{"id":33490,"date":"2019-07-05T17:17:52","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T13:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.msp360.com\/resources\/?p=33490"},"modified":"2025-11-07T14:19:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T10:19:54","slug":"how-to-get-managed-service-clients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msp360.com\/resources\/blog\/how-to-get-managed-service-clients\/","title":{"rendered":"MSP’s Guide on How to Get First Clients"},"content":{"rendered":"

The MSP market is more competitive than ever before. With the current array of providers, crafting a unique competitive advantage and differentiating your services from those of others can be a significant challenge. You may have determined how to start a managed services company<\/a>, but the next major hurdle and question you face is: how to get managed services clients?<\/p>\n

Finding that very first MSP client is critical in shaping the course of your organization\u2019s future. In this guide, we offer eight tips on how to get MSP clients, and to help customers find you.<\/p>\n

You might also want to check out MSP's best practices in client onboarding:
\n\"CTA\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Top Tips to Land Your First MSP Client<\/b><\/h2>\n

#1. Ask for a Referral<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"AskAlmost every MSP will tell you how to get MSP clients using your existing client base as a biggest opportunity: referrals. It costs nothing to ask for referrals, and doing so has a high success rate.<\/p>\n

Even if you are new to the game, while starting your own MSP, you most likely already have an IT background and contacts in the IT industry. Don't be afraid to ask for them for referrals.<\/p>\n

Further reading<\/span> How to Get Managed Services Client Referrals<\/a><\/p>\n

#2. Use Essential Communication Channels\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"UseWhen your goal is finding managed services clients, visibility means everything. Rather than searching for an MSP client, let the client find you. Explore ways that potential clients can reach out to you and make sure that all channels are accessible.<\/p>\n

Start by developing a solid and attractive website that highlights the scope of your services. As simple as it may seem, from your organization\u2019s email to the physical address and all relevant phone numbers, make sure that your information is correct, all modes of contact are functional and that you\u2019re properly staffed to respond to inquiries. Also, be sure that your Contact Us<\/b> section is visible across all modes of communication and that you are using this tool to advertise your firm to potential MSP clients.<\/p>\n

Further reading<\/span> 3 Practices to Communicate Effectively with MSP Clients<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Use<\/p>\n

One more tool for presenting you as a reliable IT service provider is Google reviews, which will help you receive more web traffic and thus more inquiries via your website. MSPs consider around 50 5-star reviews to be an average number of ratings.<\/p>\n

Also don't forget to put info about your business in local business catalogs, yellow pages, 4square, and so on.<\/p>\n

Further reading<\/span>\u00a0Sell Your Managed Services Effectively with LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n

The next tip is especially useful for companies that provide computer repair. When your website is finished, you can do local advertising on Google Ads. Although it requires some budget, this tactic can help potential MSP clients in your area to find you.<\/p>\n

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FREE ASSETS<\/div>\n
MSP's Marketing Templates for Selling Backup<\/div>\n
Struggling to win new clients? Use this set of white-label marketing materials to close more Backup-as-a-Service deals.<\/div>\n\"CTA\"<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\"WP<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a>#3. Partner with the Best in the Game<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"PartnerBusiness success is really about building mutually beneficial partnerships. Some well-established MSPs with a large clientele may come across clients that are too \u201csmall\u201d for them. Move-in and make their small clients your first MSP clients<\/b>. You can offer your competitors a commission to refer these small clients to you\u2014which, per industry standard, typically amounts to one month\u2019s recurring revenue.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/a>\"CTA\"<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Another common practice is for new MSPs to buy other small Managed IT Services companies, along with their clients. This is a great way to convert the existing customers of these businesses to your clients. You can offer to solve the issues that the previous company didn\u2019t, and give them a discount to make your offer even more attractive.<\/p>\n

#4. Reorient Your Prospective Customers<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"ReorientOne more tip for getting new clients could be calling local businesses who are hiring sysadmins or an IT team at the moment and explaining to them how your services are better, more cost-effective and more flexible than keeping an IT team on staff.<\/p>\n

Further reading<\/span> Managed Service Providers vs In-House IT Administrators<\/a><\/p>\n

#5. Find Your Niche (Vertical) and Stick to It\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"FindWhen the decision to start an MSP has been made, an appropriately focused entrepreneur begins to explore factors such as:<\/p>\n