You did it 🎉

You announced you are going out on your own, the congrats came rolling in - but the clients did not. You are ready to get to work and launch this business but no one is knocking down your door begging for your help.

Suddenly the reality of going out on your own feels a little more scary than exciting. 

You're sitting at your desk, wondering if you need some secret marketing formula or if you're missing something obvious. It takes clients to run a business. How are you going to get them?

Take a deep breath - you're exactly where many successful entrepreneurs once stood.

The Truth About Getting Started

Your first clients probably won't come from a polished website or a perfectly crafted marketing campaign. They'll come from conversations - real, human connections where you share how you can help solve real problems.

Start Where You Are

Think about your last corporate role. Remember those projects where you really shined? The problems you solved that made your colleagues say "I don't know how you did that"? That's not just work experience - that's your future service offering taking shape. Before you even had the thought of going out on your own, your experience was preparing you for the impact you are going to make in your business. 

Let's break this down into actionable steps that feel manageable, not overwhelming:

Step 1: Define Your Story

Your experience isn't just a resume - it's the foundation of your consulting business.

Take out your notebook and write down:
- Three problems you consistently solved in your previous role
- The specific results you achieved (numbers are great, but transformed situations count too)
- What made your approach unique

Step 2: Activate Your Network

Remember: you're not asking for favors - you're letting people know you're available to help.

Here's your weekly action plan:
- Write: Write three LinkedIn posts sharing an insight from your experience
- Connect: Reach out to two former colleagues just to reconnect
- Network: Join one relevant industry conversation in an online group or in person event

Step 3: Turn Conversations into Opportunities

When someone asks "How can I help?" be ready with a clear answer:
"I help [type of business] solve [specific problem] by [your approach]. Do you know anyone who might be dealing with this challenge?"

Moving Forward

You don't need to do everything at once. Start with one conversation today. Send one message. Write one post. Each small step builds momentum.

Remember: Your expertise isn't just your past - it's someone else's solution waiting to happen.

Ready to Take Action?

Open your calendar right now and block 30 minutes tomorrow for your first outreach. Whether it's drafting that LinkedIn post or sending a message to a former colleague, putting it in your calendar makes it real.

Not sure what to say? Here's a template to customize:

"Hi [Name], I've been thinking about our work together on [project/challenge]. I'm now helping businesses tackle similar challenges as a consultant. Would you be open to a quick catch-up? I'd love to hear what you're working on and share what I've been learning in this space."

Sometimes the simplest step is the one that changes everything.

Want Support for your Outreach?

We would love to brainstorm and solution your outreach message live in our Monthly Entrepreneur Q&A Circle. 

Register to join us here!