subject: Spreading The Word About Your Consulting Business [print this page] Spreading The Word About Your Consulting Business
If you are starting a consulting business, you will need clients. What is the best way to market your business to find potential customers?After starting a consulting business, you need to establish a client base. In order to do that effectively, you need to spread the word about your company and the services you offer. Clients cannot find you if they do not know you exist.Market YourselfYou want to market yourself as an expert in your field, and show potential clients what the services you offer can do for them. Clients must feel confident that you can handle the job properly and have the necessary resources to do it.Keep that in mind when designing your marketing materials. Focus on your strengths and services, and exactly how they will benefit your clients. A higher sales success rate is achieved if the client can easily see what they will gain by hiring you.You must get the word out in as many ways as possible. One of the least favorite is calling upon people you think might have need of your services. This may not be your most effective form of salesmanship, but research shows it does produce results.NetworkOne of the most important assets you have is a network of friends and associates. Professional people who know you are an excellent starting point. You will be surprised at the number of people you know personally or by way of networking or email.Networking through local organizations is another good way to make contacts. When you are starting a consulting business, you will find many places you can distribute your business cards as well as participate in events to familiarize others with you and your company.Testimonials and references from existing or previous clients are an excellent way to gain new client interest. As your customer base and work history grows, you also have the ability to use your prior experience in industry specific fields to enhance even further your level of expertise.Public SpeakingAlthough not everyone is great at public speaking, you can make a good impression on many people at one time by speaking at special events and seminars.Research shows that this places you in a position of respect and authority, and that gets people's attention. Attempt to find speaking opportunities you think are most relevant to the services you are selling.Being published is another excellent way to draw attention to your services. You can write regular articles for the web or start your own blog where you have an open forum.When you have established a sufficient quantity of material, advertise by email that you are starting a consulting business and provide the links to encourage others to read your material.
