You want to make your first sale but you’ve been stuck researching for weeks. Three notebooks full of plans, 47 YouTube videos watched, that Instagram business account sitting empty because you’re “not ready yet.” Real talk? I’m gonna show you how to make your first sale in the next 7 days, not by planning more but by doing less, moving faster. This isn’t theory, this is what actually works in Nairobi right now.
Why You’re Still At Zero Sales
Most content tells you planning is good. I’m telling you planning is the enemy when you’re stuck at zero revenue. You think you need perfect branding, professional photos, a whole website, business registration, 1000 followers first, the right packaging before you start selling products.
Real talk? Every successful business I know in Kenya started messy. They made their first online sale with a blurry photo and a WhatsApp message. They figured it out while moving, not while planning. Your planning is protecting you from the fear of looking stupid, of being rejected, of charging money for something imperfect.
I get it. But that fear is costing you actual money.
The person who starts selling today with an imperfect product beats the person who launches perfectly in six months. Because by month six, the first person has made 50 sales, learned what customers actually want, and has cash to reinvest. You’re still planning.
The 7-Day First Sale Blueprint
This is your roadmap to make your first sale before next Monday. No theory. Just action. Each day has ONE job. Do that job, move to the next day.
Day 1-2: Pick ONE Product + Price It To Sell
Stop trying to solve everyone’s problem. What can you sell THIS WEEK that people need? Not want. NEED.
In Kenya right now, people are buying:
- Phone accessories (cases, chargers, earphones, screen protectors)
- Beauty products (skincare, wigs, makeup, natural hair products)
- Kids’ clothes and baby items
- Food items (baked goods, meal prep, snacks)
- Digital services (graphic design, CV writing, social media management, voiceovers)
Your assignment TODAY:
Pick ONE product you can access by Wednesday. Not five products. ONE. You can expand after your first sale. Right now you need proof this works, not a catalog.
Research pricing to sell fast. Check Jumia, scroll Instagram, look at Facebook Marketplace. What’s your product selling for? Write down three prices you see. Your price should be 10-20% lower OR offer something better (faster delivery, personalized service, better quality).
Write down your final price. Put it in your notes app. Screenshot it. Make it real. If you’re selling a service, charge KES 500-1000 for your first clients. If you’re selling a physical product, start with something between KES 500-3000. Keep it accessible.
Don’t overthink sourcing. Call that supplier in town, check that wholesaler your aunt mentioned, use what’s already around you. You need inventory by Day 3, not a perfect supply chain. If you’re doing digital services, you already have everything you need, you just need courage.
Day 3-4: Set Up Where You’ll Start Selling
You don’t need a website to make your first online sale. You need ONE place where someone can give you money. Pick ONE platform, set it up properly, ignore the rest until you’ve made money.
Option 1: Instagram + WhatsApp Business (Easiest for most products)
Create your business Instagram if you haven’t. Takes 10 minutes. Use a clear username, people should know what you sell just from reading it. @NairobiPhonesKE not @BlessingsEnterprise254.
Post 3 photos of your product today. Even if they’re taken on your phone against your bedsheet, just CLEAR photos where people can see what it is. Natural lighting near a window works better than fancy editing. Show the product from different angles. Show it being used if possible. Show size by putting it next to something people recognize.
Write a simple caption for each post:
- Product name
- Price in KES (always include currency)
- What problem it solves or what it does
- “DM to order” or “WhatsApp [your number]”
Put your WhatsApp number in your bio. Make it easy. Add a call-to-action button if Instagram lets you. “Message us” or “Contact.”
That’s it. You’re open for business. You’re ready to start selling.
Option 2: WhatsApp Status (Best if you have zero followers)
You already have 200+ contacts. Use them. Your family, your former classmates, your church members, your neighbors, they’re all potential customers or they know potential customers.
Post your product on WhatsApp status with:
- Clear photo
- Product name + what it does
- Price in KES
- “DM to order”
Update your status twice daily. Morning (8-9am when people check phones) and evening (6-8pm when people are commuting home). Different photos, different angles, same message.
Add a simple text: “Hey family, I’m now selling for KES [price]. Quality guaranteed. DM if interested or tag someone who needs this.”
