The Keys to Becoming a Great Consultant: A Practical Guide

Consulting can be a lucrative way to make a living. You set your own hours and work on projects that interest you. But becoming a great consultant requires more than just learning how to do the job. It requires great people skills and the ability to work well with others. And, of course, it requires a hefty investment of time and energy. If you’re ready to put in the work, here are some things you can do to become a great consultant.

1. Set up Google Alerts for your client and its competitors.

Do you know who your client’s competitors are? If you’re like most consultants, the answer is no — and that’s a huge mistake. If you know who your client’s competitors are, it gives you a much better perspective on your value proposition and shows you where you need to improve.

If you set up Google Alerts for your client and its competitors, you’ll be the first to know when they release new content or make major press announcements. If you keep up with digital trends, you’ll be the first to see and respond to trends that might impact your business.This will help you stay current on client and industry developments, which will come in handy through the project. Go here to get started.

2. Network like crazy

Network marketing, like consulting, is a profession that requires more than just a strong work ethic. It also requires a network of people who can vouch for you and refer business your way.

As a consultant, you’ll find that the more you network the better your opportunities will be. You never know who you might meet or what connections you might make. So, if you’re sitting at a networking event and an opportunity presents itself, take it.

Networking can be nerve-wracking. You have to make time for it, but you also have to make sure that you don’t spend too much time worrying about making a bad impression.

Here are a few tips that can help you make networking productive and enjoyable.

Begin conversations with questions. There’s a lot you can learn from other people by asking questions and getting insights into their businesses.
Be genuine. The way customers see you and the emotions, associations, and facts they relate to you are what makes you stand out from your competition. Making sure you keep up a positive business reputation is, therefore, obligatory.
Be patient. Networking is a process, not a single event. If you’re expecting a quick payoff, you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re patient and give it time, the network will come to you.

3. Be transparent about your time

If you’re going to take on clients as a consultant, they need to trust you. And to build that trust, you need to be as transparent as possible about your time.

Clients expect to pay you for your time. So, when you’re accepting new clients, be upfront about how much time you’ll need to devote to their project. If you promise to deliver results in three months and then deliver them in two, you’re going to lose trust.

4. Stay flexible and learn new skills

If you’re looking for ways to become a great consultant, you should consider staying flexible. You never know when you’re going to need to pick up new skills.

For example, let’s say your company decides to start offering financial planning services. You’re currently working on a project that requires some financial planning expertise, so it’s a good opportunity to learn.

Now, let’s say you decide to specialize in marketing consulting instead. You’ll want to stay flexible enough to take on projects that interest you and allow you to make money.

5. Partner with other consultants or firms

Partnering with other consultants or firms is a great way to take your income to the next level. The more partners you have, the more volume you’ll be able to handle and the more money you’ll be able to make.

If you have a friend who’s a certified public accountant, you could team up to offer combined accounting and auditing services to local businesses. At Continuum Innovations they strive to deliver state-of the art services helping businesses automate and streamline their processes in a cross-functional environment. This means that you can execute your strategy or take on a project that you can’t handle on your own.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an easy way to make money, this may not be the career for you. But if you’re ready to put in the work to build a successful consulting business, the advice listed here will get you on the right track. Becoming a great consultant takes hard work and dedication, but the effort is definitely worth it.