Stop Wondering How to “Win” Clients (Do This Instead)

The other day, I had a call with a woman who’s just starting her business.
At one point she said, “I’m still waiting for my first client.”

And I could almost feel her whole body tense through the screen.
It’s wild, isn’t it?
How one little word — first — can suddenly make everything feel big, serious, and high-stakes.

If you’re anything like her (definitely me in the beginning!), you might be carrying more pressure around sales than you realize.

Maybe you scroll through LinkedIn and see “5-figure months” everywhere.
Maybe you tell yourself you should already have clients by now.
Maybe every conversation feels like it needs to turn into a “yes” — otherwise you start doubting everything.

Let me tell you: That’s so normal!
It actually shows that your nervous system is doing its job: it’s trying to keep you safe. 

When your mind says, “This has to work,” your nervous system hears,

“This is big. This is dangerous. We’re not sure we can handle this.”

That’s all pressure really is: your body trying to protect you from the unknown.

Now, imagine this instead:
What if selling didn’t feel like a math test, but like a normal conversation?
What if instead of trying to win a client, you simply met one?

I like to think of it as a date.
You show up. She shows up. You talk. You see if it’s a match.

There’s no winning or losing — just connecting.
And when it’s right, it flows naturally.

Ever since I started seeing sales this way, everything shifted.
I stay calm during sales related activities. Everything feels lighter.
And I actually started to enjoy selling. It’s where I tell the world how much I love what I do.

The Pressure Starts in the Words You Use

The pressure you feel doesn’t come from sales itself. It comes from how you think and talk about it.

Words like first, win, close, convert all carry weight.
They tell your body this is a big, risky moment. Something to brace for.

Try it for yourself:
Say out loud, “I need to win my first client.”
Then notice what happens in your body.

Most people feel a tightness in their chest or stomach. Like the energy contracts.

Now say, “I’m connecting with my next client.”

Feels different, right?
Lighter. Calmer. More open.

That’s your nervous system reacting to language.
It’s showing you what feels safe — and what doesn’t.

Reframing Creates Safety and Ease

When you change the words, you change the energy.
Language isn’t just words you use. All words are signals to your nervous system.

So instead of using pressure words, try using connection words:

• First → Next

• Win → Meet

• Close → Welcome

• Pitch → Invite

Small swaps, big difference.

Because when you talk about sales in a way that feels safe, you show up that way too.
You’re more relaxed. Even playful 🙂
And your potential clients feel that through the screen.

Playfulness Builds Confidence (and Connection)

Sales doesn’t have to be serious.
You’re not on trial. You’re just connecting.
Nothing to prove. Just a chance to share what you do and see if it’s a match.

If it is: amazing.
If not: totally fine, too.

Especially when you’re starting out, remember that sales is a skill. And like any skill, you get better with practice.

Think of it like learning to ride a bike.
You didn’t race around the neighborhood on day one.
It took a few wobbly rides (and maybe a set of training wheels).

The more you talk about what you do, the easier it gets.
So treat every conversation as practice. Play!
You could ask yourself: How much fun can I have during this conversation?

And if you want a little pre-call warm-up?
Do something that makes you feel good.
Shake out your shoulders. Play your favorite song.
Dance around the room if you like.

Then ask yourself one simple question:

“Am I showing up curious or trying to get it right?”

Because people can feel it when you’re relaxed and having fun.
That’s what they respond to.

When you show up playful instead of perfect, connection happens naturally. And that connection is what turns conversations into clients.

Here’s to making sales feel a little less serious. And so much more fun!
Because that’s what people fall in love with anyway.

If you’d like to uncover your natural way of selling, take my super fun free 2-min Sales Superpower Quiz here and find out.