Find Your First
Business
No experience. Just a phone and a plan.
Your first prospect is out there.
This guide will show you exactly how to find a real business that needs help — using just your phone and Facebook. No marketing experience required.
🎯 What Makes a Good First Prospect?
- ✔ Local – You can understand their market and they're more approachable.
- ✔ Owner‑operated – The person you message is likely the decision‑maker.
- ✔ Visible online – They have a Facebook page and some activity (even if it's old).
- ✔ Has a need – Low reviews, old posts, no website link – these are opportunities.
🏆 Best Businesses to Start With
🏡 Realtors
Need visibility and often have outdated online presence.
🍽️ Restaurants
Need reviews, photos, and customer engagement.
🔧 Roofers
Local, service‑based, usually have a simple website that could be improved.
🪠 Plumbers
High demand, low online polish – a perfect match.
⚡ Electricians
They want more leads. You can show them how.
🛠️ Handymen
Often rely on word‑of‑mouth – help them get found online.
🦷 Dentists
They invest in marketing, but many are stuck with outdated methods.
🏬 Local retail
Boutiques, gift shops, small stores – they need visibility.
🚗 Auto dealers
Local car lots and used dealers often lack a strong online presence.
💆 Chiropractors
Health professionals who rely on local reputation and reviews.
🚫 Businesses to Avoid at First
- ✖ Public companies – Too many layers, hard to reach decision‑makers.
- ✖ Banks – Highly regulated, not a good fit for first outreach.
- ✖ Large corporations – They have agencies and internal teams.
- ✖ Government – Long sales cycles, bureaucracy.
- ✖ Celebrities – They rarely respond to cold messages.
Stick with local, owner‑operated businesses. They're easier to reach, more likely to reply, and you can make a real impact.
🔎 Simple Facebook Search Terms
Copy and paste these into the Facebook search bar. Replace [city] with your local area.
🟢 Green Flags – Signs They May Need Help
- 📅 Old posts – Nothing new in weeks or months.
- 📄 Weak About section – Sparse or incomplete.
- ⭐ Few reviews – Less than 10, or mostly generic.
- 📰 No press mentions – They haven't been featured anywhere.
- 📢 No recent news – No updates about promotions or events.
- 🌐 No website link – Missing a website on their Facebook page.
- 📸 Poor photos – Blurry, low‑quality, or outdated images.
- 📖 No clear story – You can't tell what they stand for.
🔴 Red Flags – Signs to Skip
- ✖ No contact info – No phone, email, or address.
- ✖ Angry page comments – Customers complaining publicly.
- ✖ Looks abandoned – No posts for over a year.
- ✖ Corporate franchise page – Decisions made elsewhere.
- ✖ No local owner visible – Feels like a generic corporate page.
📋 Your First 10-Business List
| # | Business Name | Industry | Page Link | Green Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 2 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 3 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 4 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 5 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 6 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 7 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 8 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 9 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| 10 | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
📝 Quick Field Assignment
Open Facebook on your phone and find 10 businesses using the search terms above. For each one, write down:
- ✔ Business name
- ✔ Facebook page link
- ✔ Industry
- ✔ One positive thing you noticed
- ✔ One possible opportunity (green flag)
Complete this now. It takes 15 minutes and gives you a ready‑to‑use list for Quick Win #2.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ❌ Picking a business that's too big – You'll get ignored. Start small and local.
- ❌ Skipping research – Not checking their page before reaching out.
- ❌ Overthinking – You don't need to be perfect. Just start.
- ❌ Messaging only one business – Create a list of 10 so you're not waiting on one reply.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't find any businesses in my area?
Expand your search to a nearby city or use "near me" without a city name.
How do I know if a business is owner‑operated?
Check the About section – it often mentions the owner. Look for "family‑owned" or a personal story.
What if the business has no Facebook page?
Skip it. You need a page to message them. Find another one.
How many businesses should I find?
Start with 10. That gives you enough options to begin outreach.
What if I find a business but they have lots of reviews?
That's fine – look for other green flags like old posts or no website link.
Is it okay to message a business that already has a website?
Yes – their website might be outdated or hard to find. That's an opportunity.
What if the business is in a different city?
That's fine – you can message any local business, even if it's not in your exact town.
How long should I spend on this?
15‑20 minutes is enough to find 10 businesses. Don't overthink – just start.