So, you are starting a business.
First off, congrats. Starting a business is exciting, empowering, and maybe just a tiny bit overwhelming. If you are feeling the pressure of wanting to get everything right out of the gate, take a deep breath. I have got you.
I am Tara Wagner, lifelong entrepreneur and Accredited Small Business Consultant. I have been building businesses for nearly 25 years, and I now help real people build real businesses that hit six and multi-six figures with less stress and more sustainability.
Here are the 7 things you need to do in your first week to start gaining traction, attracting clients, and avoiding burnout.
1. Create a Launch Plan
Do not just quietly open the doors. Make a splash.
Think of your business launch like an event. Whether it is online or offline, make it exciting enough that people want to pay attention.
Ask yourself:
- How will people know you are open?
- Where do you already have a following?
- Who can you reach out to directly?
Post on your existing social media. Email friends, family, and strategic alliances. Consider a launch event, giveaway, or challenge. Use incentives like bonuses, trials, or limited-time offers (with boundaries, keep it time-limited or people-limited).
Hot tip: Friends and family might not be your customers, but they can be your megaphone. Ask them, "Who do you know who would love this?"
2. Spend 75% of Your Time on Marketing
No one can buy from you if they do not know you exist.
If you did your prep work before launching, you have already created a marketing plan. Now it is time to execute. And in your first week, you should be spending at least 75% of your time on marketing. That is not an exaggeration.
This includes:
- Showing up daily where your people hang out
- Engaging purposefully, not just small talk
- Offering value and starting real conversations
- Prioritizing engagement and outreach over just content
- Starting one-on-one conversations in DMs, email replies, coffee chats
You do not grow a business by lurking or waiting. You grow it by showing up with value and starting real connections.
3. Create a Strategic Alliance Plan
Other people already have your audience. Your job? Get in front of them.
Start building relationships with complementary businesses, not competitors. These are people who serve your ideal client in a different way.
For example:
- Bookkeeper and CPA
- Health coach and personal trainer
- Writer and local library or bookstore
- Landscaper and general contractor
Reach out to 3 to 5 potential collaborators in week one. Offer value, co-host an event, do an IG Live together, create a referral system, whatever fits your style and theirs.
Many of my clients have built full businesses just off strategic alliances alone. No ads, no content. Leverage what already exists.
Need a roadmap for your first year?
Take the Business Breakthrough Assessment and find out exactly where you are and what to work on first.
Take the Free Assessment4. Start Selling Immediately
Do not wait until everything is "perfect." Start messy.
Too many business owners hold off on selling because they think they need a fully polished offer, the perfect sales page, or fancy funnels and automation.
Nope. What you need is practice. Selling early gets you real feedback, helps you test your offer, and gives you the confidence to talk about what you do.
Start with:
- A soft launch to your warmest leads
- Conversations in networking groups
- Past clients, colleagues, or friends of friends
And even if you are not officially "selling" yet, practice talking about what you do every day. You are normalizing sales now, so they are second nature by month six.
5. Start Building Your Email List
Whether you are a coach or a candle maker, you need a list.
Here is what you can do:
- Create a waitlist, a freebie, a discount code, or a juicy lead magnet
- Make it actually valuable, something you could charge for
- Ask friends and family to share it (qualified leads only)
- Put that signup link everywhere: email signature, homepage, social media bios
Your email list is your business insurance. You control it. You own it. And it is one of the best tools to build relationships and generate revenue over time.
6. Start Tracking Your Metrics Immediately
Remember this: what gets measured, gets mastered. Start tracking and learning to read the data now to help you improve your KPIs (key performance indicators).
Track things like engagement, traffic, and inquiries. These numbers tell you what methods attract the most clients, what part of your funnel is broken, and ultimately where to put your time in the coming months.
Do not chase vanity metrics. Prioritize leads and conversions over likes.
Use something simple like Google Sheets. It is never too early to start tracking your numbers. Your data will show you what is working and what is wasting your time. That gives you clarity, not confusion, and helps you grow faster.
7. Refine Your Daily Workflow for Efficiency
The habits you start with are the habits you strengthen.
Start building strong routines now. Set aside focused blocks of time for:
- Content
- Outreach
- Admin
- Sales
Put revenue-generating tasks (marketing and sales) first in your day, while your energy is high.
Bonus tip? Automate as you go. Use tools, templates, or systems that save you time so you can stay in your zone of genius.
Bonus: Set Realistic Expectations
Let us be real. Overnight success is a myth.
Across industries, the average business does not turn a profit for 2 to 3 years. That said, my clients usually start seeing take-home income within 3 to 6 months (sometimes sooner), especially in service-based industries.
Your results will depend on:
- Your marketing plan
- Your consistency
- Your willingness to stretch your comfort zone
Do not just hang a shingle and wait. Get out there. Meet people. Network. Shake hands. Tap shoulders.
Businesses that grow fast market well, and they never stop marketing.
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