Knowledge is power and as such, it is a commodity that is always in short supply and high demand. This means that if you possess useful knowledge in a certain area, you could, potentially, turn this fortuitous set of events into a lucrative opportunity for your business.No matter how simple this may sound, you can’t just go out there, share some advice and expect that people are going to pay you for this altruistic service. Your ability to do so, however, depends on your ability to start and run a successful consulting agency. Here are several things that you need to learn about this.
1. Make a blog
The first question that everyone will ask about anyone running a consultancy is – is this person really qualified in this line of work? You see, when it comes to giving real actionable advice, credentials don’t really matter that much. This is why you need an opportunity, a platform, where you can demonstrate your skill and in-depth knowledge of the field in question. The best way to do so is to make a blog that you can work through. Also, keep in mind that while offering free advice may seem like something counter-productive, there’s really no other way to prove to people that you’re the real deal.
2. Invest in your online presence
Regardless of your industry, in 2019, chances are that your customers will reach out to you in a digital environment. This is why your website needs to be absolutely flawless and as responsive as possible. Keep in mind that regardless of what kind of digital marketing you decide to use on a later date, it all leads back to your website. This is why it’s usually cost-effective to hire a professional to do it, even though it may be a bit expensive.
3. Getting to know your clients
The biggest problem with client interaction lies in the fact that not all of them are as good in expressing what is it that they really want from you. Sometimes you need to figure this out on your own and the best way to do so is to make a survey on this topic. Instead of standard demographic parameters, you need to inquire about the specific issues that bother them. What is it that they lack? What they’re losing the most money on? What keeps them up at night? What are their biggest aspirations in the business world? By learning this, you’ll be able to develop a perfect approach.
4. Get accredited
In the first section, we’ve already mentioned that certificates aren’t enough for you to convert people, nonetheless, they’re a bare minimum. Unless you can get yourself accredited as a consultant and advisor, you won’t be able to legally work within the niche. When you look at this from the perspective of your clients, you need to ask yourself – why would they work with someone without a certification, when there are so many people out there who are legit? Fortunately, this shouldn’t be a major issue, seeing as how starting a consultancy business is a simple process, that doesn’t require too much investment of time, effort or resources.
5. Be careful with the price
Keep in mind that being a consultant isn’t like providing any other service when it comes to the price. Think about it, do people really want someone who is the cheapest in the industry to consult them? Would they want to put their life in the hands of the cheapest surgeon in the hospital? Of course not! By lowering the price, you’re undermining your own authority and creating a worse image of yourself in the eyes of your audience. Therefore, try to stay as competitive as possible.
6. Smarter advertising
Having a blog alone will not be enough for your business to get to the top, which is why you need to be a tad smarter when it comes to your advertising. First of all, you need to reach out to your audience with an understanding of a problem that they’re currently facing. The simplest and the most effective way to do so is to ask them the question that they themselves are asking every single day. By doing this, while implying that you have the answer, you’ll already have their full and undivided attention. Now, you have to introduce yourself and insert a call to action. The formula is really that simple.
7. Word of mouth recommendations
Like always, the most powerful form of marketing that you’ll have available is word of mouth recommendations and you need to approach this topic as carefully as possible. The only way for you to earn earnest recommendations is to truly provide extraordinary service. This, however, doesn’t just imply that you provide results but that you’re cooperative and assertive enough, as well. So, put as much emphasis as you can on the customer experience.
In conclusion
As you can see, it all comes down to persuading people that you know what you’re talking about in order for them to give you a shot. Seeing as how knowledge is not a finite resource, even by offering a free example now and then, you won’t exhaust your reserves or put yourself in a disadvantageous situation. The key thing is for you to believe in yourself and know what you are worth. You simply won’t be able to persuade other people if you, yourself, don’t believe in this.
