How I'd Get My First 5 Clients from Scratch (If I Lost Everything Tomorrow)
You don’t need 10,000 followers. You need 10 people who trust you and are ready to pay you.
Starting your freelance or small business journey can feel overwhelming, right?
No one tells you how to get clients, build your presence, or start making money when you’re just beginning. But the truth is — you don’t need to be everywhere, or do everything.
What you do need is a simple, focused marketing plan that works.
I’ve helped hundreds of freelancers and solo entrepreneurs land their first clients (and many more after that).
In this blog, I’m sharing the exact tips and strategies I recommend to increase visibility, build trust, and convert leads into paying clients.
Let’s dive in.
1 define who you help and what problem yousolve🎯 1. Define Who You Help and What Problem You Solve
Before you market yourself, get crystal clear on:
- Who is your ideal client?
- What exact problem do you solve for them?
- What results can they expect?
“The niche that pays is the niche that’s clear.”
People don’t pay for vague skills — they pay for clear solutions. Instead of saying “I do digital marketing,” say:
“I help coaches generate leads using Instagram and email marketing.”
2 choose 12 core platforms not5📱 2. Choose 1–2 Core Platforms (Not 5)
You don’t need to be on every social platform. Choose where your clients already hang out.
- B2B? → LinkedIn & Email
- Creators? → Instagram & YouTube
- Local Services? → Google + Facebook
Post consistently and provide value. Educate, inspire, and showcase your process/results.
“People don’t follow you because you sell. They follow you because you solve.”
3 use content marketing to attractleads🧲 3. Use Content Marketing to Attract Leads
Start building a content engine:
- Write helpful blog posts
- Share tips or mini-case studies on social media
- Answer the FAQs your target audience asks
Content = trust + visibility.
✅ Example Post: “3 mistakes small business owners make with their Google Ads (and how to fix them)”
4 build an email list from day1💌 4. Build an Email List from Day 1
Offer a freebie:
- A cheat sheet
- A mini-guide
- A “top tools” list
Use tools like MailerLite, ConvertKit, or Beehiiv and grow your list weekly. This is your audience — no algorithm can take it away.
5 have a clear cta call to action everywhere📞 5. Have a Clear CTA (Call-to-Action) Everywhere
Don’t just post — tell people what to do next:
- Want to work with me? DM “STRATEGY”
- Need help? Book a free 15-minute discovery call
- Download my free guide: www.kdpatel.com
Make it easy for people to take the next step.
6 create a simple leadfunnel🔁 6. Create a Simple Lead Funnel
Here’s a basic setup you can do today:
- Landing Page with a Freebie or Offer
- An email sequence that introduces your service
- Weekly content or newsletter
- CTA to book a discovery call
You can build this using free or low-cost tools — it’s more about consistency than complexity.
7 ask for referrals the smartway💼 7. Ask for Referrals (The Smart Way)
Your first few clients might come from:
- Former colleagues
- Friends or family
- Facebook/LinkedIn groups
Don’t just say, “Do you know someone?”
Say:
“I help new real estate agents build a strong online presence. Do you know anyone who could use that right now?”
Referrals = fast, warm leads.
8 leverage testimonials social proofearly💬 8. Leverage Testimonials & Social Proof Early
Even if your client base is small, collect feedback:
- Screenshot positive DMs
- Ask for short testimonials
- Share before/after results
“People trust people — more than brands or portfolios.”
9 position yourself as an authority even if yourenew🧠 9. Position Yourself as an Authority (Even If You’re New)
You don’t need to be the biggest. Just be one step ahead of your ideal client.
How?
- Share what you’re learning
- Teach what you know
- Document your process
People respect transparency and confidence. You don’t need to fake anything — just show up with honesty + value.
10 take imperfect action this is the realhack🚀 10. Take Imperfect Action (This is the Real Hack)
Don’t wait until your brand is perfect. Or until your website is flawless. Or until you’ve finished one more course.
“Your first version will be messy — but done is always better than perfect.”
Clients will come when they see:
- You know what you’re doing
- You care about their results
- You show up
final thoughts you dont need 100 clients justone✅ Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need 100 Clients. Just One.
Focus on helping one person with real value. Then ask for a testimonial. Improve. Repeat.
Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just needs to be:
- Consistent
- Focused
- Human
And most importantly, it should lead people back to YOU.
ready to attract your first or next 5clients📣 Ready to Attract Your First or Next 5 Clients?
📩 DM me “CLIENTS” and I’ll send you my favorite beginner funnel setup — no tech headaches, no fluff.
