If you watch Derek Siver’s TED talk entitled “How to start a movement”, it becomes clear that the catalyst for a movement is the first fan.
This same theory applies to your clients. Your first clients take a big risk by being your first clients. They are willing to stick their neck out there and trust “x” with you, when nobody else has. I hope you thank them profusely, and celebrate them often. I also hope you do the same for others. When you see a small start up, or a girl or guy with a great idea, or a local movement that someone is trying to get started, be the first fan…or client.
Note: There may come a time when you have to leave your first clients behind, and they may not realize it’s you, not them. You’ve grown too large, changed services or focus, or are simply too busy to help them with their needs. The best way to let a good first client go, is to hand them off to another smaller freelancer or company who you know they can trust to give them the same quality of service that you did.
Remember, pay it forward and do unto others what your first clients did for you.
