Starting a new business, especially in the SaaS and CRM world, can feel like you’re trying to climb Mount Everest with flip-flops on.

Getting those first customers can seem like a huge mountain to climb. But trust me, it doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems.

In a live session with Mario Aldayuz, Head of Partnerships at HighLevel Pro Tools, he dropped some serious knowledge on landing your first customers. 

Mario, along with some high-level pros, talked about everything from building your client base from scratch to getting creative with AI.

So, whether you’re launching your agency or trying to scale to new heights, here’s a little cheat sheet of strategies to help you land those first customers—and get your business off the ground running.

Start Small, Think Big

When you’re starting fresh, you don’t need to go full-on beast mode right away. Start small. Don’t try to do everything at once, or you’ll overwhelm yourself.

The best place to begin? Your personal network. You know—friends, family, acquaintances who already trust you. It’s like getting your foot in the door with the easiest crowd, right?

Reach out to those people who already know you, offer them something valuable, and see if it sticks. 

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

Once you’ve got a few customers, ask them for testimonials or referrals. Testimonials are like gold when it comes to building trust and credibility with new leads.

Get Out There and Network

Next up—networking groups. I know, it sounds a little “corporate,” but trust me, they can seriously boost your game. 

Places like Business Networking International (BNI) or Toastmasters are full of folks who are all about making business connections.

Attending these groups is a great way to practice your pitch, meet like-minded people, and even pick up a few new clients along the way.

Not only did they help him practice his sales pitch, but they brought in solid business.

Need Help Landing Your First Customers?

If you’re struggling to find and convert your first customers or just need guidance on scaling your agency, we’ve got you covered.👉 Check out HL Pro Tools for expert support, actionable strategies, and resources that’ll help you land clients and grow your business faster.