How to find your first clients ⬇️


DISTRICT BRAND BAR 🥃

Your Marketing Mixologist


Heads up! I added a new section to my weekly emails: Happy Hour at The Bar. Don't scroll away until you check it out. I'll be switching up the content each week! - Kristin

Let’s face it, Reader, finding your first clients is HARD.

Many business owners get caught in the chaos of trying to grow an audience, launch a product and show up on every platform—all without ever having a client.

Does this sound familiar, Reader?

I get it. Last week, I had several free strategy sessions where this issue came up again and again.

Trust me, I feel your pain. There’s nothing easy about finding clients.

While a solid brand and marketing foundation are vital—and trust me, I preach this all the time—these elements alone won’t land you your first clients. Sure, they play an important role in long-term success and growth. They help you establish your identity, build trust with your audience, and create a consistent message.

But when you’re just starting out?

These aren't your game-changers.

🔥My hot take? Your first clients are already in your network.

Yes, you heard that right!

Your brand and marketing foundation is built to attract strangers and new-to-you people into your community. But those first few clients? They’re 1-2 degrees separated from you.

Not seven degrees, Kevin Bacon.

They won’t be strangers who magically find you on the internet.

🪄The magic happens when you realize your first clients are closer than you think.

So, how do you find them?

Finding your first clients doesn't require casting a wide net. Instead, focus on leveraging your existing connections. Here’s how:

  • Reach Out: Contact friends, family, and former colleagues. Let them know you’re open for business.
  • Ask for Introductions: Request that they introduce you to someone who could use your help.
  • Offer Free Sessions: Provide free strategy sessions to demonstrate your value and get your foot in the door.
  • Reduce Your Prices: Offer your services at a significantly reduced price to attract your first clients.
  • Network within your industry: Attend events, join forums, and participate in relevant communities. Be vocal about what you do and the value you provide.
  • Walk In: Visit your ideal businesses and offer your services directly at a reduced price.
  • Be Persistent: Remind your network again about your services. You never know who they might run into tomorrow that could use what you have to offer!

By focusing on your immediate network and being proactive, you can land those crucial first clients without feeling overwhelmed by the need to establish a massive following. Build on these initial successes, and you'll find it much easier to expand outward and grow your business.

So instead of casting a wide net, start by reaching out to your inner circle.

Because right now, they’re your secret ingredient. 🍋

Cheers,
Kristin

P.S. Would you like to win a free 30-minute strategy session with me? Take my audience survey, and you'll be in the running!

HAPPY HOUR

at The Bar

Mix & Mingle with Me
Need a personalized marketing boost? Let's craft your unique strategy together. Book Your Free Session.

This Week in The Marketing Bar
We’re getting creative with testimonials! Learn how to transform client praise into powerful marketing tools. Subscribe Today!

What We're Buzzing About
Mastering the 3 'R's of Authenticity. Find out what they are here.

Cocktail of the Week
I asked ChatGPT to create a twist on one of my favorite cocktails, the Naked and Famous. It suggested the Naked and Bold, swapping Aperol for Campari and lemon for lime. And I loved it!

INSTAGRAM
THE MARKETING BAR
TAKE THE QUIZ
LET'S CHAT!

🍹 Mixing Up Your Inbox Preferences?
I get it; sometimes, the cocktail menu needs a little change. Change your preferences, or if my emails aren't your flavor, feel free to pour them out by unsubscribing. No hard feelings, and you're always welcome back to the bar!

🥂 Cheers to transparent marketing!
Some emails may have affiliate links or be co-crafted with ChatGPT. Rest assured, you're still getting the same Kristin-level awesomeness—just with a dash of AI and a sprinkle of affiliate love. No extra cost, all extra value!

2125 14th St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20009

Kristin Lawton, District Brand Bar

Mix up your marketing! Get weekly tips, stories, and strategies to build an authentic brand—served with simplicity, fun, and zero overwhelm. 🥂

Read more from Kristin Lawton, District Brand Bar
Cheers! Kristin Lawton, Chief Marketing Mixologist

Reader, If you’ve been following me for a while, you know branding and marketing are kind of my thing. 😊 I’ve spent years learning that people buy when they feel a connection. It happens when your messaging resonates, your brand feels trustworthy, and your audience sees themselves in what you’re offering. That’s why I put so much thought into not just my content but the entire marketing ecosystem I play in. Every piece of your brand, from the visuals to the messaging to how your audience...

My Mixologist's playbook January 2025

Reader, Welcome to My Mixologist's Playbook! This new monthly feature is your peek behind the bar—a mix of my plans, what you can look forward to, and a few cocktail and personal tidbits sprinkled in. Think of it as a chance to plan and get excited right alongside me! What’s in Store for January? I’m not a “word of the year” or resolution person. Big goals used to trip me up—I’d miss a day and feel like I’d failed. Now, I’m all about moderation and short-term goals, which work best for my...

Kristin drinking a tea, feeling generous

DISTRICT BRAND BAR 🥃 Your Marketing Mixologist Hi Reader!When I work with clients to define or refresh their brand and marketing, one of the first things we dive into is their brand values. Why? Because your brand values dictate everything—how you serve your clients, how you run your business, and what drives you to keep going. They show up in your messaging, your offers, and in every single interaction you have with your community. And no, I’m not talking about the trendy, vague ones you’ve...