Your first ten customers start with a few real conversations.

Reaching customers and growing sales was the most commonly reported operational challenge in the Federal Reserve Banks' 2025 survey of 6,525 US employer firms. Those businesses had between 1 and 499 employees; it was a weighted convenience sample, not a random sample or a study of startups alone. (Federal Reserve Banks: 2026 Report on Employer Firms)

The result offers some perspective when finding buyers feels harder than doing the work. Treat it as an ongoing business task. Put time aside to contact people, answer questions and follow up, including during weeks when paid work is keeping you busy.

Be specific about whom you serve and what they can buy. 'Painting services' asks a person to imagine the whole job. 'Interior painting for small rental turnovers in this area' gives a landlord something more definite to consider.

List a few likely buyers or people who can introduce you. Some may already know your work; others may be people you need to reach through a local association, a relevant directory or a permitted community post. You don't need ten friends who happen to need a new fence. You need a way to find people with the problem.

A first message should say why you are contacting this person, what you offer and what the next step would be. For example: 'I'm taking on small interior painting jobs in the north side this month. If you have a rental turning over, I can arrange a visit and quote the rooms you need.'

If you're asking for research rather than selling, say so and keep the promise. If they decline or ask you not to contact them, respect it. In a local business, how you approach people is part of what they learn about working with you.

For an eligible local business, use Google Business Profile with the real-world business name, correct category, hours and service area. Google has specific eligibility and address rules, including for businesses that visit customers rather than receive them at a storefront. (Google: Business Profile eligibility and representation)

Give people the information they need before contacting you: work you take, the area you cover, relevant qualifications and a few clear examples you have permission to show. A small accurate website can do more for that decision than a large one full of claims you can't explain.

When someone asks for a quote, record the scope and the next step. When they say they need to wait, ask whether there is a good time to follow up. Keep the date they agreed to. 'Circle back sometime' has a remarkable ability to become next year.

Use one customer record for the contact details, conversation and follow-up. A booking link can help when the next step is choosing an appointment. Check the information collected and the times offered before sending it.

Ask what went well and whether anything needs putting right. If the customer is willing to introduce someone who needs similar work, make the introduction easy. Record where each new inquiry came from so you can see which efforts led to conversations with likely buyers.

Invite honest reviews consistently. Google's policy prohibits rewards for reviews and selectively asking only for positive ones. Let the next customer hear what the work was actually like. (Google Maps: genuine reviews and incentives)

After the first few jobs, review what sold, what took longer than expected and which customers fit the service. The tenth customer should benefit from what you learned serving the first.