Rob Kevin here. So in order to start a successful business, you need to get people to pay. So this is a video about how to get your first five paying clients, what you're going to do for them, this depends on what you're good at and what you enjoy. As we've discussed, try and hone in on some specific tasks that you can do. Well, I offered graphic design services, because that's one skill I knew I had that was in demand. So once you've decided on this skill or task, you need to promote yourself to people so they know what you're offering.

So the first group of people are your contacts, people you know already. I'm not talking about friends and family here. Trust me. They are the worst people you can work for. But have your professional contacts that you know, and remember, ask former colleagues because your professional contacts are viral people know people So you sometimes just need to put the word out there and help people remember to help people introduce two people together, you think may connect well, professionally, people will always remember recommendations, especially if they worked and they would like to reciprocate those. So if you recommend a good person to a good person, you might find yourself then recommended to another good person as a result, some people may think networking is a dark art that only smarmy opportunists are good at, but it's not it's a skill we all have to exercise throughout our lives.

Now the best networking is done offline. stronger connection is always made with someone when you're face to face with them. You shaking their hands, you remember them so much better. So that's why I recommend you go to meetups conferences and events as much as you can. They are absolutely gold dust even though conferences can be quite expensive. They are usually worth it with the contacts that you make.

And again, make helping people your primary mission when you're at these conferences and meetups, never go to an event with the intention to pitch your services. People will be so turned off by that, but they'll ask you anyway, what you do. And the third way to meet clients is through social media. And it's exactly the same as networking. Really, it's just online and not offline. But the same rules apply.

Help people make helping people, your primary objective, don't just post on social media, about what you do and how brilliant you are. You need to post quality relevant information of course, but don't spread yourself too thin on social media. only concentrate on a few groups that you know very well and help people on those groups and pretty soon you'll develop a reputation for expertise within a certain area. Now, the fourth way to get clients is third party freelance sites, this is something I haven't done myself, I wouldn't actually recommend them. Places like up work and freelancer, not places to build a business on money recommending these places. If you have absolutely no other alternative, they may work for you if you're in an area of the world with a very low cost of living, because you won't make much money here.

And the fifth way is the most important thing of all, it's your website, but it's probably the most difficult way to get clients. Although this is how I managed to get clients when I was offering graphic and web design services, but it's still most important to develop your own website. No one will take you seriously if you don't have a decent website and I'm going to explain later In other videos how you can do this, but you should have a website and post quality information and content there. And that will attract clients as well. And what you say and how you deal with your clients is a skill you'll develop through the months and years ahead. But generally, they're paying you to take a pain away or a confusion away from their lives.

They want to pay you, so you can do it for them, and they don't have to worry about it. And that's why I found that saying as little as possible to clients really helps. You just need to make a few things clear between you. You need to know the scope of the project, when you've got to do it by and how much you're going to get paid. And it's good to get that all down in writing, even though if it's in an email thread. It's really good thing to do that.

But apart from that, I would say as little as possible to the client getting your first client is an amazing feeling. You can't wait to start work. They are sitting at home, making money on top of your salary. And that's when you get the back. So what I want you to do is get a pad of paper and write down people you know, that you think you might be able to work for? Can you contact them and try to help them?

Ask them what they need right now what's their biggest pain point? Now go to meetup.com. This is incredibly important to meet other entrepreneurs, even if they can't help you and give you work. They are great sources of information. And it's just great to talk to people who are on the same path as you are meetup.com BSI, or conferences in your specific niche. And in social media concentrates on a particular Facebook group, LinkedIn group or Google Plus group.

You will know where the best place for you is, but concentrated on it and help People there, and you will get clients, people interested in you, and people who will see you as an expert in a particular niche or field. The third party freelance sites, as I say, are called up work and freelancer. There are others, but I wouldn't concentrate on them if I was you. And for your website, I want you to think about what you can blog about, and I'll be coming on to that in a later video. My name is Rob Coburn. I'll see you in the next video.