Getting started in consulting

Thanks for the detailed advice, John. I guess the thing that's always
concerned me, and I'm sure people experience this whenever they try to
start their own business, is how in the world do you get that first
client when you've had none before them? Because we all know that one
of the first things that first potential client is going to ask is,
"Who have you worked with in the past?" "Well, sir, I'm just getting
started and you're actually the first person I've talked to. If you
give me a chance, I'm sure you'll see that I can be of service to you
and your company..." will work if you're a good salesman, but I
suppose it's just the trepidation of wondering what the reaction is
going to be when you tell them that. Of course, I suppose that I've
got no business going into business for myself if I'm not ready to
deal with rejection. As to calling up places and making contacts,
does that really work? I've always thought, right or wrong, that
consultants were people that businesses went to when something was
broke that they needed help with. I'd never really thought of
cold-calling a business and saying, "Hello, I'm a consultant and I was
wondering if you've got anything around there that needs fixing or
planning." Not literally, of course, but you get my point. All in
all, you've given me a lot to chew on. I appreciate your time.







>All you need to do is raise your right hand and say "I are
>a konsultant", and you are in and in business. There is nothing
>else to it as far as getting started.
<snip>
 >> Stay informed about: Getting started in consulting 

>What type of business is it and where are you located?

I'm in northern Idaho and the field is law enforcement.
 >> Stay informed about: Getting started in consulting 

How about, look for an area in your industry that you feal
really needs someone like you to give them the right
advice, like even smomething in the building, or group you
work in. Go to someone and ask them if you could give them
some tips. You could do it without even charging them,
just som helpfull advice. And then grow on that. ?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets
Wayne RemoveThis @WaynesPets.com


William_T wrote on 2/17/2006 2:10 PM:
> Thanks for the detailed advice, John. I guess the thing that's always
> concerned me, and I'm sure people experience this whenever they try to
> start their own business, is how in the world do you get that first
> client when you've had none before them? Because we all know that one
> of the first things that first potential client is going to ask is,
> "Who have you worked with in the past?" "Well, sir, I'm just getting
> started and you're actually the first person I've talked to. If you
> give me a chance, I'm sure you'll see that I can be of service to you
> and your company..." will work if you're a good salesman, but I
> suppose it's just the trepidation of wondering what the reaction is
> going to be when you tell them that. Of course, I suppose that I've
> got no business going into business for myself if I'm not ready to
> deal with rejection. As to calling up places and making contacts,
> does that really work? I've always thought, right or wrong, that
> consultants were people that businesses went to when something was
> broke that they needed help with. I'd never really thought of
> cold-calling a business and saying, "Hello, I'm a consultant and I was
> wondering if you've got anything around there that needs fixing or
> planning." Not literally, of course, but you get my point. All in
> all, you've given me a lot to chew on. I appreciate your time.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>>All you need to do is raise your right hand and say "I are
>>a konsultant", and you are in and in business. There is nothing
>>else to it as far as getting started.
>
> <snip>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Getting started in consulting 

How about going through the phone book and cold calling likely clients.

Of course write a guide script first - but then be natural and play it by
ear. Be positive and confident.

If thats too hard then go do some gardening

rob

"William_T" wrote in message

>
> I feel pretty foolish even asking this question, but how exactly does
> one get started in consulting? It's a side business I've been
> considering for a few years, but I have no idea how to even start.
> I've been in my field for over15 years, I write articles and columns
> for one of our national trade publications, I have 4 year management
> degree in my field, and I even received a national award as an "up and
> comer" recently. But, just so you don't think I'm tooting my own
> horn, I know this doesn't mean squat when it comes to hanging out your
> consulting "shingle." I'd like to think I'm a good troubleshooter who
> has a good feel for what makes my field tick, but I also know some
> people just aren't cut out to be consultants. I know I could just
> start advertising my consulting services, but that does little good
> with no previous references or without knowing whether I'm even good
> at it. Unfortunately, there's not a ton of people who consult in my
> field, I don't even think there's any in my state, so I don't know how
> I'd go about learning from someone. Even if I could learn from
> someone else in the business, I'd feel pretty weird telling them I
> just wanted to learn so I could start my own business to compete with
> them.
>
> Any advice, books, seminars? I'm all ears.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Getting started in consulting 

One of the things I did when I was looking to start consulting is
contact SCORE, the Service Core of Retired Executives. They offer a
lot of assistance and the majority of it is free. For building a
customer base, that will take time. What you need to look into is who
are going to be your clients? What kind of businesses are you going to
look to consulting to? Once you determine this, do some research
on-line and look for organizations of these businesses and what types
of social gatherings these have. See if you can attend some of these
either as a member or possibly speak on a topic relating to your field.
This helps get your name out there in a social environment and is a
little better targeted than cold calling. One thing that some
consultants do is come across as somewhat egotistical in their field,
but you sound like that won't be an issue with you. So, I would
summarize by saying your best bet is to determine your target
customers, and become social with them, but in an atmosphere of
offering assistance. With the speaking scenario, you could present a
generalized plan to an audience and mingle afterwards and hpefully get
some appointments at least for quotes.

Hope that helps!

James
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