10 Ways to Promote Your Consulting Work

Author: Floyd Saunders

 

Social media is fine for promoting your consulting practice, everyone needs an online presence these days, but you will still find some of the more traditional approaches to promoting and marketing your consulting work to be important to growing your business.  Here are 10 ways you can promote yourself and/or your business.  Most of these tips will only cost you some time.

1.  Networking.
Network (without over schmoozing) every chance you get. But remember this really only works if you always make offers to help someone and then follow-up and deliver on what you promise.  Pass out your business card frequently. Start by asking people that you talk with for their business card. You then have an easy way to give them yours. Take notes and send them a short email to thank them for their time. Offer to help them is some way, reference to someone else, or sent them an article you both might like to discuss in any follow-up meeting. If you find a way to help them you have made a connection, and they might return the favor.

2.  Join Professional Groups.
Attend meetings for local professionals groups such as The Chambers of Commerce, services clubs and groups like toastmasters etc. You can introduce your business and join a committee.  Ideally the programs committee so you can make even more connections.

3. Participate in Trade Shows.
Find trade shows that allow you to show your products or services.  This is a great way of getting your name out to industry leaders. Provide take free take aways, including gift items with your name, address, email, URL etc on it. This will allow your business name to go back to the prospects job place and they will remember you the next time you call them.

4.  Get Involved in Social Events.
Social events are a great place to network too. Just don’t overdo it. Just make friends, get to know people and there will be an appropriate time to mention what you do.

5.  Stay in Contact with People You Used to Work With.
Stay in contact with past companies that you worked for as an employee. Make sure to let them know that you are available for projects.

6.  Write a Book
If you know enough about your trade to write a good book about what your do as a consultant.  This book will likely be the best promotional piece for your business.

7.  Printed Newsletters.
Yes, printed newsletters still exist, my insurance agent and broker send me one every month. Printed newsletters can be an effective way to promote your business. When you have a printed newsletter, you are collecting mailing address information about potential customers.

8.  Offer an Online Newsletter.
An emailed newsletter is a free and effective way to promote your business. Also by having an e-newsletter, you also are getting email / contact information about potential customers. Make sure to display a newsletter subscription box on your home page and on the top third of all other pages.

9.  Start and Write an Informative Blog.
A blog is one of the most effective forms of self-promotion. If you write an effective blog, you can get hundreds of readers to your blog within a few weeks (if you write well that is). Be sure and learn about using key words and links to other blogs to build readership.

10.   Market to Past and Present Clients.
As a business owner, your biggest asset is your client list. Your customers are your biggest fans (if you have done a good job). They are the only people (other than family and friends) who believe in you and your work. You can communicate with them without them thinking that you are a telemarketer. Make sure to take notes on personal information such as family member names, how many kids they have, whether they are married or not, etc. Keep this information on an index card or a software package designed to track this and reference it before you speak or meet with them.

Regularly communicate with your customers and make sure to remind them of discounts you offer for referrals. Make sure to ask previous customers for a testimonial and for referrals. Send cards on holidays and birthdays. You should also consider asking existing and previous customers advice on how to improve your quality of service.

If you can do some of each of these 10 promotional ideas every week, over time you will see you business grow.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/10-ways-to-promote-your-consulting-work-6647973.html

About the Author

Floyd Saunders has a diverse background in the financial services industry, including experience in retail banking, investment banking, insurance, investments, financial planning, and tax preparation. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Baker Univeristy teaching courses in Personal Finance. He has also bee an adjunct faculty member for St. Mary’s College, Moraga, California, and Community Colleges in California, teaching courses in managerial finance, money and banking, and principles of banking.  He has also taught extensively for the American Institute of Banking and various banks.  As an educator, Mr. Saunders is the CEO of Saunders Learning Group, providing training and educational materials to the financial services industry and consumers who want to achieve more control over their money.  Mr. Saunders has worked for Bank of America, Chemical Bank, JP Morgan and JPMorgan Chase, and as a consultant in the financial services industry.  He has prior experience as a registered representative and has published several articles on personal financial planning, investing and personal money management.

Mr. Saunders has previously authored four programs for the American Bankers Association, Banking on Mutual Funds and Annuities, Mutual Funds and Annuities, Introduction to Securities Markets and Investing in Securities.  in 2010 he published, Figuring Out Wall Street, Consumer\’s Guide to Financial Markets  now available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and can be ordered from any book store.  More recently he published, Family Financial Freedom, available in print and as an eBook.

Mr. Saunders earned a Master of Arts degree in Management from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University.

Web site: www.floydsaunders.com