For new online retailers, making that first sale is the stuff of dreams. Sure, it’s just one sale, but it’s representative of so much more. It is a portent of good things to come and an assurance that your newly-launched business was a good idea after all.

If you haven’t made that first sale, don’t get anxious; sometimes the first sale can be the hardest one. Buyers may see your lack of selling history and be hesitant and that’s okay. You don’t have to sit idly by waiting, however. Here are a few steps you can take to hasten sales for your young business.

Attend an Amazon marketplace event

E-commerce expos provide invaluable opportunities to network. Attending internet marketing seminars will accelerate your learning curve and help you scale your business by meeting service providers and learning from experts in the industry.

Try Google Adwords

A little pay-per-click advertising is a great way to get the ball rolling quickly with your new company, and one of the best ways to do this is through Google AdWords. Adwords allows retailers to place advertisements on virtually every Google search results page. AdWords stands out from other advertising platforms because you can set it up in an instant and reach countless people. You can organize your campaign so that it is triggered by specific keyword searches.

Put on your writer’s cap

If you don’t have a blog for your business, it’s time to start writing. Blogs unlock the power of content marketing. They establish your company as an authority in the industry, keep your customers engaged, provide content that can be shared on social media, and help your search engine rankings. Nothing to blog about? Start by making a list of all the things that customers might want to know about your product or service. Then use those questions as starting points for each of your blogs. To make your life easier, make a content calendar of blog topics to get you through the next year. Assign one topic per week and write in advance.

Set up a newsworthy event

Give people a reason to notice your business. If you have a hair salon, provide a free care day for residents of women’s shelters. If you sell meat products, host a hot dog eating contest. Make sure to send out press releases in advance to bring in the media. You should also get the word out on social media. Your event can draw positive attention to your company that could lead to sales down the line. Don’t forget to write an optimized press release to share the news.

Give out freebies

Everybody loves free stuff. Capitalize on this fundamental facet of human nature by sending free samples of your products to people who wield influence in your industry or a related one. This could include journalists, bloggers, or fellow entrepreneurs. Free samples can help you network and perhaps even get you mentioned on influencers’ websites. When you get a nod from a respected expert, it imbues your company with added authority and credibility.

Products rarely sell themselves. Be proactive in taking steps to jumpstart your profits. Once you make that first big sale, don’t rest on your laurels. Stay active and innovative to promote your products and outshine the competition.