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ESCAENPA

Getting your first client

The first client is the hardest. You have no reviews or work to show. You have to go and find them.

1ExampleDo 1–2 jobs to show.
2List20 businesses or people who need it.
3ContactShort, personal message.
4DeliverWell and on time.
5AskReview and referral.

1. Have something to show

Make an example: an invented website, a friend’s video, product photos with things from home. You can also do a first job cheap or free for someone you trust in exchange for a review and permission to show it. Only one or two: after that, charge.

2. Find who needs it

  • Businesses in your town or neighbourhood with no website or abandoned social media.
  • Your people: family, friends, your community. There’s almost always someone with a business.
  • Platforms like Fiverr or Upwork: lots of competition, and they keep part of what you charge (Fiverr takes 20%).

3. Contact them well

“Hi, I’m from Olot and I make short videos for businesses. I saw your Instagram hasn’t posted for months. I’ve prepared a video idea for the shop, free, so you can see how I work. Shall I show you?”

Short, specific and with something useful. More examples in Talking business.

4. Deliver and ask for more

Deliver when you said. When you finish, ask for a review and whether they know anyone else. Most work comes from referrals.