Introduction
If you’ve started a business or are thinking about taking the leap, one thing is clear: getting your first 10 clients is often the hardest step.
Stripe, one of the biggest payment providers, states in a recent article that getting your first 10 clients is hard but crucial work. Those first customers help refine your product, provide valuable feedback, and build the social proof you need to grow.
Last week I talked about the dangers of getting stuck in planning mode.
And following on from that, this week, I want to show you exactly what a clear path forward toward landing your first 10 clients and building a successful business looks like.
Step 1 – Understand Why Getting Your First 10 Clients is Tough
Getting your first clients is hard because you’re operating without proof, a system, or momentum. You might have an idea, a service, or even a small following — but until people start saying yes and your processes are tested, everything feels uncertain.
Key things to focus on in this first stage:
- Test your first processes: Take the initial steps to reach prospects, make offers, and see what works. This is your first iteration, not the perfect version.
- Gather data to refine: Every conversation, email, or outreach attempt gives you insights. Use this information to improve your approach.
- Build foundational habits: Show up consistently, follow through on the actions you’ve committed to, and develop the discipline to move forward even when results aren’t immediate.
Landing your first clients gives clarity, builds confidence, and creates momentum. These early wins are the foundation for long-term growth.
Step 2 – Identify Your Ideal Client
Knowing exactly who you’re helping makes all the difference.
Without clarity, your efforts scatter, and progress stalls.
- Define your target audience: who they are, what challenges they face, and the results they want.
- Dive into their pain points and desires — it helps you craft offers and messages that actually connect.
- Build a clear client avatar to guide every outreach and marketing decision.
Step 3 – Craft Your First Offer
Getting your first 10 clients requires a simple offers that should, actionable, and compelling to your prospects.
Don’t overcomplicate it.
- Focus on solving a specific problem for your ideal client.
- Set a price that reflects the value, while encouraging early clients to say yes.
- Make your offer irresistible by highlighting clear outcomes, benefits, and why it’s worth the investment.
Step 4 – Start Having Meaningful Conversations
Every business, no matter the type — service-based, bricks-and-mortar, or online — grows through meaningful conversations.
Bringing new customers into your business always starts here.
- Believe in yourself: Understand the value you bring. Confidence in your abilities and your offer is the foundation for authentic conversations.
- Get comfortable with your message: You need to know your offer inside and out and be able to share it clearly.
- Handle feedback with ease: Feedback will come in all forms — good, bad, indifferent. Learning to respond without fear is a huge step toward growth.
- Stand out: Avoid blending in. Your unique perspective and approach are what attract clients. Don’t be afraid to be different.
This is a crucial part of building your business.
In fact, this is one of the core pillars much of my coaching focuses on: helping new business owners become confident, authentic, and resilient in their conversations.
Mastering this step transforms uncertainty into action, making it easier to attract clients and grow your business.
Step 5 – Deliver Value and Build Trust
Your first clients are more than revenue — they’re proof your system works.
- Focus on making them successful. Testimonials and case studies follow naturally.
- Put repeatable systems in place for tracking progress and outcomes.
- Encourage referrals — your first clients often lead to the next ones.
Step 6 – Track Progress and Build Your System
Consistency and tracking are what turn effort into results. By reflecting on your actions, you can start building a system that works for your business and your style.
This is a core pillar of my coaching: by working on one piece of the puzzle at a time, you gain clarity on the steps that actually move the needle toward landing clients.
Key actions to focus on:
- Measure your efforts: Track conversations, calls, emails, and other client-facing actions each week.
- Refine and improve: Repeat what works, adjust what doesn’t, and gradually build a repeatable system.
- Celebrate wins: Each client, conversation, or milestone is proof your system is effective and momentum is growing.
BONUS – Why Doing It All Alone Can Cost You Time, Money, and Confidence
Many new business owners feel stuck because they try to do everything themselves, which makes getting your first 10 clients much harder than it needs to be.
The problem? Wasting time on tasks that feel productive but don’t actually bring in clients.
Some common mistakes include:
- Chasing perfection instead of action.
- Jumping between ideas, channels, and strategies without focus.
- Waiting to “learn everything” before starting.
At a point, don’t do it all alone.
There’s no point reinventing the wheel.
Many others have trodden this path before you, and seeking guidance from the right people can save you time, energy, and money while helping you build something solid from the start.
How the First 10 Clients System Helps
Outlined above are all the steps you need to start making progress toward landing clients. But where do you actually start?
There’s so much uncertainty and so many options. The First 10 Clients system is designed to help you navigate this transition smoothly and effectively.
It helps you:
- Gain clarity on what’s most important to you and the business you’re trying to create.
- Identify the immediate steps, hurdles, and obstacles you need to tackle.
- Take one step at a time toward becoming the person who has successfully landed their first 10 clients.
It’s about accountability, building certainty, and developing the habit of reflection.
It’s about taking imperfect action and having the guidance and support you need to grow into a confident, capable, and successful business owner.
The Benefits You’ll Experience
Working through this system allows you to:
- Follow a clear weekly rhythm of actions instead of dabbling or over-researching.
- Create content and outreach that actually attracts paying clients.
- Track results so you know which actions lead to success.
- Build monthly game plans that provide certainty in your next steps.
- Save time, money, and energy by focusing only on what drives results.
By the end of the process, you’re not just making progress — you’re becoming the kind of entrepreneur who consistently lands clients and grows a business that provides both time and financial freedom.
My Journey and Credibility
I know what it’s like to feel stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure where to start. My transition from corporate to running a coaching business gave me firsthand insight into the struggles early-stage business owners face.
Back in 2018, I had a corporate career that looked perfect on paper—I had the house, the car, and a stable job leading a customer experience team—but deep down, I knew this wasn’t the life I wanted.
I dreamed of freedom, meaning, and building something of my own. It took me two years too long to make the leap, but when I did, everything changed.
I learned what it truly takes to turn an idea into a business that works, and now helping early-stage business owners get their first 10 clients is at the heart of what I do.
Over the last seven years, I’ve built a system that removes guesswork, provides accountability, and turns effort into measurable results. I’ve helped clients like:
- Jack, who launched his Instagram and began attracting paying clients after overcoming fear of posting content.
- Robert, who secured four paying clients while balancing a full-time pilot training schedule.
- Chris, who built confidence in cold calling and created a repeatable system to generate revenue and freedom.
These successes are all based on the same principles that guide you through getting your first 10 clients: clarity, structure, action, and support.
Take the Next Step
Getting your first 10 clients doesn’t have to be guesswork. With the right system, guidance, and accountability, you can start taking meaningful steps immediately.
Ready to get started? Click the link below to book a complimentary call and see how the First 10 Clients system can help you take your next step.
