I’ve been consulting in the marketing field for over a decade, but it wasn’t until I started taking risks and acting like an entrepreneur that I really became successful. I was making $50k/year at my job, which is nothing to sneeze at… but I wanted more.
Here’s how you can use simple strategies from the world of startups to build your own consulting business:
Takeaways |
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Strategies to increase income from $50k to $250k in consulting |
Incorporating marketing research techniques for growth |
Leveraging consulting skills for higher earning potential |
Understanding the connection between consulting and research |
Implementing effective marketing strategies for consultancy |
Tips to scale your consulting business and income |
Importance of continuous learning and skill development |
Balancing research insights with practical consulting projects |
Identifying lucrative consulting niches and target audiences |
Navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in consulting |
Make Sure Your Rates Are In Line With The Market
You need to be able to justify your rates. Be able to explain how you are different from other consultants and why you should be paid more than them. And don’t be afraid of asking for a higher rate if what you do is truly worth it!
Know what your competitors are charging, especially those who work in similar industries or markets as yours. If they charge less, then there’s probably an opportunity for you there but only if it’s okay with your clients (more on this later).
Likewise, when someone says they would like “market rates” as their price point, ask them where they got that number from so that you can give them some ideas on costs based on what other companies charge for similar services or products.
If you’re looking to transform your marketing skills into a substantial income, I’ve got just the inspiration for you. Learn from my journey of taking my marketing skills from $15/hr to a whopping $15k per month. Discover the strategies that helped me achieve this milestone in How I Took My Marketing Skills from $15/hr to $15k/mo.
Create An Online Workshop
Once you’ve got one or two clients in the bag, it’s time to start looking at how to scale your business. One of the best ways to do this is by offering an online workshop or webinar on a topic that people are interested in learning more about.
For example, if you have experience in marketing research and want to teach others how to go from $50k/year as a market researcher to $250k/year as a marketing consultant (or vice versa), then it might be worth creating an online workshop around those topics.
You can use tools like Prezi or Slideshare to create presentations and upload them onto your website so people can access them whenever they want.
You could also take things one step further by creating a PDF resource that people can download for free and use for reference later on;
Just make sure there’s enough information there for them not only now but also later when they need more details on the subject matter than what was covered during your initial webinar!
This could help set yourself apart from other consultants who don’t offer any resources at all since nobody wants their audience members leaving confused about what happened during their presentation.”
Write An Article Every Day
Writing an article every day is one of the most important things you can do to build your business. The problem is that most people don’t have that kind of time or energy, so they try and get by with writing less often.
I used to be this person too. I wrote about marketing research, but I didn’t have any expertise in it (at least not enough to call myself an expert).
And even though I loved writing about marketing research, it was hard for me to break out of my comfort zone and write articles on topics that weren’t related to my niche.
But now that we are doing well with our content strategy, it has become second nature for me to write articles on topics outside of our main focus because we know they will get picked up regardless!
If you want your blog posts or website posts indexed by Google and other search engines more quickly than if you were just posting once a month then building up your site’s authority with quality content is key!
Are you curious about how marketing research can pave the way to financial success? Dive into the insights and tactics that could lead you to making millions through effective marketing research. Uncover the secrets in Marketing Research: How to Make Millions.
Create An ebook
Ebooks are an incredible way to get free traffic, build your brand, and make money. You can also use them to get speaking gigs.
A lot of people think that writing an ebook is hard because it involves creating a whole book from scratch. But you don’t need to write the book for it to be useful! Here are a few ideas:
- Take one of your existing blog posts and turn it into an ebook with more detailed information on whatever topic the post was about (this is how I got started with ebooks).
- Answer common questions you see in your consulting work by turning them into short ebooks on different topics like “how do I find clients?” or “how do I pitch myself as a freelancer?”
- Turn guideposts like this article into eBooks!
Give A Speech
When you give a speech, it’s easy to reach a large audience. You can speak at conferences and seminars, as well as local events like community meetings and school presentations.
If you’re an expert in your field, consider speaking at your local library or church or temple or mosque, or cultural center you’ll have an opportunity to spread knowledge while making new connections with people who might not otherwise have heard of your business.
If you’re looking for more structure than public speaking provides (and if you need a paycheck).
Consider finding opportunities on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr where you can do consulting work remotely either on one-off projects or long-term projects where they hire consultants through these platforms on an ongoing basis.
Get In Front Of Groups That Pay You To Speak
The reason you want to get in front of group events is that it’s a great way to make money and build your credibility.
You must keep your content fresh since people will start to notice if you don’t. It can also be hard on the speaker if they are just repeating themselves over and over again with no new material.
Practice your presentation in front of a mirror or even videotape yourself so you can see how you come across when presenting.
This will allow you to edit out any awkward moments and make sure everything flows smoothly together as well as improve upon your delivery skills and confidence level while speaking publicly.
Ask for feedback from past clients who attended one of your presentations; they may have some suggestions regarding how they would like things presented differently next time around so take note of those ideas!
Also, ask them what other topics would interest them enough that they might consider coming back again next year!
