How to make your first sale: Tips for new businesses

You’ve got the idea, the product, and the motivation, but now you’re probably wondering how to make your first sale and prove there’s real demand for what you offer. Even if you’re still working through the early steps of starting a business, with a few smart moves, you’ll be a lot closer than you think.

In this article, we’ll explore how to tap into your network to build early momentum, create offers that turn first-time buyers into customers, and stay consistent even when the sale hasn’t come in yet. Let’s walk through this together and help you land that very first sale.

1. Tap into your network

One of the smartest things you can do when you’re just starting your business is to reach out to the people who already know and trust you, such as:

Friends and family

Don’t be afraid to tell your friends and family about your business. They might not all buy, but they can help spread the word, give you honest feedback, or connect you with someone who needs what you’re offering.

Social media

Post about your business on your personal and business accounts. You don’t need a massive following, just talk about what you’re offering and how people can buy. You might be surprised how many people are ready to support you.

Email list

Even a small email list can go a long way, because if someone signed up, it means they’re already interested. So, try sending out a short message to announce your product or service launch, and throw in a limited-time discount to encourage your subscribers to take that next step.

2. Offer irresistible incentives

If you’ve been asking yourself, How do I sell a product when no one knows me yet? Well, offering a good deal can make all the difference. To give your potential customers an irresistible reason to buy, consider the following:

First-time discounts

You can offer 10% or 20% off to first-time buyers when generating invoices for your services, or create a promo code like WELCOME10 just for your email subscribers. It’s a simple way to reward early customers and keep their interest in your product or service.

Bundles or packages

People love feeling like they’re getting more for their money. Try bundling related products or services together in your invoice at a lower price than buying them separately. This adds value to your offer and makes it easier for customers to say yes to you.

Free gifts or add-ons

Adding gifts and bonuses to your offer doesn’t have to be expensive, what matters is that it feels thoughtful. Including a small freebie with your first few orders or offering a free upgrade for early buyers can be a great surprise bonus.

Contests or giveaways

If you want to create buzz around your new business, giveaways are a great option. Just make sure the prize is your actual product or service, so people get familiar with what you offer while you grow your audience.

Additional reading: 

7 tips to make your small business stand out 

3. Provide exceptional customer service

Your first customers are putting their trust in you, so make sure they walk away thinking, “Wow, that was amazing.”Here’s how you can create outstanding customer service:

Be responsive

When a customer reaches out with a question, reply as quickly as you can, even if it’s just to say, “I’ll get back to you soon.” Whether it’s through email, social media, or chat, showing that you’re available and attentive goes a long way in building trust.

Go the extra mile

Little things like a quick product tip based on what a customer bought, or a surprise discount code tucked into their package can make a big impact. These thoughtful gestures stick in people’s minds and make them more likely to buy from you again.

Ask for feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask how things went. Sending a short follow-up message or survey asking about their experience makes customers feel appreciated and shows that you’re always looking to improve.

4. Leverage content marketing

Wondering how do I sell a product without being pushy? Content marketing lets you build trust while showing people exactly why your offer matters. Here are a few easy ways you can start creating content:

Blog posts

Think of writing blog posts as sharing helpful advice with a friend. To make them effective:

• Share tips, how-tos, or answers to common questions related to what you offer
• Use simple language and break things into short, readable sections
• Always include a clear next step, like “Shop now” or “Learn more”

Social media posts

This is where your brand gets to show a little personality and go visual. For your posts to build real connections, try to:

• Post photos or short videos that show how your product helps people
• Write captions that tell a quick story or explain the benefits
• Ask questions or invite comments to get people talking

Videos

Video content is powerful, as about 84% of customers say watching product videos convinced them to buy. The good news is you don’t need fancy equipment. With just your phone, you can:

• Record quick demos that show your product or service in action
• Share insider content to humanize your brand
• Create short tutorials that solve a problem your audience is facing

At the end of the day, your content just needs to be helpful. That’s what builds trust and gets customers interested in buying from you. 

Read next: 10 ways small businesses are using AI.

5. Explore strategic partnerships

When you’re trying to land your first sale, teaming up with the right people helps you reach more potential customers, faster. Here are a few ways to do that:

Collaborate with complementary businesses

Look for businesses that serve the same kind of audience as you but don’t offer the same thing. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, teaming up with graphic designers can help you offer more value to your clients.

Reach out to influencers

You don’t need a big-budget influencer campaign to make an impact. Instead, look for influencers who genuinely fit your brand because even those with small but loyal followings can be super effective. Focus on building real, long-term connections with them.

Offer affiliate programs

Create a simple affiliate program where people earn a small commission for referring sales. You can even start with friends or happy customers. This way, you grow your reach through word-of-mouth marketing, which over 94% of customers trust more than other forms of advertising.

6. Optimize your online presence

When you’re figuring out how to make your first sale, having a solid online presence is a must. It helps customers verify that your business is legit and increases the chances that they’ll feel confident buying from you. Here are a few key areas to focus on:

Your website

You don’t need a fancy website, but it should make it easy for customers to buy. Here’s how:

• Ensure the interface is easy to navigate on both desktop and mobile
• Make your product details, pricing, and “buy” buttons easy to find
• Add testimonials or reviews if you have them as people trust what others say
• Test your checkout process from start to finish to make sure there are no bugs

Social media

Before people buy, they often check your socials to see if you’re the real deal. So ensure you:

• Use a clear profile photo and write a bio that explains what you offer
• Post regularly to stay active and visible to potential customers
• Share customer stories and testimonials to build credibility

Online marketplaces

Marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, or Fiverr can be a great way to reach new buyers fast and get discovered. Be sure to:

• Use clear titles, detailed descriptions, and high-quality photos
• Add tags and categories so people can find exactly what they’re looking for

The goal is simple when optimizing your online presence: make it easy for someone to find you and buy from you.

7. Don’t give up!

It’s totally normal to wonder, How do I sell a product when nothing seems to be working yet? But don’t let that doubt stop you from pushing forward. Remember, building a business takes time and patience.

Persistence is key

Even if you haven’t made a sale yet, keep showing up as you’re still in the early stages. Try different approaches, and don’t be afraid to adjust when something isn’t working. Every small step you take builds momentum, even if you can’t see it yet.

Learn from every interaction

Every email, question, or comment is a chance to learn something. Pay attention to what customers are asking or what’s holding them back from buying. Use that feedback to tweak how you present your offer or price it.

Celebrate your wins

When that first sale comes through, celebrate it. Seriously, shout it from the rooftops if you want to, because it’s a huge moment! Every sale after that is worth celebrating too, and sharing your progress helps keep you motivated along the way.

Conclusion

Learning how to make your first sale is a major turning point because it’s proof that your business has real potential. Here’s a quick recap of what we covered in this article:

• Tap into your network to get early support from people who already trust you
• Offer irresistible incentives that give customers a reason to take a chance on you
• Deliver amazing customer service that makes people want to come back
• Use content marketing to build trust and show the value of what you offer
• Team up with the right partners to expand your reach and gain new exposure
• Optimize your online presence so people can find you and feel confident buying
• Keep going, even when it’s slow, because persistence pays off

Remember, every business starts somewhere. What matters most is that you’re taking action and learning along the way. Your first sale might take some trial and error, but it will come if you stay consistent.

Additional resources:

• 6 bookkeeping tips for small businesses
• How to track expenses as a small business
• 5 ways to take your small business to the next level