creative ways to get your first clients!

here's the story i've recently come across:

"what worked good for me in the beginning of my copywriting career was a direct mail campaign. i was sending out little plants (bryophyllum) in mini bottles with a handwritten message.

my message was like: “mr. prospect, i’m as little as this plant, but with a good environment and feedback i can grow as quick as this bryophyllum. and even if you decide not to give me a try, you can keep this tiny green one. i promise: you’ll never get rid of it”.

and it worked like crazy. almost every receiver asked me to come and introduce myself. and so i managed to get my first assignments as a newbie."

the end.

and what about you?
what creative ways you used to get your first clients?