How to Get Your First 10 Customers as a New Trade Business
12 proven tactics to land your first paying customers in 30 days—scripts, outreach templates, and follow-up workflows that actually convert.
You've got the van, tools, and qualifications. Now you need proof—those first ten paying customers who validate the business and create the testimonials your website is begging for. These 12 tactics give you 30 days of focused outreach, guaranteed scripts, and a follow-up workflow that converts enquiries into jobs.
The 30-Day Challenge
Hit each milestone below and you'll book ten paying jobs this month.
Tap your network
Partnerships & listings
Paid jumpstart + referrals
The fastest way to get your first customers is people who already know you. Start here before spending a penny on advertising.
Tactic 1: The "I Just Went Self-Employed" Announcement
Post on every social media channel you have. Not a sales pitch. A personal story.
Exact Script (Facebook/Instagram):
"Big news. After 8 years as an electrician, I've gone self-employed and launched [Your Business Name]. I'm taking on residential electrical work across [Your Area] - rewires, consumer units, EV chargers, fault-finding, and emergency callouts. If you know anyone who needs electrical work, I'd be grateful for the referral. First 10 customers get 10% off as a thank you for supporting a new business. Drop me a message or call 07XXX XXX XXX"
Expected Result: 2-5 enquiries within 48 hours. Convert 2-3 into jobs.
Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.
Tactic 2: The Personal WhatsApp Broadcast
Message 50-100 people directly. Don't copy-paste the same message. Personalize it.
Example Message:
"Hey [Name]. Hope you're well. Just wanted to let you know I've started my own plumbing business. If you ever need any work done - or know anyone who does - I'd really appreciate the referral. Cheers, [Your Name]"
Expected Result: 5-10 replies. 1-2 immediate jobs. 3-5 "I'll keep you in mind" (future customers).
Tactic 3: Ask 10 People for Referrals (By Name)
Call 10 people. Ask them directly: "Do you know anyone who needs [your trade]?"
The Call Script:
"Hey [Name], I just started my own [trade] business and I'm looking for my first few customers. Do you know anyone - friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues - who might need [specific service]? I'm offering a discount to early customers and I'd really appreciate any introductions."
Expected Result: 3-5 solid leads from people who WANT to help you succeed.
Week 1 Target: 2-3 customers
Your network is your fastest route to first customers. Don't skip this step to jump straight to paid advertising.
Week 2: Get Visible Locally (Day 8-14)
Tactic 4: Google My Business (Do This TODAY)
Free. Takes 10 minutes. Shows up in "plumber near me" searches immediately.
Setup Checklist:
- ✓ Claim your business at google.com/business
- ✓ Add 10+ photos (van, you working, before/after jobs)
- ✓ Complete all info (hours, services, area covered)
- ✓ Get 3-5 reviews from friends/family who've seen your work
- ✓ Post weekly updates (even if it's just "Available for emergency callouts this weekend")
Expected Result: 1-2 enquiries per week once set up properly.
Tactic 5: Join Local Facebook Groups
Every area has "Recommendations" or "Buy & Sell" groups with 5,000-20,000 members.
What to Post:
"Local electrician available in [Area]. Qualified, insured, and registered. Specializing in consumer units, rewires, and fault-finding. Free quotes. Message me or call 07XXX XXX XXX"
How Often: Once per group per week (more = spam, less = invisible)
Expected Result: 2-4 enquiries per week from active groups.
Tactic 6: Door Hangers in Your Local Area
Print 500 door hangers for £50. Target 500 houses within 2 miles of your home.
What Works:
- • Large headline: "LOCAL PLUMBER - [Your Street Name] BASED"
- • Simple list of services
- • Your mobile number (LARGE)
- • "Emergency callouts available"
- • Include a £20 off coupon for first-time customers
Expected Result: 1-2% response rate = 5-10 enquiries per 500 hangers.
Week 2 Target: 3-4 customers
Local visibility builds momentum. Google + Facebook Groups + Door hangers = consistent enquiry flow.
Week 3-4: Build Momentum (Day 15-30)
Tactic 7: Partner with Complementary Trades
Find 3-5 trades who serve the same customers but don't compete with you.
Who to Partner With:
- If you're an electrician: Partner with plumbers, kitchen fitters, builders
- If you're a plumber: Partner with electricians, gas engineers, bathroom fitters
- If you're HVAC: Partner with electricians, builders, property maintenance
The Ask: "If you ever have a customer who needs [your trade], refer them to me. I'll do the same for you when they need [their trade]."
Expected Result: 1-2 referrals per partner per month once established.
Tactic 8: Offer a "New Business Special"
First 10 customers get a discount. Creates urgency. Gives people a reason to book NOW.
