How do I generate my first 100 customers?

Hi there,

I wanted to answer this a bit differently. I'm assuming you are looking for 100 job seekers?

First - 100 customers is a hefty target for a newly launched product. Is the infrastructure solid? Do you have experts lined up to review these videos?

Assuming that part is ironed out, I'll urge you remember that in the early days, the ONLY reason people try your product is because someone, somewhere believes in you and what you're trying to do.

It's VERY hard to get 100 strangers to believe in you.

It's a lot easier to find one or two connected people to buy in.

My main suggestion is to focus on small partnerships with the founders of other companies that help solve aspects of this problem. One good relationship with a recruitment agency can get you a consistent flow of new customers. Work out an arrangement with them where you give the review service to them for free for the first year, to trial a beta project. Once you have a big agency as a customer (even if it's non-paid), you can use the success metrics from that relationship to others and charge them.

Otherwise, and assuming you don't have the budget to do paid, a few other low/no-cost ideas:

1) Spend as much time as you can offering free/valuable advice to job seekers in communities and forums. Offer to review their mock video for free.
2) Look at new graduate communities / partnerships with colleges and universities. They need to show high graduate employment rates so they will be more likely to hear your pitch.
3) Put content out into the world that teaches people how to effectively win at the interview process.

I can get into more detail on a call - but here are some ideas to get you started.

There are several ways to generate 100 customers, but it is up to you which one you would choose. Since the product is related to jobseekers you can employ one or all the notable ways:
1. Treat them like royalty
Those first few customers should get all the attention in the world, complete with a personal thank you from the CEO and an early-bird gift certificate.

2. Start out paid, then go free
Everyone loves a good discount, and will jump on an opportunity to download a ‘premium’ app, even if they do not necessarily need it.

3. Form alliances
You can sign an exclusive sponsorship agreement or give them an opportunity to use your services for free.

4. Focus on your niche first
Relevant coverage from small-to-medium industry blogs usually does more for your business than any major publication will.

5. Get involved in the community
Find out where your community gathers and join the conversation every day. Answering questions on forums and sites like Quora is an excellent way to position yourself as a community leader.

6. Start blogging early

Content marketing is the new start-up buzzword, and for a good reason. Facebook has become a savvy marketer’s dream, due to just how specific your ad targeting can get.

7. Use social media unlike anyone else
Every business has a Facebook page and a Twitter account nowadays.

8. Get good at storytelling
Having an uncommon business narrative is what makes early adopters swoon.

9. Do not forget the call to action
Building a dedicated landing page to grow your email list is the first step to converting your site visitors into loyal customers.

10. Do not be afraid to A/B test
Even small design fixes or phrase variations can help significantly boost your conversion rate.

11. Monitor and adapt
Whatever you are doing to acquire new customers, make sure you consistently measure its success rate.

12. Embrace the low conversion rate
That way, even a painfully low conversion rate guarantees a new influx of business.
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath