10 Ways to Find Your First 10 Clients as a Solo Consultant

Introduction

Starting your solo consulting journey can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff. You have your expertise, your ambition, and your vision—but no clients. One of the biggest fears new consultants face is, “How do I even find my first client?”

The good news? You don’t need a massive ad budget or a large team to land your first 10 clients. You need strategic, consistent action. This article will give you 10 effective ways to find your first clients and start building the consulting business you envisioned.

Who This Is For / Why This List Matters

This list is designed for:

• New solo consultants or freelancers across any industry
• Experienced professionals transitioning from employment to consulting
• Legal, business, or creative consultants looking for proven client-acquisition tactics

These strategies work best during your first 3 to 6 months of launching.

1. Start With Your Existing Network

Your first clients are often people who already know and trust you. Reach out to:

• Former colleagues
• Clients from previous jobs
• University classmates

Let them know what services you offer. Ask if they know anyone who could benefit. Keep it simple, honest, and helpful.

Tip: Use LinkedIn messages or short voice notes on WhatsApp to personalize the approach.

2. Offer a Limited Free or Discounted Trial

This doesn’t mean undervaluing your work. It’s a short-term strategy to build case studies and social proof. For example:

• Offer a 2-hour strategy call at a discounted rate
• Provide one free consultation in exchange for a testimonial

Warning: Set clear expectations. Limit the scope. Make it easy for them to convert into paid clients later.

3. Use Freelance Platforms Strategically

Websites like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer can help you:

• Test market demand for your service
• Understand what clients are searching for
• Gain visibility with a global audience

Focus on a niche service, use clear keywords, and deliver excellent results to earn reviews fast.

4. Attend Local or Online Events

Networking doesn’t have to mean cold pitches. Go where your ideal clients or partners hang out:

• Meetup.com groups
• Webinars and virtual conferences
• Chamber of Commerce events

Come prepared with a simple pitch and a story about who you help.

5. Create Helpful LinkedIn Content

LinkedIn is a goldmine for consultants—especially in B2B. Start by:

• Writing short posts that answer common questions in your niche
• Sharing insights from your journey or case studies
• Commenting meaningfully on others’ posts

Your goal is not to go viral. It’s to be consistently visible and helpful.

6. Pitch to Complementary Businesses

If you offer legal consulting, approach accountants or branding agencies. If you’re a business strategist, talk to marketing firms. Offer a win-win:

• They refer you clients
• You refer clients back or offer a flat referral fee

Build relationships, not just transactions. Trust drives referrals.

7. Build a One-Page Lead Magnet

Create a simple PDF that solves a common pain point your audience has. Example titles:

• “5 Legal Mistakes Startups Must Avoid”
• “3-Page Checklist for Exporting to the EU”

Offer it on your LinkedIn or website in exchange for email addresses.

8. Join Online Communities and Give Free Advice

Find forums, Facebook groups, Slack channels, or Reddit threads where your audience is active. Show up consistently. Don’t spam. Just help:

• Answer questions
• Share tools or templates
• Offer insights

Helping leads to trust. Trust leads to clients.

9. Reach Out to Past Employers as a Consultant

If you left on good terms, consider this your warmest lead.

• Offer to solve one specific issue they struggle with
• Make the transition from employee to consultant feel easy for them

Frame it as a way to stay connected and continue adding value.

10. Start a Simple Newsletter or Blog

You don’t need 1,000 subscribers. You need 10 right ones. Use your content to:

• Answer questions your ideal clients Google
• Explain your process or mindset
• Share success stories

One client from one blog post can justify months of writing.

Mini Case Example

A business operations consultant left her corporate job and started posting weekly on LinkedIn. She also created a Google Form to capture leads. One of her first posts—a breakdown of “5 signs your startup needs better systems”—got only 12 likes, but led to her first discovery call. That call turned into a $1,500/month retainer client.

Moral of the story? You don’t need thousands of views—you need relevance and clarity.

Quick Checklist: First 10 Clients Strategy

Final Thoughts + CTA

Finding your first 10 clients isn’t about doing 100 things. It’s about doing a few key things consistently, with intention. Don’t wait to “perfect” your service. Start conversations. Solve real problems. Build momentum.