Starting a SaaS biz or digital agency can feel like you’re climbing Everest in flip-flops—you know where you want to go, but dang, where do you even start?

In one of our recent Zoom calls, I sat down with a few HighLevel legends—Jared, Dan Doyle, and Thomas—hosted by my guy Mario Aldayuz (Head of Partnerships at HL Pro Tools). We peeled back the curtain on how to actually get those first few paying clients without feeling spammy or burning through cash.

And yeah, we talked AI and events too… but let’s start with the stuff that moves the needle right now.

Start Small. Seriously.

Before you start building funnels or automating follow-ups, do this:

👉 Hit up people you already know.
Friends. Family. Old coworkers. That one guy from college who owes you a favor.

Why? Because trust is already built in.

Here’s the play:

• Reach out personally (DM, text, voice memo—whatever feels natural)
  
• Share what you’re working on
  
• Offer value first (free audit, quick win, etc.)

As Mario put it: “Getting your first customers is all about relationships—people you know and who trust you.”

Then ask for testimonials or referrals. Those are rocket fuel for your growth.

Tap Into Real-World Networking

I know, I know. You’re thinking, “Networking events? That’s so 2005.”

But Dan dropped some 🔥 about how BNI and Toastmasters helped him refine his pitch and land clients faster than paid ads ever did.

Why it works:

• You’re in a room full of professionals looking to connect and help each other
  
• It’s low-cost, high-impact
  
• You get real-time feedback on how you’re presenting your offer

Pro tip: Go consistently. Relationships compound.

A Few Power Moves You Can Steal Today:

✅ DM 5 people in your personal network with a soft offer
✅ Join a local networking group (BNI, Toastmasters, chamber of commerce)
✅ Offer a free audit or mini-service to build trust fast
✅ Ask happy clients for short video testimonials (even a selfie-style vid works!)
✅ Build a “Wall of Love” to showcase those testimonials on your site or funnels

Bonus: AI Outreach That Doesn’t Feel Robotic

Jared talked about how he used ChatGPT to help him craft personalized cold outreach messages—not those cringe LinkedIn DMs we all ignore.

The trick? Combine automation with human connection:

• Use AI to brainstorm intros or offers
  
• Then personalize each message based on the person’s biz or niche

AI is like a cheat code—if you use it right.

The Bottom Line

Getting your first clients is less about tools and more about trust, consistency, and conversations.

And once you’ve got a few wins under your belt, HighLevel becomes the ultimate weapon for scaling—from smart automations to done-for-you white-label SaaS.

If you’re trying to shortcut the struggle and want the exact workflows, templates, and coaching that helped me grow—we’ve got you 👇

Cool Free Thing: The Testimonial Workflow

Before you can help businesses with your service, you need to build trust. 

The fastest way to do that? ⭐️ Testimonials.

In the spirit of free stuff (because who doesn’t love that?), I want to give you our team’s Testimonial Workflow.

This plug-and-play system makes gathering, editing, and organizing testimonials super simple. You’ll be showcasing social proof like a pro in no time.

👉 Grab the free walkthrough here

Want More?

We’re all about helping agencies and SaaSpreneurs win faster using HighLevel—without the guesswork. 

Get tools, workflows, and weekly live trainings over at hlprotools.com 💥