Getting Started as an Offline Consultant
Decide what services you'll offer and what you'll charge for each before you begin. When choosing your list of services, select marketing methods your prospective clients need, but won't be able to easily set up for themselves. For instance, setting up a Facebook page may be helpful, but will clients be willing to pay you for the service when they can easily do it themselves with little experience? Instead, offer to create a Facebook page that's customized with the business's logo and colors, and that includes tabs appropriate to their market. The more customized and seemingly complicated your services, the higher rates you can charge.
Set your rates based on the size company you'll target, your experience and level of expertise, and the rates other, similar consultants in your area charge. You don't want to overprice yourself, but you need to make a profit, too, so give careful consideration to what you plan to charge.
You may need a local and/or state business license, so contact the appropriate government agencies to figure out what's required. Many online marketers forgo this step, but if you're working locally, it's imperative that you have the proper documentation.
Even if clients aren't visiting your "office," you need to maintain an aura of professionalism. That means in addition to your computer, printer, scanner and copier, you'll want a fax machine, possibly a second phone line (try Vonage or MagicJack), postage scale or meter, and paper shredder at a minimum.
Also consider getting a toll-free number from someone like Kall8 who offers the service for a couple bucks a month plus minutes used. While you'll initially be marketing locally, you never know when you'll want to expand your business to other geographic areas. Having a toll-free number already printed on your business cards makes you look like you're ready to go.
Next, a well-designed website is a must! Choose a clean design, add professional copy, and include all the information potential clients may ask. In essence, your website must be the perfect example of what you can do for a local business, otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to convince clients to hire you to build a site for them.
You'll also want to already have all the tools you plan to recommend to clients in place. For instance, if Twitter marketing consultation is one of your services, you need to have a solid Twitter account of your own with a good number of followers and a history of good tweets. If you plan to teach others how to use Google AdWords, you'll need to be using AdWords yourself... successfully. If one of your services includes article marketing, you'll need to be able to show your clients articles that you've written that have achieved good exposure online and brought traffic to your website.
Once you have your online presence established, it's time to have business cards professionally designed and printed. Include your email address, URL, phone number, toll-free number and fax so clients can easily contact you via the method they prefer.
You might also create a simple tri-fold brochure that outlines your services. These are great to give to people you meet who want more information than a business card provides, and they can be created in Microsoft Word using a readily available template then printed on quality paper from the office supply store.
As soon as your website is online, your office is set up, and you have marketing materials in hand, it's time to make your first call. Begin by contacting business owners and managers you know personally and outlining your services to them. Ask for referrals from friends and family members. Join a local networking group or the Chamber of Commerce, and begin to get the word out about your business.
It won't be long before you have your first client, and then, if you've done your homework and can provide quality services for the rates you charge, you'll be well on your way to creating a successful business of your own as an offline consultant for local businesses.
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offline consultant
An offline consultant is basically someone who works with local businesses, offline, to teach, guide, counsel and assist them in bringing their businesses online. An offline consultant shares her knowledge of Internet marketing, website design, promotion, search engine optimization (SEO), online advertising strategies and other key concepts with local businesses who needs her help... for a price.
Offline consulting is one of the hottest new markets to open up in Internet marketing in a while. It is an opportunity to make a good bit of money doing something you already know how to do. As an offline consultant, you help businesses establish a presence on the Internet.
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