When it comes to conducting impactful market research, having the right tools is crucial. Discover the top-notch tools for data collection and analysis that can empower your research efforts. Learn more about these tools in 10 Top Tools for Data Collection and Analysis.
Join And Contribute To 2-3 Forums
You can also join and contribute to 2-3 forums. This is a very good way to get exposure, build your brand, and learn from other experts in the industry.
The first thing to do is make sure that the forum you are joining is related to your niche. If it’s not, then don’t waste your time there; there are plenty of other forums out there that are better suited for you.
Once you have decided on which forum(s) you want to join and contribute to regularly, follow these steps:
- Make sure your profile page looks as professional as possible so people will take you seriously
- Do some research on each forum before posting anything because different communities have different rules of etiquette
- Don’t spam! Most forums will flag new users who send out many messages without really contributing much back to the community
Find A Mentor Or Coach In Your Field And Industry
A mentor or coach can help you find opportunities, build relationships and learn new skills. The best way to find one is through referrals from others.
Ask your colleagues and friends if they know of anyone who’s done something similar to what you’re looking to do in the past or currently doing now. You may be surprised by how many people will recommend someone else in their network when asked!
It’s also important that whoever you choose as a mentor has experience working with small businesses like yours (or even just one-on-one consulting).
In addition, it’s good if they’ve been successful at what they do so be sure to ask them directly about this before committing yourself!
Once you’ve found someone willing to serve as a mentor, make sure it works out well for both parties involved: don’t waste anyone’s time on something that won’t end up being beneficial for either side (and probably both).
Never Stop Learning
Learning from others is an easy way to grow as a person and improve your career, so make it a priority to surround yourself with people who are better than you.
This can be through formal channels like conferences or workshops, but also through informal channels like Twitter chats or podcasts.
At the same time, I also believe that there’s something incredibly valuable in learning and growing from your own mistakes.
When you make a mistake (and believe me, we all do), take the time to analyze what happened and why it happened so that next time around you can avoid making similar mistakes again.
Finally, don’t forget about other forms of learning! Every experience will teach us something new about ourselves and our industry/field(s).
Use these experiences as opportunities for growth by reflecting on them regularly until they no longer hold any lessons for you anymore and then move on!
If you’re wondering whether marketing research is a necessity for your business endeavors, I’ve got you covered. Get insights into why marketing research is important and gain a better understanding of its significance in Marketing Research: Need It? Here’s 15 What You Need to Know.
If You Want To Be Successful In Consulting, You Need To Be Willing To Act Like A Start-Up Entrepreneur
One of the most important things you need to understand when you are a consultant is that you are an entrepreneur. This means that you will have to be willing to take risks and fail.
You also need to be willing to learn from your mistakes, which can be hard because not everyone likes failure or rejection, but it is essential if you want your business to succeed in the long run.
You also need creativity because sometimes there isn’t a client waiting around for your services right away.
So instead of wasting time trying everything possible with no results (which can happen), think about other ways that might work such as blogging about the subject matter until one day someone comes along who needs your help!
Crafting compelling headlines is an art that can significantly impact your marketing success. Learn the key components of writing engaging titles that captivate your audience and drive results. Find out more in What Makes a Good Title? How to Write Headlines That Engage and Convert.
Conclusion
These tactics work. I’ve used them myself and helped many other consultants scale. If you want to be successful in consulting, you need to be willing to act like a start-up entrepreneur.
You need to be willing to try new things and put yourself out there for people to know who you are.
There is no magic bullet when it comes down to marketing your consulting business, but if you take action on these 10 steps you will be moving in the right direction.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that delve into the world of consulting, marketing, and starting a consulting business:
Consultant Salary Guide: Gain insights into the potential earnings and compensation structures for consultants across various industries.Short Description: Discover salary trends and expectations for consultants in different sectors.
Crafting a Successful Marketing Plan for Consultants: Learn how consultants can create an effective marketing plan to enhance their visibility and attract clients.Short Description: Find strategies to develop a tailored marketing plan that aligns with consulting services.
How to Start a Consulting Business: Explore step-by-step guidance on launching a successful consulting business, from setting up to attracting clients.Short Description: Get practical advice on the essentials of launching your own consulting venture.
FAQs
What factors influence consultant salaries?
Consultant salaries can vary widely based on factors such as industry, location, experience level, and the consulting firm’s reputation. These elements collectively impact the earning potential of a consultant.
How can marketing strategies benefit consultants?
Effective marketing strategies can help consultants showcase their expertise, build a strong personal brand, and attract a steady stream of clients. By utilizing targeted marketing tactics, consultants can enhance their credibility and grow their business.
What are the key steps to start a consulting business?
Starting a consulting business involves several crucial steps, including defining your niche, conducting market research, creating a business plan, establishing legal and financial structures, and developing a client acquisition strategy.
What types of services do consultants typically offer?
Consultants offer a wide range of services depending on their expertise and industry. Common consulting services include strategic planning, process improvement, market analysis, project management, and organizational development.
How can consultants effectively manage client relationships?
Building and maintaining strong client relationships is essential for consultants. This involves clear communication, understanding client needs, delivering results, and providing exceptional value to ensure client satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.