First customer, were you excited?

[Preemo]

Hello everyone!

I'm asking purely out of interest, I want to see how everyone was!

Obviously once everything's set up etc and you're ready to take on your first customer, you're going to be really excited about what lies ahead. But, were you nervous more than excited? It must have been a strange feeling dealing with a customer of your own for the first time?

Just wanted to know what everyone felt like

All the best!

 

[Iranda]

The first customer is no doubt exciting but gives you so much hope...but then things slow down...setting up a new business is more about hope and despair..

 

[TODonnell]

Yes, it is exciting. But the real satisfaction comes later, when you find you're getting good at making sales.

That's the real trick: getting rid of 'blockages' to sales and finding ways of attracting and facilitating them.

 

[darren atkinson]

My first sale through my eCommerce business was very exciting and nerve racking at the same time.

I even wrote a blog post about it a while back: http://www.ecommerceblog.co.uk/getting-your-first-sale/

 

[proofreadingworks]

My first customer was an accident really - I was looking for a full-time job and sending off speculative applications, then one replied with some freelance proofreading work. Still one of my main clients 3 years later and I'm also setting up a joint business with them. I didn't really appreciate how good this is until I saw this thread!

 

[catsandcanines]

My first customer was a telephone order and I was nervous, my voice was a little shakey. Now I'm used to it.

 

[JDX_John]

Given my new business would typically be selling at £50k per 'order', I sure will be!

 

[lynxus]

Hello everyone!

I'm asking purely out of interest, I want to see how everyone was!

Obviously once everything's set up etc and you're ready to take on your first customer, you're going to be really excited about what lies ahead. But, were you nervous more than excited? It must have been a strange feeling dealing with a customer of your own for the first time?

Just wanted to know what everyone felt like

All the best!

I loved my first customer.

I was initially scared as I just didnt know how they would behave. How i should behave and what they could ask for.

Once new customers came on ive since lost the worry of taking on "bigger" clients but still love it when a new client comes on board.

Its a great feeling.
Someone wants your service and are willing to pay for it.

Thats a great pat on the back

 

[JMRidley]

I remember our first sale. Our site had been live for about a week and we'd had a few visitors but no sales. My brother-in-law was visiting and wanted to buy one of our lunch boxes for his niece so we said would he try placing an order online which he did. We waited a couple of minutes and then checked to see if it had come through and then I shouted - we've got a sale! My husband said - I know we have - my brother's just placed it and I said "No - I mean a real one!". It was for a Hungry Caterpillar Wall Sticker set - only £21 but very exciting!

 

[Liybpg]

I had my first customer through ebay, I remember what a rush it was and how it was about 4:45, I packaged the purchase in about a minute, got dressed and rushed to the post office to send it the same day. Exciting times!

 

[Preemo]

I think I'll be very excited, as it shows your business appeals to someone and can work! However I'll be very nervous, as obviously I'll be new to different situations etc, I'm sure when it comes round to it all it'll be a great day overall though

My first sale through my eCommerce business was very exciting and nerve racking at the same time.

I even wrote a blog post about it a while back: http://www.ecommerceblog.co.uk/getting-your-first-sale/

Brilliant post, very interesting!

 

[simon field]

Our first customer turned out to be a total nightmare.

We had to take them to court to get paid.

We learned never to trust anybody in business.

Hope yours is a goodun!

 

[Preemo]

I can't see mine being anytime soon, I have an idea, and I've started work on it - but it is purely part-time, and I'm aware the profit margin available isn't massive, it's just something I'm really interested in

 

[JamieM]

I don't remember it being overly exciting to be honest. Sure it was good but it was just the first of the millions I had planned for.

On one site I launched the first product that sold was about £16.99 and we gave the customer an iPod Shuffle with a note saying thanks for being our first customer. Never heard a word from them.

 

[mhall]

Strangely, when we first opened the very first customer spent 90p and I remember being quite let down. Then, as she walked out "We've only just begun" by The Carpenters started playing on the radio and I admit I blubbed like a baby. An hour later and the second customer spent £60

 

[Ashley_Price]

Yes, of course, isn't everyone when they get their first customer.

But, you should feel excited every time you get a customer; if you don't then you've lost the love for the business.

When we take on a new client I look forward to working with them and we all really enjoy the different products/services that we learn about.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I can't see mine being anytime soon, I have an idea, and I've started work on it - but it is purely part-time, and I'm aware the profit margin available isn't massive, it's just something I'm really interested in

Don't get disheartened! When I started a secretarial service back in 1996, it was six months before I had my first "official" client. I had got a couple of clients from when I was doing typing to earn a bit of extra cash on top of my factory job; but when I got that first client thanks to the business, it was a great feeling.

 

[roydmoorian]

If that first customer comes too easily you will probably find that he/she owes his/her previous supplier 3 or 4 months invoices

 

[maxine]

I think I was relieved more than excited or nervous. Relieved that things were moving in the direction of my business plan and that it wasn't just numbers in a spreadsheet

My first customer also turned out to be a PITA non payer and I ended up taking their desks in exchange for some of their debt with me (haha ... those were the days!) lol

 

[Jacob F]

First order was more relief with me, I'd finally begun to justify the money and time spent in setting up a business. A long road.

You still get a buzz every time money hits the account from new clients, like another has said, if you've lost that, get out of business and quickly.

I still fret even now because one thing you quickly learn is no two customers are the same and everybody has different expectations and demands. But that provides the drive to make sure you get it right.

 

[Salt & Paper]

Yes, of course, isn't everyone when they get their first customer.

But, you should feel excited every time you get a customer; if you don't then you've lost the love for the business.

When we take on a new client I look forward to working with them and we all really enjoy the different products/services that we learn about.

Absolutely agree with this.

Eventhough our products are quite low- cost, it's still a great buzz every time I see my inbox ping with notification of a new order - and just as I type this another one has come in - makes me smile every time

The first few were more nerve- wracking than anything- I built the software myself from the ground up, and even though I tested it a million times, I was scared it wasn't going to work or the card would be wrong, but of course it wasn't, and we've had many happy customers since we started a couple of months ago

 

[Geoff T]

1st customer is great - BUT...

MAKE SURE you get a copy of your first cheque or statement with a payment on it from a customer...

That's when you know two things...

1. The business has a chance
2. The business can survive

Repeat after me - "a sales is not a sale until..."

(Wish I'd kept my photocopy!)