How to Find Your First 10 Customers—Even Without a Product

Your business isn’t real until someone pays for it. Finding your first 10 customers is the hardest part—but also the most important.

Step 1: Find Where Your Customers Already Are

• If you sell fitness products, go to the gym.
• If you sell eco-friendly goods, join sustainability Facebook groups.
• If you sell business tools, connect with LinkedIn professionals.

Step 2: Ask, Don’t Sell

Instead of saying, “Would you buy this?” try:

• “What frustrates you most about [problem]?”
• “How do you currently solve [problem]?”
• “What would make your life easier?”

Listening > Selling.

Step 3: Pre-Sell Your Idea

Test demand before launching!

• Set up a waiting list (“Sign up for first access”)
• Offer pre-orders (Even a $1 commitment means real interest)
• Launch a social media poll (“Which feature would you love most?”)

"The Biggest Mistake Entrepreneurs Make—Ignoring Their Customer"

Introduction:

One of the biggest reasons businesses fail isn’t lack of funding or a bad product—it’s not knowing their customer. Entrepreneurs get so caught up in building something they love that they forget to ask: “Who will actually buy this?”

Why You Need to Find Your Perfect Customer Early

Every business solves a problem—but not everyone has that problem. If you don’t identify the right audience, you’ll waste time and money marketing to the wrong people.

How to Spot Your Ideal Customer

Instead of guessing, successful entrepreneurs study their customers like detectives. Here’s how:

1. Observe Behavior: Where do they shop? What brands do they trust? What websites do they visit?
2. Listen to Their Pain Points: What frustrates them? What problem do they wish someone would fix?
3. Ask Directly: Interviews and surveys give real insights, not just assumptions.

Customer Persona: Creating a Clear Picture

A customer persona is a detailed profile of your ideal buyer. Instead of thinking about “everyone,” focus on one specific type of customer.

Example Persona:
👤 Name: Emma, 25
🎓 Background: College student studying sustainability
🌱 Problem: Wants an affordable, eco-friendly water bottle
💳 Buying Behavior: Buys online, follows environmental blogs

How to Validate Your Customer Before Spending a Cent

Before investing in marketing, test your audience:

• Create a poll on social media: “Would you use this product?”
• Run a small ad campaign for as little as R5 to see who clicks.
• Offer a pre-sale or waiting list—people signing up = real demand.

Final Thought:

“Your business isn’t about what YOU want to sell—it’s about what THEY want to buy.”

The faster you figure that out, the faster you can build a business that actually succeeds.

Conclusion:

Instead of guessing, go out and find real customers today. The faster you do this, the faster you build a business people actually need.