How do I get my first customer?
The short answer
Start with people close to your actual target customer, not a broad audience. Tell them directly what you've built, why it helps them, and ask them to try it, rather than waiting for people to find you.
Your first customers rarely come from strangers
Almost nobody gets their first customer from a stranger stumbling across their product. Most first customers come from direct, slightly uncomfortable outreach: telling specific people about what you've built and asking them to try it.
Where to actually look
Think about where people with your exact problem already spend time or ask questions, rather than trying to reach "everyone".
- People you already know who fit your customer description
- Online communities or groups where your exact problem gets discussed
- People who've tried to solve this problem in a clunkier way already
- Anyone who's already told you they have this problem
What to say
Keep it plain and specific: what the product does, who it's for, and what you'd like them to do (try it, give feedback, or buy it). Avoid vague pitches, they're easy to ignore. A clear, specific ask is much easier to say yes to.
Your first few customers are also your best source of honest feedback, so treat getting them as much about learning as it is about revenue.
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