5 Proven Steps to Get Your First 5 Clients (Without a Big Audience)
Small is the new big
quite reminder: We help B2B professionals with 10+ years of experience launch and build a million-dollar fractional book of business. See results here.
One of the biggest myths about starting a fractional business is that you need:
❌ Thousands of LinkedIn or Youtube followers
❌ A polished personal brand
❌ A fancy website with all the bells and whistles
The truth?
Your first five clients will almost never come from strangers.
They’ll come from the network you already have—if you know how to tap into it.
Today, I’ll show you a simple approach to landing your first five clients without needing a big audience or a viral post.
Step 1: Mine Your Warm Network
Make a list of:
✅ Past colleagues and bosses
✅ Clients you’ve helped before
✅ Partners or vendors you’ve collaborated with
✅ People who already trust your expertise
Aim for 25–50 names, even if some feel like long shots.
Remember: You’re not pitching them—you’re reconnecting.
Step 2: Create a Simple Value-First Offer
Before you reach out, get clear on:
What problem do you solve?
How do you help?
What is the first, easy step they can say yes to?
Example Entry Offer:
A 90-minute GTM Diagnostic Workshop
A simple assessment to identify growth gaps
A short-term roadmap engagement
Make it easy to understand, low-risk, and outcome-focused.
Step 3: Reach Out Personally
Forget mass emails.
Send individual messages to each person on your list.
Example Script:
Hi [Name],
Hope you’re doing well! I’m reaching out because I’m launching my fractional GTM practice, focused on helping companies [solve specific problem].
I’m offering a limited number of [assessment/workshop/strategy sessions] to help founders like [you…] get clarity on [specific outcome].
If you or someone you know could use this, let me know—I’d be glad to help.
Either way, hope you’re thriving!
This feels human, not spammy—and it works.
Step 4: Use Content as Proof, Not Promotion
You don’t need to go viral.
You just need to show you’re credible.
Post 1–2 times a week about:
✅ Your point of view on GTM or any other niche market
✅ Case studies and lessons learned
✅ Frameworks you use with clients
This builds trust with the people you’ve already reached out to.
Step 5: Follow Up with Generosity
Most deals don’t happen in the first message.
Keep showing up:
Share helpful resources
Celebrate their wins
Offer introductions
Stay visible without being pushy.
Real-World Example
One GTM OS Certified Partner booked her first 5 clients by:
✅ Sending 30 personal LinkedIn messages
✅ Hosting 5 free diagnostic calls
✅ Sharing 3 posts about her framework
No ads.
No big audience.
Just intentional action.
The Takeaway
You don’t need a massive platform to build momentum.
✅ Start with the people who already trust you.
✅ Make a clear, valuable offer.
✅ Show up consistently.
Because your next client isn’t waiting for your follower count to hit 10,000.
They’re waiting for you to start the conversation.
Stay tuned—next week’s Fractional Freedom Friday.
love,
Sangram
p.s. Want examples of outreach messages and offer templates you can swipe?
If you’d like help getting the right clients your way (without spamming and cold calling) and you’d like to dive deeper into the ins and outs of building a profitable, lifestyle-friendly GTM book of business—whether you’re a CMO, CRO, or any GTM executive—check out this course. (use promcode: freedom100 so you can get it for free)
Over 200 GTM leaders who are going fractional have taken this course in just the last 30 days.
use code freedom100 so you don’t have to pay the $499 as a reader of this note.