How to Get Your First 100 Customers as a Startup

When you are a startup, getting those first hundred customers can honestly feel like the toughest thing on your plate. It does not matter if you are selling a neat product, a helpful service, or some really clever new solution; pulling in those early users is super important for getting things rolling and showing that your business idea actually has legs. Here in 2025, there are more tools and ways to do things than ever before for new businesses, but at the end of the day, success really just comes down to how you go about it.

So, here is how you can probably get your first 100 customers without spending a fortune or running yourself ragged.

Start with Who You Know

Before you even think about putting money into ads or bringing on a marketing team, just look at the folks you already know, both personally and professionally. A lot of times, your very first customers are going to be people who already trust you and are familiar with you, so definitely do not be shy about reaching out.

What to do: Just tell your friends, your family, and your coworkers about what you are doing with your startup. And, you know, ask them to spread the word around. You could even give them early access, maybe a little discount, or some bonus for referring others to get them excited about helping you launch.

A little tip: When people are truly excited about what you are offering, word-of-mouth marketing can be incredibly powerful. Use your existing connections to create some early buzz.

Get Yourself a Good Spot Online

In 2025, every new business needs a solid presence online. Having a website that generates traffic, active profiles on social media, and a blog, or some kind of content strategy, can really help you connect with people who might become your customers.

What to do: create a website that makes it really clear what your product or service is all abo, ut and make sure it is easy for people to find their way around, also make sure that the website looks good, and works well on phones too. Use places like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to share updates, run promotions, and just chat with your audience.

A little tip: Getting your website seen on search engines is important for bringing in visitors without paying for ads, so focus on those longer, more specific search phrases and create really good, useful content to get people to your site.

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Think About Early Bird Offers or Free Trials

Giving out "early bird" discounts or letting people try things for free is a fantastic way to get those initial customers signed up. This works especially well if you have a software service or something people subscribe to. Folks are more likely to give your offering a shot if they feel like they are getting a great deal, or if they can check it out without any strings attached.

What to do: Create an offer that is just for a short time or a special discount for your first 100 customers. Or, you could always offer a basic free version or a trial period for your product or service.

A little tip: Make it super clear that this offer is exclusive and will not last forevewhichhat will make people want to jump on it faster.

Work with Influencers, Even Small Ones

Influencers are still a really strong marketing tool, but you do not have to team up with huge names to make a difference. Even smaller influencers, the ones with fewer followers but who really connect with them, are often budget-friendly or even work on commission-based, can bring in some serious results.

What to do: Reach out to influencers who are active in your specific area and suggest working together; they can review your product, do "unboxing" videos, or even sponsored posts. Just make sure you pick influencers whose audience really matches up with the people you are trying to reach.

A little tip: Generally, these smaller influencers charge less than the big ones but can often get more people to engage. When you are picking influencers, think about quality over just how many followers they have.

Try Some Focused Ads

Paying for ads can quickly help you reach potential customers, especially when you focus on really specific ads, it as Facebook ads, Google ads, or promotions on Instagram. Setting up exact targeting lets you connect with people most likely to be interested in what you have.

What to do: Set up ad campaigns that target specific groups using things like demographics, interests, or online behavior to find individuals who would most likely become customers. Start with a small budget and try out different ad styles and messages.

A little tip: Use ads that follow up with people who visited your website but did not buy anything. This can really help you get more sales.

Go to Networking Events and Trade Shows

Networking events, industry get-togethers, and trade shows can be a great chance to meet potential customers directly. After the pandemic, many events have moved online, giving you virtual ways to network and show off what you have.

What to do: Go to events that are relevant to your business to meet potential customers, partners, or even influencers. Offer free samples, show how your product works, or give access to your service to get people interested.

A little tip: Think about hosting your own webinars or online events to show off your product and engage with an audience that is already interested.

Offer Really Good Customer Help

Your very first customers are probably going to be early adopters, and they will expect to talk with you quite a bit. Giving truly excellent customer service can go a long way in turning them into loyal fans who tell others about you.

What to do: Set up a way for customers to get help with easy-to-find communication channels like live chat, email, and social media messages. Make sure you respond quickly and are genuinely helpful when they have questions or concerns.

A little tip: Encourage your early customers to leave reviews or write testimonials that you can use to bring in even more people. Positive feedback from others really builds trust and credibility.

Run Contests and Giveaways

Everyone loves getting something for free, and running a contest or promotion is a really good way to create excitement and get people to visit your website. By offering a prize that makes sense with your product or service, you can get people involved and encourage them to share your business with others.

What to do: Create a contest on social media where people can enter by liking your page, sharing your content, or tagging their friends. The more people who interact with your brand, the more likely they are to become customers.

A little tip: Make sure the prize is something your audience will actually want. For instance, if you are selling fitness gear, offer a fitness package or a personal training session as the main prize.

Use Content Marketing and SEO

Content marketing can be one of the most effective ways to attract and engage the people you are trying to reach. By creating valuable content related to your industry, you can bring visitors to your website without paying for ads and build trust with future customers.

What to do: Start a blog or a YouTube channel that addresses the problems your target customers are facing. Produce "how-to" guides, product reviews, or insights into your industry to give useful information and bring in traffic.

A little tip: Make your content optimized for search engines to show up higher in results. Use tools like Google Analytics and do keyword research to make your content perform better.

Team Up with Other Startups

Working together with other startups or businesses that have a similar customer base but are not direct rivals can be a win-win situation for everyone. Partnering with complementary brands lets you reach their audience, and they can reach yours.

What to do: Look for startups that appeal to a similar group of customers and suggest a cross-promotional deal. This could be through shout-outs on social media, joint promotions, or even co-hosting an event.

A little tip: Make sure your partner's values and what they offer align with your brand so the partnership feels natural and makes sense.

A Few Final Thoughts

You know, getting those first 100 customers might seem like a pretty huge undertaking, but with the right plan and some determination, it is definitely something you can do. By using your existing connections, getting yourself a good online presence, offering appealing incentives, and using targeted marketing, you can attract the right customers and really get things moving for long-term success. Visit Buzzing Chat for more relatable resources. Just keep focusing on providing real value, building trust, and always making your product better to keep customers coming back for more.