How I Got My First Paying Client

Everyone says, “get clients online” — but no one tells you how actually to do it when you’re starting from zero.

No brand. No testimonials. No portfolio. No followers.

That’s where I was.

I didn’t have an audience. I didn’t even have a niche.

I was just a broke guy with a laptop, a writing habit, and the drive to figure this thing out.

So, how did I get my first paying client?

I did free work (the right way)

Here’s what happened:

Step 1: Put your name out there

I started posting on Threads and X, sharing simple posts about things I learned, psychology facts, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. No fancy branding. Just me sharing my interests.

Along with learning how to leverage hooks for growth, I started to get some visibility.

Because people can’t hire you if they don’t know you exist (duuh)

Step 2: Offer free work (strategically)

Instead of waiting for clients to magically appear, I started DM’ing people.

No pitching. No begging.
Just showing interest and offering help.

Here are the exact messages I sent:

Simple. Honest. Respectful.

Those messages got replies. And 10 people said yes.

Step 3: Treat free work like paid work

Once someone said yes, I treated it like a $3,000/mo client.

I delivered fast. I asked smart questions. I studied their content so my posts sounded like them.

And when they posted what I wrote, and it performed?

Now I had proof.

That’s what people want to see: Can you do the thing? Can you get results?

Step 4: Turn testimonials into traction

After I delivered, I asked for a quick testimonial.

That gave me social proof - the currency of the internet.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new. If someone says, “This person helped me,” it works.

From that point on, I wasn’t just another beginner. I was someone with results.

Step 5: Leverage the proof, raise the game

Now I gained 7 testimonials in 2 weeks.

1 person wanted liked my post so much he recommended me to his friend - his friend ended up being a $3500/mo client.

Once I had testimonials, I was in the game - one person became my paid client after.

Free work is the barrier to entry - that’s where the snowball starts.

Here’s the thing no one tells you:

You don’t need a niche to start. You don’t need a funnel. You don’t need 10K followers.

You just need one win. One result. One happy person saying “yes, this helped me.”

That’s how it started for me.

So if you're trying to get your first paying client right now, here’s your checklist:

✅ Start posting - show your face
✅ DM people - offer help for free
✅ Deliver like you're getting paid
✅ Ask for a testimonial
✅ Post your results
✅ Repeat

Do this consistently for 30 days and tell me it doesn’t work.

And if you want me to guide you through this whole process - from first post to first client to consistent income:

📩 Reply to this email with “mentor.”

I’ve got one spot open for someone serious about building a writing business.

We get you your first win. The rest will follow.

With love,

Heythem