Option 3: Facebook Marketplace (Free traffic, immediate buyers)
List your product on Facebook Marketplace. It’s free. The traffic is already there. People in Nairobi are actively searching for things to buy RIGHT NOW.
Take 5 clear photos, write a description (what it is, condition, why someone should buy it), set your price, add your location (be specific – “Westlands” not “Nairobi”), include your phone number.
Join 3-5 Nairobi buy/sell/trade groups. Read their rules first (some don’t allow business posts, some have specific days). Post your product following their format. Most groups allow one post per product per week. Use that post well.
M-Pesa Payment Setup
Before you can make your first sale, people need a way to pay you. M-Pesa is king in Kenya. Make sure:
- Your M-Pesa is active and you know your number
- If you have a Till number or Paybill, write it down clearly
- If not, people can send directly to your number (works fine for starting out)
- Test it by sending yourself KES 10, confirm it arrives
- Know how to check your M-Pesa statement (you’ll need this for tracking)
Write your payment instructions clearly. Save them in your notes so you can copy-paste: “Payment via M-Pesa: Send KES [amount] to [your number/till]. Send screenshot to confirm. I’ll deliver within [timeframe].”
Pick ONE platform from these three. Set it up by end of Day 4. Don’t try to be everywhere. Master one place first, then expand after your first sale proves this works.
Day 5-6: Get Your First 10 Potential Buyers To See It
This is where most people freeze. “I don’t want to be annoying.” “What if people think I’m desperate.” “I’ll wait for organic reach.”
Listen, you think Safaricom worries about being annoying? You think Jumia apologizes for showing up in your feed? No. They understand that marketing is not optional, it’s how you make sales. Your ego is not more important than your first sale.
Personal DMs (Message 10 people minimum)
Make a list right now. Write down 10-15 names of people who might need your product or know someone who does. Friends, family, former colleagues, that girl from campus, your cousin’s friend, whoever.
Message them. Real message. Not “hey check out my business.” More like:
“Hey [name]! Quick question – do you know anyone looking for ? I just started stocking them at KES [price], thought of you / thought you might know someone who needs this.”
This works because:
- You’re not directly selling to them (less pressure, less awkward)
- You’re asking them to help spread the word (people like being helpful)
- You’re treating them like a human, not a transaction
- Even if they say no, you planted a seed
Some will ignore you. That’s fine. Some will say “not right now but good luck.” That’s fine too. ONE person will say “actually yeah I need that” or “my sister was just asking about this.” That ONE person is your first sale.
WhatsApp Status Strategy (Post Daily)
Day 5: Post your product with the price. Simple caption: “Now selling for KES [price]. DM to order.”
Day 6 morning: Post a different angle of the product. Caption: “Still available. [Product] KES [price]. Fast delivery in Nairobi. DM now.”
Day 6 evening: Post it being used or packaged. Caption: “Limited stock. [Product] at KES [price]. Message to secure yours.”
Don’t worry about looking desperate. Coca-Cola posts daily. Safaricom posts daily. Jumia posts multiple times daily. Your product deserves visibility. The algorithm rewards consistency, not shame.
Tag Real People In Comments (Strategic, not spam)
When you post on Instagram or Facebook, tag people you actually know who might need this. But be SPECIFIC in your caption:
“@Jane thought you were looking for something like this last month?” “@Peter didn’t you mention needing this for your sister?”
Real connections. Real reasons. Not random tags hoping for attention. That’s spam and people block for that. Be intentional about who you tag and why.
Local Facebook Groups (Post once per group)
You already joined 3-5 groups on Day 4. Now post. Follow each group’s rules religiously. Some want posts in comments, some want standalone posts, some have specific formats or days.
Your post template:
- Clear photo first (Facebook shows images prominently)
- Product name + brief description (2-3 sentences max)
- Price in KES clearly stated
- Your contact (WhatsApp number or “DM for details”)
- Location for pickup/delivery
- End with “Serious buyers only, available now”
Post once per group. Don’t spam. One good post beats five desperate ones.
Instagram Stories If You Have Followers
If you have 50+ followers on Instagram, use Stories. Post your product, use location stickers (Nairobi, Westlands, wherever you are), use relevant hashtags in the story (#NairobiSellers #KenyanBusiness #NairobiBusiness), add a poll or question sticker to boost engagement.
