In the first place, be ready for a little bit of unsettled water for a while. With the economy the way it has been going, there is a good chance that your brand of talent might be having some problems. This doesn't mean that it is time to jump ship and try something new; as a matter of fact, all you might need to do is to hold on! When times are tough, it can be hard to do consulting work, but there is a lot to recommend it, as well. You'll find that the market for your services might go up if you can only keep your head above water, and you should always take the time to really consider what your options are and what you need to do to make sure that you are going to be getting the right kind of work from it.
When you are considering work as a consultant, no matter how bad things get, never take on a job that you can't handle. Remember that people are always going to be keeping an eye on your reputation, and having a legitimate grievance out there is something that you should avoid at all costs. While it is true that you will run into people who will expect miracles, and while it is true that you may very well end up with a bad client (the field is, after all, known for them) remember that you should always keep your conscience clear. Never offer to do something that you can't handle, and when you are looking to make sure that you keep the customers that you have, always keep in mind that your limits should be respected!
Take some time and really think about the scope of your business. What can you offer that no one else can? What can you do when you are looking for a way to move forward and to make sure that you are going to be getting the right kind of work through the pipes? You'll find that branding yourself is a great idea because it can make people associate you with a certain type of service and a great way of doing business, but don't be afraid to branch out, either. Take hints from your customers if they ever suggest you branching out into different services; they may very well know something that you don't!
You'll also find that the better contact that you keep with the people who you do business with, the better. Many independent consultants find that they are in a good place when their customers bring in more customers. Once you are someone that they are willing to recommend to their friends, you will find that your business can get a lot more stable. Take some time and really think about what is going on when you look at doing what you can to make contact with them. One thing that many consultants will do is that they will ask for testimonials, this has a number of great effects. In the first place, it will give you credibility when people who are looking to make use of your services are checking your website, and you will also find that it flatters your former customers. It makes them aware that you thought that their business was important to you, and you will also find that there are a number of different thing that you can do when you are looking to make sure that they keep you in mind.
Take some time and think about what you have done to promote yourself as a consultant. Remember that there are a number of different options out there that you are going to get when you are looking to both make a brand of yourself and to make sure that your current customers stay with you. This is something that can make a great deal of difference when you want to really maximize how things work for you and what you can do to better your business, so make sure that you pay attention and that you know where you want to go. Remember that the more you focus on your business and what you yourself can offer, the better off you are going to be.
