Everyone thinks finding clients means cold outreach, LinkedIn spam, and posting every day hoping someone notices.
It doesn't.
Your first client isn't a stranger on the internet. It's someone you already know. Someone who already trusts you. Someone who's probably complained to you about the exact problem you solve.
You just haven't asked them yet.
Your Network Is Your Pipeline
Think about the last five years of your career. The colleagues, vendors, clients, partners. The people you've helped, advised, grabbed coffee with.
Now ask yourself: which of them has the problem I solve?
Not "who might theoretically need this someday." Who has the problem right now? Who's complained about it? Who's actively looking for a solution?
That's your first client.
Why This Feels Weird
You're hesitating because it feels awkward. Mixing personal relationships with business. "What if they say no? What if it's weird?"
It's not weird. You know what's weird? Ignoring an opportunity right in front of you.
You're not begging. You're not pitching. You're offering to solve a problem they actually have. That's called helping.
What to Actually Say
Don't pitch. Have a conversation.
Reach out about something real. A problem they mentioned. A challenge you know they're facing. Something you noticed in their business.
Then offer your perspective. Share how you'd approach it. Give them something useful before you ask for anything.
If it makes sense, suggest a deeper conversation. If it doesn't, you've still added value and stayed top of mind.
The goal isn't to "close" anyone. It's to start a conversation with someone who trusts you about a problem you can solve.
The Advantage You're Ignoring
Strangers might like your content. Your network trusts your work.
That trust took years to build. The projects you delivered. The problems you solved. The times you showed up when it mattered.
That's not something you can manufacture with a LinkedIn post or a cold email. It's earned.
So use it. Not as leverage - as a starting point. These people already know you're good at what you do. They just don't know you're available to help them directly.
The Real Blocker
You're not avoiding this because you don't know who to call.
You're avoiding it because calling makes it real. Posting content is safe. Building a website is safe. "Researching your market" is safe.
Reaching out and saying "I can help you with this" means they might say yes. And then you have to do it.
That's the point.
Your first client isn't hiding. They're waiting for you to ask.
Ready to figure out what to charge?