Feeling stuck?

“What should I do if I’m having trouble getting my first clients?”

According to IWAI coaches, students who struggle to get their first clients in AICP usually find they need to work on one or more of the following areas.

We’ve pulled together AICP lessons to help you with each issue:

Also worth watching is this lesson specifically on how to Score Your First Gig.

Note: you may have already done these lessons, but we find that students who struggle down the line benefit from re-visiting them. 

Perhaps you reviewed some of our many lessons in Meet 100 Solid Leads and Make Your First (or Next) 3 Sales before you got started.  But now the useful TEMPLATES, EXAMPLES, and TIPS from those lessons aren’t as top of mind as you actually reach out to prospects.

The above lessons are foundational lessons on this topic that would be worth visiting or revisiting to help you get unstuck.

Also, if you are sending emails you may have strayed away from our templates to add your own voice etc.  When doing so, make sure that you haven’t removed some of the key structure. 

3 common mistakes/changes that students make when they stray away from the templates:

1. They don’t use direct, specific subject lines that includes their company name (and they add puns or clickbait)
   • [Prospect Company] – AI Consulting
   • [Prospect Company] +[Your Company] – AI Consulting
   • [Prospect Company] – AI for XYZ Professionals
     
2. They don’t introduce themselves in the first line of the email.
   • When you don’t introduce yourself right off the bat the person reading the email spends the whole time wondering who you are.
     • Example: “My name is Rob and I’m an AI consultant that helps Colorado private-practice doctors speed up their report-writing and new-patient intake by incorporating some of the latest AI technology.“
       
3. They don’t use their exclusivity statement and try to help everyone.

No matter what stage you’re at, we always recommend referring back to your persona path. Make sure to please take the persona quiz if you have not already!

Additional Support & Resources

Get accountability! 

• Go to the #goals-and-accountability channel in slack
• Use the posting template to kick off your accountability
• Diana will check in with you (either monthly or bi-weekly) to help you stay consistent and get unstuck.

The Year Ahead: Goal-Setting, Getting “Unstuck” and Trends for 2026

• Use the Flare & Focus strategy
• Build Positive Patterns
• Start Tiny Habits Now
• Lean on Persona Paths
• Use Slack as a Second Brain

Want to focus on taking action?

Check out this action focused AICP checklist created by fellow student Sofia Palacios

Innovating with AI’s Consultant Directory: What It Is and How to Apply

If you’re looking for a shorter term goal to work towards and motivate you, look no further than getting listed in the IWAI directory.

Make a copy of the Directory Trello Board to track your progress as you work towards submitting your application.

Still feeling stuck? 

Reach out to support at [email protected]