How to Get Your First Customer As an Education Business Owner

While starting an education business is exciting, finding your first customer can feel daunting. In this blog post, you’ll find our best tips on how to get your first client as an education business owner. 

Whether you’re launching an online tutoring business, offering coaching or professional development, creating online courses, etc., you might feel overwhelmed thinking that you have to convince someone to take a chance on you or your services. 

Keep in mind that as an educator, you already have skills and qualities that make for a successful education business owner. It’s just a matter of having the right approach. 

Let’s explore a strategic approach to help you find that all-important first customer or client and lay the foundation for your success. 

Take These Steps to Get Your First Customers

When you think of your business as helping others, it becomes easier to connect with potential customers. 

At the heart of it, all businesses solve problems. So make sure you’re clear on your education business: What problem does your service or product solve? Who needs it the most? 

Keeping these questions in mind and making them the foundation of your sales and marketing efforts can help with finding clients for your business.

1. Start With Your Existing Network (the People You Already Know!)

Your strongest connections are the people who already trust and respect your work – such as your colleagues, friends, former students, and their parents. These folks could very well be your first clients or customers! Let them know about your new business and ask if they know anyone who might benefit from your services. Even if they don’t need it themselves, they might refer you to someone who does!

2. Provide Value in a Free Workshop or Session

One of the best ways to gain trust and get your first customer (or first several customers!) is to let people experience your work firsthand. Host a free online class, tutoring session, or workshop to showcase your value and expertise. This not only builds credibility but also encourages word-of-mouth referrals.

3. Show Up Where Your Audience Is

Think about where your ideal customer spends time. Are parents in local Facebook groups discussing their kids’ education? Are educators and/or education leaders in LinkedIn communities looking for professional development? 

Getting your first customer could be as simple as joining the conversation. Start by sharing helpful insights, answering questions, and naturally introducing your services when appropriate.

If your business supports schools or educators, partnerships can be a powerful way to find customers. Reach out to local schools, libraries, or parent groups to offer a workshop or training session. These collaborations can introduce you to a ready-made audience full of potential education business customers.

Industry events, parent-teacher meetings, and virtual or local networking events can also be great opportunities to meet potential customers or partners. Bring business cards (if you’re in person), be prepared to pitch your services, and focus on building relationships.

4. Stay Persistent 

Finding customers for your education business may take time, but consistency is key. Keep refining your approach, learning from interactions, and improving your offerings based on feedback.

Many educators aren’t used to “selling” or pitching themselves. But think of it as helping or simply sharing a solution. If you believe in the value of what you offer, talk about it confidently. Whether at networking events, on social media, or in everyday conversations, be ready to explain how your business helps others. This is key in getting your first clients.

5. Build Momentum and Keep Going

Finding your first customer takes time, but each conversation and connection builds momentum. Keep refining your message, listening to your audience, and showing up consistently.

Once you land that first customer, the next ones will come more easily! Be sure to ask your first customer(s) for feedback and a testimonial or review (even from a free session). Positive feedback can significantly boost your credibility and attract more customers for your education business.

Your first customer is just the beginning. By being proactive, leveraging your network, and offering value, you can build trust and grow your education business. Stay committed, and soon, your first customer will be one of many!

Ready to get more support in building your business and network with other education business owners?

Whether you’re an aspiring education business owner or you’re looking to scale your current business, join Educator Forever’s Education Business Network. This course + network will help you transform your passion and expertise into a thriving education business with everything you need to fast-track your success.

While many ideas and courses out there focus on business strategies, this program is uniquely designed for the education industry to give you everything you need to have a successful education business. 

In this high-impact, small-group program, you’ll not only gain critical business knowledge but also join a vibrant community of like-minded educators ready to share insights, collaborate, and grow alongside you. 

Through the program, you’ll gain:

✅The Education Business Foundations course focused on business and marketing essentials

✅Interactive videos, action plans, and activities to help you successfully launch your business

✅Live business growth group calls each week

✅Monthly instructional calls with business experts  

✅A supportive community of educators and business owners

You’ll also gain confidence in selling and promoting yourself, along with guidance to bring in clients and revenue in a way that feels good to you

Sign up now to fast-track your success and build connections to take your business to the next level!