Why I suggest these ways to find customers

When I suggest ways to find your first customer, I only suggest what I can actually do for you today. This is still rolling out, so you may not see it yet.

What I leave out, and why

I don't want to hand you an idea and then tell you I can't do it. So before I pick the three ways I suggest, I check what's possible for your business right now. A few examples:

• Posts on social media. I only suggest these when posting is turned on for your business. If it isn't, you'll see other ideas instead, such as referral partners or people you already know.
• Ads. I don't suggest paid ads as a way to find your first customer right now.
• Searching for your own customers. I suggest this only when you sell to businesses or organizations I can find by searching the web, and your business mailing address is on file. If you sell to private individuals, such as homeowners or parents, I won't search for them or suggest cold email to them at all. Referral partners work much better there: local businesses that already meet your customers.

What's left is always something I can do or guide you through, and I still pick the three that fit your business best.

If the list changes

What I can do can change from one day to the next. If you tap a way to find customers and I can no longer do it by the time you tap, I won't record your choice. I'll put together a fresh list of three that I can do, and you can pick again.

I'll only say I'm searching when I am

Some ways to find customers involve me looking up businesses for you, such as referral partners. Others are steps you take yourself, like a short script for people you know, or posts for you to share. I only tell you I'm searching when the way you picked really does search. If you picked one you do yourself, I'll hand you the steps instead.

What you can do

• Pick the way that fits you best. Tap one in the question card, or type its number or name.
• Skip the question. I'll ask again in about a week.
• Tell me what's missing. If you'd like a way to find customers I haven't suggested, say so in chat and I'll tell you honestly whether I can help with it today.

For the full picture of how I help you find your first customer, see "How I help you find your first customer".