The Hardest Customers
First 10. Everyone struggles.
We got our first through:
- Cold outreach
- Content marketing
- Direct asks
Here's what worked.
Cold Outreach That Worked
1. Personalization
Not template emails. Real research.
Find specific pain. Reference specific work.
2. Value First
Not "we're building X."
But "we noticed you're struggling with Y. We built a solution."
3. Easy Ask
Not "buy our product."
But "would you be open to a 15-minute call?"
Content That Worked
Blog Posts
SEO-optimized. Actually useful.
Not promotional. Helpful.
Case Studies
"We helped X do Y."
Real results. Specific numbers.
Social Proof
Show users. Show logos.
Even small logos build credibility.
Direct Asks
1. Your Network
Who do you know?
Start there. Old colleagues. Friends. Family.
They'll try things others won't.
2. Warm Introductions
"Can you introduce me to someone who..."
Your network knows people who might care.
3. Community
Slack groups. Discords. Forums.
Where your users hang out. Engage genuinely.
The Honest Framework
Week 1-2
- Identify 50 potential customers
- Personalize outreach
- Send 25 emails
Week 3-4
- Follow up
- Iterate on messaging
- Track what works
Week 5-6
- Analyze results
- Double down on what works
- First customers close
The Truth
First 10 customers take hustle.
No magic. No viral growth.
Personal outreach. Real relationships. Persistence.
That's how you get customers.
