I started a small software development company and resource outsource with my friends, we reached out to some of our contacts and we got a few projects that are working amazingly and we are saving costs since most of the projects are being developed by us, long story short, we need more, we need to cover the company costs and more, I don’t mind being in loss for the first financial year, I am very knowledgeable that it takes time, but any advice from people of reddit would be amazing, how can we get things moving, what can I do to get projects? Where can I find these people? How can I talk to them? I know it takes time to land a big client and they require big portfolios.
This is a real case study by one of my clients, and I share my response back then if you’re starting some freelance or side hustle, this may help you
When you asked “where can i find these people”, who are these people? Do you know who they are? If so, the answer to where to find them should follow naturally.
While we all wish that we can serve everyone, (e.g. all entrepreneurs, all coaches, all businesses, all mums… you get the ideas) it’s simply not realistic, nor effective.
You may have observed that the 7 figure business owners or development company serve a lot of people, ranging from beginners to more advanced levels, but they certainly didn’t start out like this.
It’s important to remember: EVERYONE STARTS SOMEWHERE. You don’t need to serve a lot of clients to begin with, but you can grow to expand your digital products and services gradually as you grow the business.
I learned this back then when I was trying very hard to grow the business. I didn’t find my ideal customers — who need my services most and who i can help most.
I was simply throwing spaghetti at the wall, trying to post things on social media, trying to grow my business online and see which sticks.
But I had no idea who I was speaking to.
Therefore, I ended up speaking to no one. And I actually made no money. I struggled for a few years before I got my head out of the sand (I almost gave up!).
Somehow I have heard this idea of target customers for years (since I studied business at collage), but it didn’t click with me until a few years of no results in business that I understand the importance and finally get to sit down and really work on it.
Now that you have this resource at hand, you don’t need to repeat my mistakes (that will save you years’ of frustration!).
TRUTH TRUTH:
you could have the best product in the world, but if you’re not reaching the right person, you’ll make $0 sales at the end of day.
So as much as product or service quality matters, it only matters if you are reaching and targeting the right tribe.
So understanding your target customers is SO, SO, SUPER IMPORTANT.
More than important than how do you create your first post or content — yet many of us when we think about selling digital products or services online, the first thing we would jump right into is content creation. That’s why many of us are not getting the desired results on social media sales.
If you’re not 100% sure who need your digital products or services, or who you’re selling them to, or who is going to buy your digital products or services, you need to take a step back and get clear on the target customers first.
Almost all the questions in business can be answered with your target customers:
which platform should you focus on? ANS: the one that your target customers hang out
what content should you create? ANS: what your target customers want to know / hear
what digital products or services should you offer? ANS: what your target customers want to learn from you!
how much should you price your digital products or services? ANS: how much your target customers would find to be reflective of the value that you provide
So all the business decisions can be based on target customers. It is THAT IMPORTANT.
Hence, it’s worth spending a few hours every month to understand your target customers for the business.
Finding your target customers who need what you offer will be game-changing for your business. Finding my customer tribe was my secret to go from making almost nothing to 6–7+ figure income in business.
Once you dialled in, you will make sales much easier and faster! Because what it is that they are looking for and your digital product or service would be in perfect alignment so they can see it helping them to bridge the gap and solve their problems.
And then as you serve more customers, your understanding deepens and you can add to your discovery. Making your sales process much easier and putting more profits in your pocket.
After I did the exercise, I went from $0 sales to making $53,000 a year to $110,000 next year. So if you do the exercise, it can have significant impact on your business and you’ll find sales and getting customers much easier because now you are crystal clear who you’re speaking to.
Most people don’t do this step because:
#1 it’s not fun, could be boring (depends on how you think about it)
#2 it takes time, most folks jumping into online business wants to make cash immediately, so they’d be more attracted to the shiny strategies like setting up funnels
#3 it takes work and needs to think (thinking could be hard work because most people are mentally lazy)
But I hope by now you understand the importance of it — COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY TO DO for your business.
Simply because the goal of business is to make bank, make additional money and income. And once you do this exercise to understand your target customers, you’re more likely to connect with them and they’re more likely to buy your stuff.
If you have no idea who you’re selling to, it’s just throwing spaghetti on the wall and seeing which sticks — super low efficient and frustrating (aka confidence killer).
I’ve developed a list of 9 questions who helped me to discover my customers and speak to them effectively to get more sales, let me know if you want to get a copy.
Hope it helps
P.S. Do you want to build a side business that replaces 9–5 salary in a matter of months as well? I know the way to do it, speak with me whenever you’re ready so that I can get to know you more and help you come up with a realistic idea and plan step by step how to do that exactly
More resources:
“I want to start selling services or products on social media but not sure how to start…”
“I don’t know where to find more clients…”
“I have some ideas but not sure how to turn it into a business…”
