Start a Consulting in 2023: How to start a Consulting Business

First things first,

What is consulting?

Consulting is providing expert advice or a service to a person, a group or an organization for a fee.

Types of Consulting

You can consult in any area so far as you have value and knowledge to provide in that field. I have a DEI consulting because I have conducted research and taught courses around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Please find below different types of consulting:

DEI Consulting

Investment Consulting

Design Consulting

Legal Consulting

Human Resources Consulting

IT/Technology Consulting

Accounting Consulting

Auditing Consulting

Marketing Consulting

Social Media Consulting

Fitness/Wellness Consulting

Sales Consulting

Public Relations Consulting

Career Coaching Consulting

Life Coaching Consulting

Evaluation and Research Consulting

Search within you, what do you have experience in, that you can offer for a fee? Do you know about the stock market? Someone needs an advice on how to invest and will pay you for that.

What do you need to start a consulting?

• Education in the field

• Skills in the field

• Knowledge in the field

• Experience in the field

• Laptop/Computer

• Time

• Faith or believe in what you are doing

• Confidence

• Consistency

How do you start one?

You probably have some of these ready but in no particular order, do the following:

• Get a name

• Write your business plan

• Register it or incorporate it

• Get a logo

• Prepare your materials and information you will provide

• Get a website

• Get your socials if needed

• Promote your services

Will this work?

Before I answer this question, let me start with a quote from Erin Hanson.

What if I fall?

Oh, but my darling what if you fly?

~Erin Hanson~

You can never tell whether something will work or not unless you try it. Most of the big organizations out there started small and then grew. Most successful entrepreneurs, grew their side business and left when it was successful enough to sustain them. So, try it because

In the end… We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.

~Lewis Carroll~

Options to promote your consulting

People that I have encouraged to start a consulting always ask, “how do I get clients”? There are several ways to promote yourself and your business. Find ways to find your first and next clients below:

• Word of mouth

• Podcast

• YouTube

• Blogs

• Social media — Some people have promoted their brands and their businesses on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. People will usually follow you if they can get value. So, before you make a post, always ask will someone get value from this?

• Facebook market

• Influencers

• Sponsored ad on social media

Benefits of Starting a Consulting

• Multiple streams of income — if you already have a 9 to 5, then you can have another stream of income.

• You are always learning — Your own consulting gives you the opportunity to learn about new ways to provide the most updated services for your clients. Which is a plus for you because you become a better version of yourself.

• Diversity of industries — You are able to work with different industries.

• Flexibility — You can choose the clients you work with and schedule your own calendar.

• Networking — You meet and network with different people.

Challenges

Getting clients

One of the biggest challenges of starting a consulting is getting your first client or clients. How do you go about that?

1. Tell people around you that you have started a consulting. You never know if they need your services or they know someone who needs it.

2. Talk to people you have worked in the past who may need your services.

3. Brand and promote yourself.

When you get the chance, do a good job and your clients will keep coming, they will tell others about you and leave a good a review.

Pricing: How to price your consulting services

Know your worth and charge accordingly. Ask people already in the field how much they are charging to inform your prices. Or call up a similar consulting and inquire about a service and their rate so you have a fair idea.

Let’s win together!

1. Animwaa (She/her) is a highly rated and engaging facilitator with over 9 years’ experience in facilitation, training and teaching topics around race, racism, anti-racism, cultural sensitivity, exclusion and inclusion. She is the senior strategist and facilitator at Animwaa Consulting. She has facilitated several diversity workshops and provided strategies with government agencies, service providers and non-profit institutions. Please connect with Animwaa Consulting at animwaaconsulting@gmail.com.

 First published on https://medium.com/@thisandthatwithdranimwaa

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