Start a Consulting Business on a Shoe String and Make Big Bucks

Consulting or freelancing is a rapidly growing field. Outsourcing is becoming more popular all the time for jobs that require specialized expertise. Organizations of all types find it less costly and more efficient to outsource certain tasks than to hire full time people. Most consultants work on an as needed hourly basis, so there are no costs when not needed. The organization may pay a retainer if they expect the consultant to be available whenever needed.
Consultants are experts at recognizing problems and providing solutions to those problems. The need for problem solvers for business problems- among large and small businesses worldwide- has never been greater.

Sell Yourself-

It is not necessary for you to have owned or operated a successful business to become a successful business consultant. You will, however, need the ability to sell yourself, and an up-to-date understanding of the area in which you intend to assist others.

The first step is to make a honest evaluation of your own training and experience. There are consultants for just about everything and everyone has some sort of special talent or expertise.
The important thing is to choose an area in which you've had some experience; an area that you have spent some time learning about; and of course, an area of work that you enjoy.

Start-up Considerations-

Keep your overhead down by starting out with a home office. You can handle your own bookkeeping/filing; you will need a ledger and a file cabinet. You will need a computer and a good printer if you plan to do your own correspondence.

The software you use will depend on the service you provide. Many accountants use QuickBooks, they set the client up on the same software and then can connect to the clients computer over the internet and make entries and/or adjustments remotely. You may find the high end adobe package useful because you can make PDF files and e-mail them. This enables you to work remotely more efficiently.

Save copies of all the sales letters you send out, and of course, all job proposals you submit.

Set up your file system with your final plan in mind, and you'll save a lot of time as well as frustration. Set up a system that works for you so you can find things fast without constant searching.

You'll also need business cards.

Your nearest quick print shop can usually order these and help you in selecting wording and design.

Whether to rent, lease or buy a copy machine is up to you, but virtually no business can get by without file copies. A lot of printers are also copiers and scanners.

Get the Word Out

One you've decided what area of business consulting you want to be in, and have your office or working space set up, the next thing is to let people know you're available for work.

Check with your Chamber of Commerce for a list of trade and specialized business publications in your area. Either pick up a sample copy of the business journal at the local newsstand or write to the publisher and ask for a sample.

Look through those catering to the type of business you want to serve. Check the editorial styles and types of advertising they carry, then select the one that corresponds with your needs.

Basically, unless a publication reaches the people you are trying to sell to; don't advertise in it regardless of the style, quality, or advertising rates.

Your Sales Letter

Your sales letter can be any length needed to tell your story and achieve the objective. To be successful, though, it must embody and follow the "AIDA" form:

Attention

Interest

Desire

Action on the part of the reader.

Another point to remember when writing sales letters:

Always appeal to the needs and wants of the person who's going to be reading the letter. She will start reading to see if your service can benefit her.

She is looking for answers to her most pressing problems. Keep these elements in mind when you write a sales solicitation letter, whether for yourself or for a client.

All that's left is meeting with the prospect, listening to her problems, and hearing what she wants, then write out a proposal to solve her problems and satisfy her wants.

You now have a plan that can lead you to success as a Business Consultant. Remember, though, no amount of research, reading, listening or investment can make you successful until you do something with them.