Example Offers:
- • "10% off for first 10 customers"
- • "£50 off jobs over £300 - first 10 only"
- • "Free safety check with any job booked this month"
Why it works: FOMO + supporting a new business = people are more likely to book immediately.
Tactic 9: Target Property Landlords
Landlords need regular work: safety certificates, repairs, tenant callouts. One landlord with 5 properties = recurring revenue.
How to Find Them:
- • Local landlord Facebook groups
- • Property management companies
- • Letting agents (ask to be on their contractor list)
- • Rightmove/Zoopla rental listings (contact landlord directly)
The Pitch: "I'm a local [trade] offering competitive rates for landlord work. I can provide certificates, handle emergency callouts, and invoice promptly. Would you like a quote for your properties?"
Expected Result: Land 1-2 landlords = 5-10 properties to service ongoing.
Tactic 10: Nextdoor App
Neighbourhood social network. Homeowners actively ask for trade recommendations daily.
What to Do:
- 1. Download Nextdoor app and verify your address
- 2. Create business page (free)
- 3. Search for posts asking for [your trade]
- 4. Reply within 1 hour with professional offer
- 5. Post your own introduction once per neighbourhood
Expected Result: 1-3 enquiries per week from active participation.
Tactic 11: The "Neighbour Discount" Strategy
When you finish a job, knock on 5 neighbouring doors.
The 30-Second Pitch:
"Hi, I'm [Name] - I just finished some work for your neighbour at number [X]. I'm a local plumber and I'm in the area today. If you've got any dripping taps, slow drains, or anything that needs looking at, I can take a quick look now while I'm here. No callout charge since I'm already on your street."
Expected Result: 1 in 10 neighbours will have something that needs doing. That's 1-2 extra jobs per week.
Tactic 12: Trade-Specific Lead Sites (Use Sparingly)
Checkatrade, Rated People, Bark, MyBuilder. Expensive but can fill your first week.
The Reality:
- Cost: £5-15 per lead
- Conversion: 20-30% (you're competing with 3-5 other quotes)
- Strategy: Use for 4-8 weeks to fill calendar, then wean off as word-of-mouth grows
Budget: £200-300 should get you 20-30 leads = 5-8 jobs in first month.
Week 3-4 Target: 3-4 customers
Multiple channels working together. Momentum builds. Word-of-mouth starts kicking in.
The Secret Weapon: Over-Deliver on First 10 Jobs
Your first 10 customers are your marketing team. Turn them into raving fans and they'll bring you the next 50.
How to Turn Customers Into Referral Machines:
What NOT to Do
× Don't Wait for a Website
You don't need a website to get your first 10 customers. Facebook page + Google My Business is enough. Build website later.
× Don't Underprice to Win Work
Charge proper rates from day one. Cheap customers are difficult customers. You're training people what to expect.
× Don't Spam Every Facebook Group Daily
You'll get banned. Post once per group per week max. Value over volume.
× Don't Rely on Just One Channel
If you only do Facebook, you're vulnerable. Mix 4-5 channels so if one dries up, others compensate.
× Don't Ignore Enquiries for 24 Hours
Reply within 1 hour or they'll book someone else. Speed wins in the first 30 days.
The Complete 30-Day Action Plan
| Week | Primary Actions | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | • Social media announcement • WhatsApp 50-100 contacts • Call 10 people for referrals | 2-3 customers |
| Week 2 | • Setup Google My Business • Join 5-10 local Facebook groups • Distribute 500 door hangers | 3-4 customers |
| Week 3-4 | • Partner with 3 complementary trades • Target landlords • Nextdoor + neighbour strategy • Lead sites (if needed) | 3-4 customers |
| TOTAL | 12 tactics working together | 10+ customers |
After Your First 10 Customers
You've proven the business works. Now it's time to build systems.
1. Get 10 Google reviews - Ask every customer. This becomes your best marketing.
2. Track what worked - Which channel brought the best customers? Do more of that.
3. Ask for referrals - "Do you know anyone else who might need [your trade]?"
4. Stay in touch - Text customers 6 months later: "Just checking in - anything need looking at?"
5. Build a waiting list - When you're fully booked, collect names for next available slot.
Success Formula: Network + Local visibility + Over-deliver = First 10 customers in 30 days
The Bottom Line
You don't need a big marketing budget to get your first 10 customers.
You need hustle, consistency, and excellent work.
Follow this plan for 30 days. Work the tactics. Show up on time. Do great work. Ask for reviews. Your first 10 customers will bring you the next 50.
Track Every Customer From Day One
Toolfy helps new businesses track customers, quotes, and invoices from their first job. See which marketing channels work best. £29/month, no setup fees.
Start Free Trial →Turn ad clicks into booked jobs inside Toolfy
- •Track every lead source and know which keywords pay for themselves
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- •Auto-send follow-ups so enquiries become revenue within 48 hours
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