So you are probably reading this with eager enthusiasm as to get your consulting business off the ground, rocking and rolling, and making a profit. Guess what. It's never that easy to start ANY business. There are certain things to keep in mind way before you even start your career as a consultant. It is important to identify the following areas of concern: your niche in a specific industry, special permits and/or certifications you will need, networking and establishing connections, organization and administration, and goal-setting.
Don't just answer the questions with the best possible answer, like "Of course I have skills and everyone wants them." Take the vantage point of a third-party. Imagine how a close friend would answer these questions about you. Get as close to an unbiased standpoint as possible and it will make life a lot easier down the road. If the answers to some of the questions have a negative connotation, you still have time to gain the skills before you jump into starting a consulting business.
When starting a consulting business, just like any other business, it is important to identify your niche. For instance, someone who has never worked in the restaurant industry should probably stay away from restaurant consulting. Consultants are required to have vast knowledge and experience. So, find your own individual niche. There are plenty to choose from.
Also, do your research on the local, state, and federal level to identify any specialized certifications or permits you will need to conduct business. Sometimes, a business is not even required to carry a general business license. Other times, industries may have more of a grueling licensing process.
Networking is a necessitynot a luxury. You will be the new guy on the block. Consulting will be your way of life. You should make it that way. No one is going to sell your services for you, unless you hire them to do so, except for you and your referrals. Customer service and referrals aside, you are the driving force for gaining clients and/or customers. You have to be willing to put yourself out there and make the connections.
Even further, you should be aware that running a consulting business requires extreme organization. You don't want to get your clients' needs mixed up with one another. Nor do you want to show up unannounced by confusing meeting times with another client. Your system of organization should be streamlined between your desktop, smartphone, and planner. I recommend a Franklin Covey.
Lastly, identifying your goals and being able to see them through to fruition is a trait that most people lack. Being able to put a bucket-list together is fairly easy, but being able to really identify where you want your business to be five years from now is not. All goals should be SMART, meaning, they should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. Just saying that you would like to do more consulting down the road is not good enough. You need to visualize where you want your consulting business to be from a 30k foot vantage point. Then, work your way backwards. Figure out what it is going to take to get there and be prepared to do the work.
Getting a consulting business up and running can sure be a chore. Understanding your niche and how to get customers is essential. If you are willing to see it through, you just may have a successful consulting business on your hands in your future.
Don't just answer the questions with the best possible answer, like "Of course I have skills and everyone wants them." Take the vantage point of a third-party. Imagine how a close friend would answer these questions about you. Get as close to an unbiased standpoint as possible and it will make life a lot easier down the road. If the answers to some of the questions have a negative connotation, you still have time to gain the skills before you jump into starting a consulting business.
When starting a consulting business, just like any other business, it is important to identify your niche. For instance, someone who has never worked in the restaurant industry should probably stay away from restaurant consulting. Consultants are required to have vast knowledge and experience. So, find your own individual niche. There are plenty to choose from.
Also, do your research on the local, state, and federal level to identify any specialized certifications or permits you will need to conduct business. Sometimes, a business is not even required to carry a general business license. Other times, industries may have more of a grueling licensing process.
Networking is a necessitynot a luxury. You will be the new guy on the block. Consulting will be your way of life. You should make it that way. No one is going to sell your services for you, unless you hire them to do so, except for you and your referrals. Customer service and referrals aside, you are the driving force for gaining clients and/or customers. You have to be willing to put yourself out there and make the connections.
Even further, you should be aware that running a consulting business requires extreme organization. You don't want to get your clients' needs mixed up with one another. Nor do you want to show up unannounced by confusing meeting times with another client. Your system of organization should be streamlined between your desktop, smartphone, and planner. I recommend a Franklin Covey.
Lastly, identifying your goals and being able to see them through to fruition is a trait that most people lack. Being able to put a bucket-list together is fairly easy, but being able to really identify where you want your business to be five years from now is not. All goals should be SMART, meaning, they should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. Just saying that you would like to do more consulting down the road is not good enough. You need to visualize where you want your consulting business to be from a 30k foot vantage point. Then, work your way backwards. Figure out what it is going to take to get there and be prepared to do the work.
Getting a consulting business up and running can sure be a chore. Understanding your niche and how to get customers is essential. If you are willing to see it through, you just may have a successful consulting business on your hands in your future.
About the Author:
Get more information on starting a successful consulting business from Vantage Point Consulting Inc Columbus. The company, Vantage Point Consulting Inc, focuses on marketing and sales, but offers start-up advice to entrepreneurs in many different industries.
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