As a business owner, you find yourself just about introducing a new item to the market. Here is the ultimate guide on how to land your startup’s first customer. Be it a revolutionary gadget, a cutting-edge service, or a game-changing solution, the anticipation of its release fills the air. It may or may not have been released (but it’s coming soon).
But what happens next?
Now is the time to sell. Now it’s time to acquire customers. Maybe two. Or 100. Or a thousand. Now is the time to act. How can you turn this anticipation into action and, more importantly, into sales?
Let’s take a deeper dive into the journey of launching and selling your new product.
If your product is not launched yet then it is important to keep some things in mind before launching them in the market:
- No products are available for consumer use.
- Lack of dedicated personnel for product development.
- Lack of content and marketing resources.
- No contracts, proposal forms, or sales decks.
How do you land your first customer?
I’m sorry to oversimplify, but there are a lot of people who overcomplicate everything.
How do you start selling? How do you get started?
- Read here about how you plan an MVP.
Why You Should Make the First Sale Yourself Before Hiring Salespeople
Unfortunately, please do not hire anyone to handle sales yet. As a founder, you need to make the first sale or the sale yourself. If you feel it is necessary to hire someone to sell then I urge you to stop. Founders’ approach to sales
- Hiring salespeople should be avoided.
- Before hiring, founders must close their first deal.
- Co-founders with experience in sales are encouraged.
- For the first few sales, no prior sales expertise is required.
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a co-founder with sales experience – which is fantastic! – I believe founders should do the initial sale before hiring someone else to do it. It is not necessary to have prior sales experience to begin initial sales for your company.
Why Getting Your First Customers Matters More Than Fancy Tools
Listen! Avoid getting distracted by attractive things. Whether you have an auto-dialer, CRM, or marketing automation platform is not the main thing. Don’t waste time on such distractions. Trust me, things will work out eventually. Focus on what matters: getting your first customers. Don’t let the processes and tools overwhelm you. It’s all about making the initial sale.
Think about it this way: While all those shiny gadgets may look attractive, they won’t magically bring you customers. It’s the genuine connections and interactions that matter most. So, instead of getting caught up in the hype of fancy tools, keep your eyes on the prize: building relationships and making that first sale. Believe in yourself and your abilities to make it happen.
Understanding Your Target Market and Selling Effectively
First, you need to know who you’re selling to and what problems your product solves. Imagine your ideal customer and think about why they would want to buy your product. What issues does it address for them? You also need to figure out how much your product costs.
Now, I know this may seem obvious, but it’s extremely important: If you don’t know who you’re selling to and how your product helps them, you can’t start selling. So, take some time to understand your target market and the value your product brings to them. Trust me, it will make a big difference!
Once you understand your target market and the problems your product solves, you’ll have a clear picture of how to market it effectively. You can customize your messages to speak directly to the needs and interests of your ideal customers. This will help you connect with them on a deeper level and ultimately lead to more sales.
Remember, as you start to gain attraction, things may change and that’s okay. But having a solid understanding of your target market from the beginning will set you up for success. So, take the time to do your research and know your audience. It will pay off in the long run.
The Power of Referrals in Growing Your Product
Don’t forget to tell your family, friends, coworkers, and anyone you know about your product. You don’t need to pressure them into purchasing, just ask if they know anyone who might be interested. This way, you can get some referrals without any risk. Plus, talking about your product with people you know can help you explain it better and answer potential customers’ questions. So, spread the word and see where it takes you!
The more people you inform about your product, the more likely you are to get potential customers. Plus, by talking about it with others, you’ll become more comfortable explaining its benefits and features. This exercise will help you feel more confident when talking to real prospects.
Thus, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from people in your network. You never know who might know someone or who might be interested. It all depends on generating interest and momentum around your product.
How to Identify Your Ideal Customers
List people who would be ideal customers for your product. Think about who needs your product and who will get the most value from it. You can write their names on a piece of paper, use a spreadsheet, or even use a CRM system. The main thing is to gather a list of potential customers so you know who to contact.
Start by brainstorming who your ideal customers would be. Think about their characteristics, interests, and needs that match your product offering. Write down their names or descriptions along with any other relevant information that can help you target them effectively.
