If you have extensive experience in an industry, you can become a business consultant. Dealing with multiple businesses can prevent burnout, which is all too common in today’s fast-paced business world. While you may have the brains and expertise to become a business consultant, getting started can be tough. While you can start with friends and others in your business circle, you will soon need to expand. Below are tips for expanding – and conquering – your business consulting endeavor.
First off, you need a good plan. While it’s a good idea not to treat all businesses like cookie-cutter versions of your business (or your idea of what they need to be), you still need a streamlined plan to present potential clients. Being organized, and having good resources, can take you a great distance in this field. Another thing that is useful: References. Make sure to get clearance to have former clients as references for potential clients.
You also need something to stand by, something to show that you have authority in your field. Be it a book, a local newspaper article, an appearance on a local news broadcast, or industry awards, you need to show that you have some form of clout amongst the industry. It doesn’t have to be an extensive resume, but one or two reputable instances can help.
You also need to obtain a business consulting merchant account, like one offered by eMerchantBroker.com. A business consulting merchant account allows you to process multiple types of payments, but not every merchant account is created equal. You need to make sure that chargeback protection is an added option, as business consulting merchants have an increased risk of being hit with a chargeback. You also need to make sure that your merchant account can accept multiple payment forms. These days, customers pay with everything from cash and check to ACH debit, iCheck mobile payments, and Bitcoin, among other payment types. If you are not able to accept certain types of payments, your business will suffer. Your business depends on the ability to accept payments, and you need to make sure that you are able to accept a wide variety of payment sources.