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If you’ve figured out what skills you have that you can market to potential employers, then you’ve got the first step behind you.  What lies next is the tricky part.  How do you successfully point out possible clients and market yourself as a consultant to those potential employers?

One of our readers asked us to further delve into the the “Side Gig:  Capitalizing on your Skills” article by detailing how to go about finding and pitching yourself to potential employers.  Here are four steps that will help you organize your ideas and present yourself as a legitimate consultant to outside employers.

1. Advertise Yourself

If there’s one thing you should take away from this, it’s that Craigslist is your best friend. It is by far the easiest way to promote yourself. I’ve nailed down two word processing clients this way. Put together a concise two paragraph marketing spiel about yourself.  In the first paragraph, give a thorough background of yourself and what you’re looking for – be specific.  I usually mention that I take on freelance word processing jobs for additional income and am looking for two or three new clients.  In the second paragraph, list your credentials for the job, be it a certification, WPM typing speed, a link to a portfolio.  Post under “Services Offered” to avoid paying a posting fee and  choose the sub-category that fits closest to what you are offering.

2. Have a Portfolio and References Ready

If you don’t have any clients, use personal recommendations of people who have good job titles or get a current or previous employer to vouch for you. Put together a portfolio of your work on a free blog – you can use WordPress or Blogspot - where you list qualifications, writing samples, logos, and recommendations from previous clients. As for being prepared for a spur of the moment meeting, LifeHacker had an excellent article about keeping a portfolio handy on specifically an iPhone or possibly another smartphone – as long as it’s readable.

3.  Put together a Business Plan

I don’t mean to prepare a traditional business plan, but a written plan that lists your hourly rates or rates for each service rendered and a detailed list of services provided. Laying out your idea on paper will give you a better idea of your little side business and make you more familiar with what you are offering and your price scale.  By being prepared and familiar with your side business, you will have more confidence when you speak to potential employers, which in turn, will pump up your credibility.

4. Alert Friends, Family, Co-workers and Past Employers to your Consulting Business.

The best way to get clients is through referrals.  They’re stronger and they usually turn out to be repeat clients.  Plus, most people know at least one person that may be interested in the services that you have to offer.  Send out emails or make phone calls to all of your contacts to let them know that you are taking on additional clients and ask if they know someone who they could refer to you.  Your odds of finding two clients through a personal network of 20 people are pretty decent.

Getting your first client is the hardest part, but once that is settled more companies usually roll in by means of existing client recommendations.

So, LifeStylers, do you have any additional tips on how to present yourself to potential clients?  Tips on elevator pitches?  Let us know in the Comments section!

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