-now/#comment-4374 Mike Michalowicz Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:58:27 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc5924#comment-4374 @Jon - YES... YES.... YES... Always ask for referrals. Every entrepreneur needs to do that. @Jon – YES… YES…. YES… Always ask for referrals. Every entrepreneur needs to do that.

]]> By: Jon Brause http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/new-business-you-need-that-first-client-now/#comment-4373 Jon Brause Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:49:57 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc5924#comment-4373 Almost Free, YES! This recommendation is where I believe it's at in 2010. You need to prove that your product/service is valuable before you can charge top dollar. While I don't likely to lower prices just to hook the early clients, I do certainly give some free content that establishes my brand. And ALWAYS ask for referrals. Almost Free, YES! This recommendation is where I believe it’s at in 2010. You need to prove that your product/service is valuable before you can charge top dollar. While I don’t likely to lower prices just to hook the early clients, I do certainly give some free content that establishes my brand. And ALWAYS ask for referrals.

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