Now that you’ve started your business, here is what to do next

Saw this question In the r/entrepreneur sub reddit. The advice being given was so bad that I had to help the guy out. I once freelanced as a branding and design firm before I started consulting for business owners so I know what it feels like to have a business and not know how to get customers.

1. Determine who your ideal client is — are you targeting small businesses in the healthcare space, online bloggers or perhaps dentists who are over 40 years old and live in a single family home?
2. Decide on what your deliverable will be — -are you creating a website with 5 pages, cms and design package for $10,000? Are you offering a logo design package that includes a letterhead and business card template for $1000? You need to have a package so you never have to get paid by the hour.
3. Make a list of people you can help and reach out to them directly either through email, phone or face to face. When I started out, I got my first client by walking into the business and asking for the manager. I pitched her my services and made my first $2500(I only got paid $2000, she never paid the rest. lol)
4. Find out a complementary service provider who can attach your services to hers. The bigger that businesses’ reach, the better it is for you. For eg.You could contact the biggest printers and graphic designers in your city and have a joint venture agreement with them where you both promote each others services. You can give them a percentage of your profits in order to get leads.
5. Create content that your clients would like to see and drive Facebook ads to it.

I could share more but read growingstartup.com or gkic.com for more help. I’d recommend picking up David Ogilvy’s Ogilvy on Advertising book. You’ll be fine.