Research your target market and network times put together a hit list of clients according to your network equals your net worth is the same you may have heard before. If you're hearing it for the first time, it does make sense, right? networking and making contacts is a top priority for you now that you decide to become a consultant, your contacts have contacts that have contacts that your potential clients so you should look at all people you come into contact with as potential clients. It's a great way to help change your mindset. You will be surprised at how many business deals are done because a friend mentioned that they needed x y&z it just so happened that they have a friend who's just a consultant in that area and boom, a new business partnership has started. A conversation goes a long way.
Obviously not all your friends and family for that matter may have great context. But by now you should understand the premise of and the importance of networking and what it could lead to. When putting together your list of clients you'd like to target. Don't get overwhelmed. Remember that they will be those who have an interest in your service the companies that need people like you. And there are hundreds of thousands of businesses that require various skills.
The challenge is for you to find them and let them know how great you are. To begin, I would suggest using all available resources and your contacts. ethically, of course, you want to leave a good impression and not come off as a new consultant that specializes in stalking. Now do you know you want prospective clients and contacts understand that you are an expert consultants with a whole host of skills and knowledge to share? Yes, this doesn't mean that you may end up cold calling or cold emailing contacts. But you have to be confident you have to confidently sell your skills.
You've decided to become a consultant and the new and existing clients are your bread and butter. I'd also say do not underestimate the power of social media, such as LinkedIn and Twitter. LinkedIn is a great for networking, and is a platform I use myself to build business contacts and new clients. If you don't have a LinkedIn page, do set one up. It's you know, social media networking business. Basically, don't underestimate that platform, the LinkedIn platform because there are lots of groups and relevant to all your all fields of work to get involved with, you know, so network and make contacts on there.
Okay. Some may not be looking for your services now, but may come back to you in a future if you leave a good impression. You should also research you know, events that are relevant to you and your industry, because there are some great events and networks, whether it's a business show or something more niche, you know that your potential clients are likely to frequent. do get along okay and make sure you Find out where they are, and go along and make yourself known. Your potential clients are everywhere. So it's about making yourself visible.
Another idea is to network with your current workplace and their stakeholders. For example, like I mentioned earlier, unless you set up eye contact to some relevant stakeholders that I've come into contact with, to inform them that I had gone independent, and outline the service that I had to offer. I usually tend to research contacts that I thought might be might be interested in the work that I was offering in my service, basically. So I also joined you know, the freelance independent networks went along to networking events that were relevant for my industry. I use platforms such as meetup, as well as attending the business show, as I mentioned, and using Twitter as well to network. I've got a friend actually, that regularly picks up clients and uses Instagram to network.
She's picked up clients from there, and she's doing quite well on that. And which is which is why I say Make sure you are embracing and be open to the different platforms but you know, research it makes sure it's relevant for you and for your client base.