How to Get Your First 10 Customers as a New Home Business
You have a skill. You have a dream. You even have business cards.
But you have zero customers.
That first customer feels impossible. You're stuck in a frustrating loop: you need customers to build credibility, but you need credibility to get customers. How do you break through when nobody knows you exist?
Here's the truth that experienced business owners won't always tell you: those first 10 customers don't come from marketing genius or viral posts. They come from simple, repeatable actions that anyone can take—starting today.
Let's build your first customer base, one practical step at a time.
1. Start With People Who Already Know You
Your first customers are closer than you think. They're in your phone contacts, your social media friends list, and your neighborhood.
Why it works:
- People prefer to hire someone they know (or know of)
- Trust is already established—no "stranger danger" hesitation
- They want to support you and see you succeed
What to do today:
Make a list of 20 people who:
- Know you personally
- Might need your service (or know someone who does)
- Would be happy to hear from you
Send each one a simple, personal message:
"Hey [Name]! I wanted to let you know I've started a [service] business. If you or anyone you know ever needs [specific service], I'd love to help. No pressure at all—just wanted you to know I'm here!"
This isn't pushy. It's informative. Most people genuinely want to support friends and family who are starting something new.
Pro tip: Don't mass-message. Personal, individual messages get 10x better responses than obvious copy-paste jobs.
2. Get Listed Where Customers Are Already Looking
When someone needs a service, they search online. If you're not listed anywhere, you're invisible to people actively looking to hire someone like you.
Why it works:
- Directories rank well in "near me" and local searches
- Customers browsing directories have buying intent
- A listing creates a permanent digital presence for your business
What to do today:
Create your free listing on Front Door Directory. It takes less than 5 minutes and immediately puts you in front of local customers searching for your services.
Fill out every field completely:
- Business name and description
- Services you offer
- Service area
- Contact information
- Hours of availability
Pro tip: The more complete your listing, the higher you'll appear in search results. Don't skip the description—it's your chance to tell customers why they should choose you.
3. Offer a "Launch Special" to Build Momentum
Your first customers are taking a chance on an unproven business. Make that chance feel less risky with an introductory offer.
Why it works:
- Lowers the barrier to trying your service
- Creates urgency ("limited time offer")
- Gives people a reason to act now instead of later
What to do today:
Create a simple launch offer:
- Discount: "20% off your first service"
- Bonus: "Free [small add-on] with your first booking"
- Guarantee: "100% satisfaction or your money back"
Be clear about the terms:
- How long the offer lasts (30 days creates urgency)
- What's included
- How to claim it
Pro tip: Don't discount too heavily. A small discount attracts customers who value your work. A massive discount attracts bargain hunters who won't return at full price.
4. Turn Every Customer Into Three Referrals
One satisfied customer can become three more—if you ask. Most people never ask, leaving a goldmine of referrals untapped.
Why it works:
- Referred customers convert at higher rates
- Referrals come with built-in trust
- It costs nothing but a few seconds of asking
What to do today:
After completing any job, say something like:
"I'm so glad you're happy with [the work]. I'm just getting started and trying to build my customer base. If you know anyone else who might need [service], I'd really appreciate you passing along my name. I take great care of every customer."
Make it easy:
- Give them a few business cards
- Send a follow-up text with your contact info they can forward
- Offer a small referral bonus if appropriate
Pro tip: The best time to ask is right after they've expressed satisfaction. Strike while the appreciation is fresh.
5. Join Local Community Groups (Strategically)
Every community has Facebook groups, Nextdoor neighborhoods, and local forums where people ask for recommendations. These are goldmines for new businesses.
Why it works:
- You reach people who actually live in your service area
- Recommendations in groups carry social proof
- When someone asks "Who does [your service]?", you can respond
What to do today:
- Search Facebook for groups in your city or neighborhood
- Join Nextdoor if you haven't already
- Look for local Reddit communities or forums
Important: Don't spam your business everywhere. Instead:
- Be a helpful community member first
- Answer questions related to your expertise
- When someone asks for recommendations, respond genuinely
- Follow group rules about self-promotion
Pro tip: Many groups have designated "recommendation" or "business promo" days. Use these appropriately and you'll build goodwill instead of getting banned.
6. Partner With Complementary Businesses
Other local businesses serve your same customers without competing with you. A simple partnership can send customers both ways.
Why it works:
- You tap into an established, trusted customer base
- Referrals from businesses carry professional weight
- It costs nothing but relationship building
What to do today:
Identify 3-5 businesses that serve your ideal customer but don't compete:
- If you're a house cleaner: real estate agents, property managers, moving companies
- If you're a photographer: event planners, florists, makeup artists, venues
- If you're a tutor: pediatricians, children's activity centers, libraries
- If you're a handyman: real estate agents, interior designers, property managers
- If you're a baker: event planners, coffee shops, gift shops
Reach out with a simple proposal:
"Hi [Name], I'm [Your Name] and I just started a [service] business in the area. I noticed we probably serve similar customers. Would you be open to referring customers to each other when it makes sense? I'd be happy to recommend your business to my customers as well."
Pro tip: Start with one partnership and nurture it. One strong referral relationship beats ten lukewarm ones.
7. Ask for Reviews Immediately
Reviews are the currency of trust for new businesses. Even one or two genuine reviews can be the difference between someone choosing you or scrolling past.
Why it works:
- Reviews provide social proof that you're legitimate
- They answer "Can I trust this person?" before it's asked
- More reviews = higher visibility in search results
What to do today:
After every completed job, ask for a review:
"I'm so glad you were happy with [the work]! As a new business, reviews really help other people find me. Would you mind leaving a quick review? Here's the link: [your review link]"
Make it as easy as possible:
- Send a direct link to your Google review page
- Or ask them to review on the directory where you're listed
- Follow up once if they forget (many people intend to but get busy)
Pro tip: Don't wait until you have 10 customers to start asking. Ask customer #1, #2, and every one after.
Your 30-Day Action Plan
Here's exactly what to do each week:
Week 1: Foundation
- Create your Front Door Directory listing (5 min)
- Message 20 people in your network (30 min)
- Create your launch special offer (15 min)
- Claim your Google Business Profile (15 min)
Week 2: Visibility
- Join 3-5 local community groups (20 min)
- Identify 5 potential referral partners (15 min)
- Reach out to 2 partnership prospects (10 min)
Week 3: Momentum
- Follow up with anyone who showed interest (15 min)
- Ask your first customers for reviews (5 min each)
- Be helpful in community groups daily (10 min/day)
Week 4: Scale
- Ask every customer for 2-3 referrals
- Nurture your referral partnerships
- Evaluate what's working and double down
The Bottom Line
Your first 10 customers won't come from a lucky break or going viral. They'll come from showing up consistently, asking for what you need, and making it easy for people to say yes.
Every successful business you admire started exactly where you are now—with zero customers and a lot of uncertainty. The difference between those who make it and those who don't isn't talent or luck. It's action.
Your first customer is waiting. They just don't know you exist yet.
Time to change that.
Ready to be found by your first customers? Create your free listing on Front Door Directory and start showing up where local customers are already searching. It takes less than 5 minutes—and it could be the first step toward your first 10 customers.
