I hope this is the right place to ask. For the past few years I have been working full-time for a rather well-known Internet marketing firm and with my past web development and affiliate marketing experience I'd like to get into private consulting. I have seen so many clients do so many things wrong. I feel like with some suggestions and minor tweaks a lot of web sites can make double the sales. How does one get into such line of work? I have contacts, but it is only through my job and it wouldn't be ethical (or even legal) to use those contacts to offer my private services. Perhaps anyone can recommend a starting point? I have even thought about starting a blog to make a name for myself, but today, the blog thing is so overdone. Thanks!
Do you have a website or blog by chance? This is how I pick up a lot of my new clients, etc. While this is only a small step it is a good place to start.
I have a portfolio of my web site designs, but nothing yet presentable for the purposes of Internet consulting as I mentioned. I was thinking creating a blog and constantly writing to gain traffic may not be worth it, but perhaps it has been a good long term investment for you? I have also been attending various Internet marketing type meetups in the NYC area and meeting people in the industry. That hasn't been easy either, but I did get a few contacts. I think it may be a good idea, as you mentioned to get started with a smarter site that describes me with a few posts and hand out a few business cards? What do you think?
Yes,the specialism you have is on high demand on the market nowadays. I believe you can earn more if you work by your own. You can start by offering your service at DP. But for the first time,you must give out some review copy to build up your reputation. Then you can start expand your biz by building up your portfolio.
I would def. start with the website or blog. As you said, once you build an audience you will find it much easier to sell yourself as a consultant.
That actually made me laugh out loud, like someone who does consulting would actually make a living on DP - I can see the topics now! $10 professional consulting, 5 free review copies! Offering a consult for some noname failure of a blog is REALLY going to attract real clients isn't it?
You need to talk to a lot of people. Network here on forums; network in real life; network at networking events. You need to be prepared to sell yourself. Consider some charity gigs or likewise to get your name to more people don't put these in front of paying work unless you've got a very good reason; if you do agree to do something, though, do a bloody good job at it. It's hard work but sometimes the money makes it worthwhile.
The best way to get clients / or sell clients on your experience is to show previous results. Here's an example I've been doing affiliate marketing for over 10 years. When I talk to a new client and they ask how much experience I have in that department I just take them over to a computer log on a network I work with and show them the total's in dollars. Nothing say's experience like high total amounts for MTD, YTD. Of course your experience level and results you can show vary by your personal experience and personal results. You can't start making $100 an hour overnight but it's something that's attainable overtime with hard work. Just start out on a level your comfortable with and move up the ladder it's just like a real job you can't start out charging high amounts without a personal portfolio that demands that type of income level.
I think it is not ethical to contact the existing clients of the company you currently work for. Create your own list of clientele. As other people here have mentioned, you should create your own site and blog for you to have an online presence. Blogging would just be part of your regular marketing campaign. Building your own line of network is not an easy task, but you can start with people you know. Ask them for people who might be willing to work with you on a discounted fee, just so you could build your portfolio. Also, you can do cold calls. Inform potential clients about your intent of doing consulting work for their firm; however, if you do this, you should have studied and researched about the company so that you could present a solution tailored-fit to their problems and needs.