Once you have your list, you’ll have a clear picture of where to focus your marketing efforts. You can tailor your messaging and outreach strategies to resonate with these specific individuals, increasing your chances of success.
Remember, the goal is to identify the people who will benefit most from your product and tailor your approach accordingly. So, take your time to compile a comprehensive list of your ideal customers.
Strategies for Engaging Your Target Audience
Once you have a list of ideal customers, it’s time to reach out to them regularly and consistently. Choose a communication strategy and frequency that works for you and stick to it. For example, you might start with a customized LinkedIn invite, followed by a phone call (leave a message if they don’t respond), then an email asking why they should be interested in your product. Follow up with another call and maybe even send something in the mail to grab their attention.
The key is to maintain a steady rhythm of communication – perhaps about 10 touches over 4-6 weeks – until you get a response or decide to move on. Continue this until you start gaining some traction among your audience. Consistency is key.
As you reach out to your target audience, keep track of your conversations and the responses you get. This will help you assess the effectiveness of your outreach efforts and make adjustments as needed.
Remember, the goal is to connect with your prospects in a meaningful way that matches their needs and interests. By maintaining consistency in your communications, you will increase your chances of building relationships and ultimately converting them into paying customers.
Therefore, maintain the rhythm of communication and be active in your outreach efforts. With time and effort, you’ll start to see results and your audience will grow. Keep moving forward.
The Key to Sales Success
Once you’ve got their attention, it’s time to take the next steps. Sometimes, people are hesitant to fully commit because they are worried about losing their authenticity. They can get caught up in constant discussions about processes, hiring decisions, equipment choices, and cost and service standards – not to mention perfecting PowerPoint decks and sales templates.
But the point is: It’s okay to take action when necessary, but don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them along the way. Even if you have the most sophisticated sales contract or proposal template, chances are you’ll need to make changes to it when presenting it to a potential client for the first time. Similarly, your carefully planned pricing structure may need adjustment when you start dealing with real customers.
So, don’t fall into the trap of getting everything perfect from the beginning, as things will inevitably change. The key is to start a conversation and arouse genuine curiosity in your potential customers. This way, you’ll be better equipped to adapt and respond to their evolving needs and preferences.
Without taking the initiative to engage with your potential customers and spark their genuine interest, it is impossible to predict how your relationships with them will develop. So, instead of being haunted by the fear of imperfection or the need for everything to be perfect, focus on building relationships and fostering curiosity.
Remember, it is only through these interactions and genuine conversations that you will truly understand your customers’ needs and preferences. And while it’s natural to want everything to go smoothly, it’s also important to embrace the learning process and be willing to make adjustments along the way.
In the end, what matters most is your ability to connect authentically with your audience and adapt to their changing needs. So, don’t be afraid to take risks and start those conversations – it’s part of the journey toward building meaningful relationships and achieving business success.
The Foundation of Startup Success
Getting your first client or customer is important—this is where it all starts. You need that income to validate your product and collect case studies. Be proactive and friendly with your initial customers, and do whatever it takes to close the deal.
Keep in mind that your first customers hold a lot of influence – they’re taking a risk by trying something new, so it’s important to make them feel comfortable and minimize any risks associated with their purchase. Providing peace of mind can go a long way in closing deals and building trust with your customers. After all, there’s always a level of uncertainty when trying something new.
So, go the extra mile to reassure your customers and address any concerns they may have. Offer guarantees, free trials, or flexible return policies to reduce their risk and give them confidence in their decision to choose your product or service.
Remember, your first customers are taking a leap of faith by giving your offering a try. Appreciate them, listen to their feedback, and use their experiences to refine your product and improve your offerings moving forward.
By prioritizing their needs and building strong relationships from the start, you will not only secure your first customers but also pave the way for long-term success and growth.
- Explore more about What makes a good co-founder.
last but not least: Keys to Growth and Expansion
Selling requires a unique blend of skills – it’s both an art and a science. But with determination, anyone can learn to sell. Without sales, your business and your products are worthless. So, move ahead, and don’t let anything hold you back.
Once you start attracting paying customers, focus on building your sales team, equipping them with the right tools, and empowering sales leaders. Remember, you can’t scale up your sales efforts until you make the first sale. So, prioritize engaging that customer before anything else.