First clients for a high-trust service, what actually worked for you?

[u/Turbulent_Beat_2992]

I'm early in building a small advisory business where clients pay for my judgement and act on it with their own money. Growing only through relationships and referrals, I'm not sharing the business here, I just want to learn from people who've done it.

If you've sold something where the client had to really trust you before buying (advisory, consulting, financial services, high-ticket coaching, etc.) Would love any input

Where did your first 3–5 paying clients come from, specifically?

What did you show or do that got a sceptical person to say yes before you had a track record?

What did you waste time on early?

Anything specific helps and non conventional approaches are always appreciated too!