Here is exactly what I did from zero to signed client.
DAY 1-3: FOUNDATION
Day 1:
- Set up free n8n account
- Watched 2 hours of tutorials on document extraction
- Built first practice workflow (invoice to spreadsheet)
Day 2:
- Built second practice workflow (form to database)
- Recorded Loom demo of each (60 seconds each)
- Created simple one-page Notion site as "portfolio"
Day 3:
- Picked target industry: Small accounting firms
- Wrote my pitch: "You're spending hours on client document sorting. I can automate 80% of it. Want to see how?"
- Set up free Calendly for booking calls
DAY 4-7: OUTREACH
Day 4:
- LinkedIn search: "accountant drowning in paperwork"
- Found 15 relevant posts
- Commented on 5 with helpful insights
- DM'd 3 people who seemed most frustrated
Day 5:
- Continued LinkedIn engagement
- DM'd 5 more prospects
- Sent message to 10 people in my personal network
Day 6:
- 2 responses from LinkedIn
- 3 responses from network
- Booked 2 discovery calls for next week
Day 7:
- Rest day (sustainable pace matters)
DAY 8-14: CLOSE
Day 8:
- Discovery call #1: Good fit, needs to check budget
- Sent follow-up with simple proposal
Day 10:
- Discovery call #2: Great fit, ready to move
- Live demo with their actual documents
- Quoted $1,600 setup + $140/month
Day 11:
- Discovery call #2 said yes
- Sent simple contract via HelloSign (free)
Day 14:
- Contract signed
- Deposit received
- Started building
THE NUMBERS:
Messages sent: 23
Responses: 7
Discovery calls: 2
Closed: 1
Revenue: $1,600 + $140/month
Time invested: ~20 hours over 14 days
What day are you on in your first client journey?