“Would you buy this? Yes or No” – simple engagement gets your story seen by more people.
Your goal isn’t going viral. Your goal is 10 real eyeballs on your product from people who might actually buy. That’s it. Ten people. If you do everything above, you’ll get way more than ten. But even just ten views from the RIGHT people can give you your first sale.
Day 7: Close Your First Sale
Someone’s gonna DM you. Maybe today, maybe yesterday, maybe in the next hour. When they do, here’s exactly how you close that first sale without fumbling it.
Respond FAST (Within 5-10 minutes if possible)
People lose interest quick. They’re messaging three other sellers at the same time. Whoever responds first usually wins. Set notifications on for DMs. Check your phone regularly. Speed matters when you’re starting out and building trust.
Confirm Details Clearly
When they message, don’t just say “yes available.” Be specific:
“Yes it’s available! It’s KES [exact price]. What color/size/option do you want?”
Give them options if you have them. Make them make a decision. “We have blue and black, which one?” Decision = closer to sale.
Make Delivery/Pickup Easy
“I can deliver to you in [their area] for KES [delivery fee] or you can pick up at [your location/landmark]. Which works better for you?”
Give two options, not twenty. Don’t overwhelm them. If they’re in Nairobi and you can deliver same day, say that. Speed is a competitive advantage.
For pickups, suggest a public place (mall, petrol station, known landmark). Safe for both of you. “I can meet you at Junction Mall parking around 3pm, that work?”
Ask For Payment First (Don’t Be Shy About This)
Here’s where people fumble. They’re afraid to ask for money first because they think it seems rude or suspicious. Wrong mindset.
You say: “Great! Please send payment to [M-Pesa number/till]. It’s KES [total amount including delivery if applicable]. Once you send, screenshot and send it to me here, then I’ll [deliver/prepare it for pickup] today.”
Payment before delivery is standard. Professionals do this. Jumia does this. Everyone does this. If someone refuses to pay first, they’re not serious or they’re trying to scam you. Move on.
Most real buyers expect to pay first. Don’t negotiate on this. “I operate on payment first basis to protect both of us.” Stand firm.
Deliver What You Promised (Your Reputation Starts Here)
When you said today, deliver today. When you said it’s quality, make it quality. When you said blue, don’t show up with navy and hope they don’t notice.
Your first customer is your marketing for the next ten sales. They’ll screenshot your chat and recommend you to friends if you’re solid. They’ll ghost you and warn people away if you’re sloppy.
Pack it properly even if you don’t have fancy packaging. Clean, neat, protected. Hand it to them with a smile. “Thank you for trusting me, let me know how it works for you.”
If you’re delivering, confirm when you’re on the way. “I’m 10 minutes away.” Update them. Be professional even when you’re starting small.
After The Sale (Critical Step Most People Skip)
When that M-Pesa notification hits your phone? Screenshot it. Post it on your status (blur out the name and number for privacy).
Caption: “First sale done! Thank you for trusting me. Who’s next? [Product] still available at KES [price]. DM to order.”
That screenshot is proof. Proof you’re real, you’re moving, you’re not just talking. Social proof is powerful. People buy from people who others have bought from.
Message your first customer after a day or two: “Hey, hope you’re enjoying the ! If you’re happy with it, feel free to refer friends. I appreciate your support.”
Ask for a review or testimonial if they’re happy. Screenshot good feedback. Post it. “This is what [Name] said after buying. Thank you! Still selling , DM to order.”
One sale leads to the next if you handle it right.
“But What If…” – Obstacles You’ll Face
Let me address the excuses I know are already forming in your head. I’ve heard them all. Some are valid concerns, most are fear disguised as logic.
“I don’t have money for inventory to start selling products”
Start with digital services then. CV writing (KES 500-1000), graphic design (KES 1000-3000), social media captions for businesses (KES 2000 for a week’s worth), voiceover work (KES 500 per minute), content writing (KES 1000 per article). Zero inventory needed. Your laptop and your skills are your stock.
Sell the service, deliver via email or WhatsApp. Use that first payment to fund physical inventory if that’s your eventual goal. Or stay digital and scale with no inventory costs ever.
Another option: Take orders first, buy stock after. It’s called pre-selling. “I’m restocking this week, send payment now to secure yours at KES [price], gets delivered Friday.” Use their money to buy inventory. Risky if you’re not disciplined with cash, but it works if you’re honest about timing.
“I’m scared to DM people and start selling to them”
Your fear of being annoying is bigger than reality. Here’s what actually happens when you message 10 people:
- 3-4 will ignore you (they’re busy, they didn’t see it, whatever)
- 3-4 will say “not right now but good luck” or “not my thing”
- 1-2 will say “let me think about it”
- 1 will say “actually yeah, I need that” or “how much again?”
That ONE yes is your first sale. The others don’t matter. They don’t think about you as much as you think they do. They moved on with their day. You should too.
Also, you’re not begging. You’re offering a solution to a problem. You have something they need, you’re letting them know it exists. That’s business, not desperation. Reframe it in your mind.
“What if nobody buys and I look like a failure”
Then you try again on Day 8. Adjust your price, change your photos, message different people, try a different product. But you won’t know if nobody’s buying until you actually PUT IT OUT THERE. Your drafts don’t count. Your plans don’t count. Only public action counts.
Most “failures” in selling products online come from never actually trying, not from trying and failing. You haven’t failed until you’ve posted daily for 30 days, messaged 50 people, adjusted your approach multiple times, and STILL got nothing. That almost never happens if you’re selling something people actually need.
And honestly? Even if you make zero sales in seven days (unlikely if you follow this plan), you’ve learned more than six months of planning would teach you. You’ve learned what messaging doesn’t work, what prices are too high, what photos don’t grab attention. That’s data. Use it to make your first sale on week two.
“My product/service isn’t perfect yet”
Perfect is the enemy of profit. Sell version 1.0 of your product or service, improve it with feedback from actual paying customers, not imaginary ones in your head.
You know what’s perfect? Nothing. iPhone 1 wasn’t perfect. Mpesa wasn’t perfect when it launched. Your favorite restaurant wasn’t perfect on day one. They all started, then improved based on what customers said, what worked, what didn’t.
You’re using “not perfect” as permission to stay comfortable. I’m giving you permission to be messy, to start before you’re ready, to learn by doing instead of planning forever.
Your customers will tell you what needs improving. Listen to them, not your fear.
“What if someone complains or leaves a bad review”
Handle it professionally. Apologize if you made a mistake. Offer a refund or replacement if it’s warranted. Learn from it. Move forward.
One bad review when you’re starting out is not the end. How you respond to complaints matters more than the complaint itself. People respect sellers who take accountability and fix issues.
Also, you’ll get complaints eventually no matter how perfect you try to be. Someone will think it’s too expensive, someone will expect faster delivery, someone will just be having a bad day and take it out on you. That’s business. Develop thick skin, stay professional, keep moving.
Most people never complain publicly anyway. They just stop buying. So if someone complains directly to you, that’s actually a gift. They’re giving you a chance to fix it and keep them as a customer.
Your Move – Make Your First Sale This Week
Seven days from now, you’ll either have made your first sale or you’ll have seven more days of planning. Both take the same amount of time. One puts money in your M-Pesa account. One keeps you comfortable and broke.
Here’s what separates people who make money selling products online from people who stay stuck at zero: action. Not perfect action. Not pretty action. Just action. Messy, imperfect, scared action that moves you forward anyway.
Stop reading articles about how to start selling. Stop watching YouTube videos about perfect branding. Stop waiting for confidence to arrive before you move. Confidence comes AFTER the sale, not before.
Pick your product today. Set your price. Post it tomorrow. Message 10 people. Make your first sale by this time next week.
God gave you the idea, the ability, the opportunity. You gotta execute it. Nobody’s coming to do it for you. Nobody’s going to give you permission or validation or a guarantee that it’ll work.
Your future customers are already buying from someone else while you’re still preparing. Someone else is making the money you could be making. Someone else with a worse product, less passion, fewer skills, they’re out there closing sales right now because they moved while you planned.
I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. I’m saying this because I need you to wake up. Your planning phase is over. Today is Day 1.
Make your move. First sale in seven days. I’ll be watching.
What are you selling this week? Drop a comment below and commit publicly. Accountability creates action. Let’s see who makes their first sale by next Monday. Its time to make your first sale even when no one knows you.