No handouts Expected...Well maybe a few Juicy Crumbs

Let me give you the basic steps for free

1. Find something that

• You are Good at
• People will pay you for
• Can be turned into a business not just a job (aka you can hire people to do it)

2. Create a pricing structure for said good or service

3. Sell said good or service based on how you sell best.

• Good in person: Cold Walk
• Good on phone: Cold Call
• Good with marketing: Use targeted marketing online and direct mail to get them to call you

4. Produce what you sell


5. Tweak till it works and then continue to tweak



6. Hire people to produce, sell, and etc

It seems like you already know everything that you need to.

It looks as though it is more fear that is stopping you, rather than a lack of knowledge. Perhaps it's fear of rejection when you're selling, or a fear of embarrassment if it doesn't work out.

Don't wait until you know everything, or until you have the perfect system before you start selling yourself.

You've already worked in the industry, and your previous employer paid you THOUSANDS each year to do what you were doing. So you already know that your knowledge is worth AT LEAST your old wage.

Just start contacting people, and listening to their problems. Then prescribe your solution.

But if you're looking for specific steps, Aaron has already laid them out for you.

But I urge you to get started. I can't say this too many times. Get started before you lose momentum. Don't keep waiting and tweaking before your "big launch", because if you do, it will never come.

Good luck on your new venture.

Hi, DigitalGuy23! I'm sure you probably don't need any people trying to psychoanalyze you but from your post it's a possibility that you think somewhat as I did. If that's the case, hopefully I can offer some "juicy crumbs." Just before I got started Offline, after months *cough*years*cough* of lurking around the warrior forum, buying a bunch of "stuff" and becoming well acquainted with pages 1 through 176 of Google's search results for all the typical offline keywords, I felt I was finally ready to take "the plunge!" But before I felt comfortable enough to put myself vulnerably out there, what I desperately needed was someone to help me organize all the information I had compiled in the Offline section of my "memory warehouse."

I had all/most of the personal qualities and information necessary but I felt like I needed that outline in order to be confident in the fact that I was starting off with my best possible foot forward and, most of all, taking my first steps in the right direction. Especially since (in my opinion, at least) my first impressions, reputation, business, my future client's businesses, livelihood, and seemingly SURVIVAL was all at stake and would be greatly impacted by the steps, preparation, and direction I took before even contacting my first prospect.

So, unfortunately I don't know of any courses that has an outline to serve that purpose offhand. However, I can share with you some things that helped me straighten out the clutter.

Step 1: Mentality (of course!)

A.) First of all: Know thyself.
Are you a business person at heart? How do you compare to the typical entrepreneur? Many similarities? Do you have incredible value to offer? If not, could you? Could you eliminate your fears enough to really offer someone the incredible value you have. What are your fears? Your weaknesses? Where are the holes that could cause your ship to sink? Do you really have an employee mindset or not? If so, what would it take to flip the switch over to business owner thinking?

I've learned that in business it pays to be introspective. Study yourself like you study your clients, market, and industry, if not more. That way, you can thwart any self sabotage and see where you need improvement before it takes you down. Being fully honest and realistic with yourself will help tremendously, save you a lot of headache, and may make the difference between success and failure.

B.) Positive Thinking typically is a good thing. Check the Mind Warriors section. You'll find testimonials to that fact a'plenty! Are you confident in what you have to offer? Do you believe success is inevitable as long as you put your mind, heart, and energy into it, in an intelligent way, without quitting? Or do you believe the "harsh voice of reality" that says you'll never make it on your own because being an entrepreneur just isn't for you? Either one could be right but it is entirely up to you. I'm not fond of absolutes. No one can tell you that you absolutely will or absolutely won't make it. But like I said, be honest with yourself. If after much introspection and deliberation, offline marketing just isn't for you, don't be afraid to think positively in a new direction.

Step 2: Who are you offering your services to?

There are 3 main ways to niche down offline marketing:
Industry. Locality. Both.
In the beginning:
A.) Choose any industry that suits the person you are.
B.) Choose any location where you feel you could best benefit the people, near or far.
C.) Choose any combination thereof.
Figure out the niche you could have the most impact in and go for it! Then later you can consider niches that you are not as familiar with now.

Step 3: What do you have to offer?

Offer what you're good at. Don't just offer SEO/websites/social media/consulting, etc. because everyone says it's the most lucrative way. How much do you know about it? Could you learn more? What does your market really need?

Step 4: How are you going to offer it?

Your Business Strategy is very important. You have to come up with at least a rudimentary system before you contact your first prospect.
A.) Are you an extrovert that loves beating the pavement or hours of cold-calls? Or are you the type that would prefer much less personal methods of contact like webinars, email, etc. Figure out the best combination for you between what's most comfortable and whats most profitable. Either method can succeed if you work at it but what helped me was coming up with a hybrid of introvert/extrovert tactics.
B.) Sales - Figure out how you will handle Prospecting, Proposals, Pricing, Negotiating, Follow-up, & Closing
C.) Fulfillment - How will you handle Customer Support and Retention
D.) Back-office - And don't forget about Accounting, Billing and Reporting.
E.) Also consider outsourcing or hiring sales people or appointment setters. You have to find new leads, follow-up with them, try to close them on your services, and so much more. On top of that, you have to actually service the clients you already have. Outsourcing some of your duties will save you time and energy, fill in any gaps you have in your qualifications/comfort level, and also make you money.

Step 5: Get Coaching.

There is a lot of free information and information products on the internet about how to be successful. However, the best investment you can make into your business is Coaching. Especially in the beginning. Seek out great offline professionals either in your local area or online who are willing to help. They can take you by the had and lead you down the path to success instead of just giving you one-off directions that are subject to change.

Two of the guys who really helped me with consulting were Lee McIntyre at GetMoreMomentum.com and Michael Zipursky with ConsultingSuccess.com. I'm not affiliated with them but they do give amazing information. (On second thought, BRB while I go see if they have an affiliate program LOL )

Step 6: Act.

All the information, direction, and planning won't mean a thing if you don't TAKE ACTION. Once you have the BASICS of the other steps figured out, find a way that you can act on the knowledge you have in the shortest possible time frame.

I'm a planner. I love to strategically plan my moves and I typically hate to take massive action without COMPLETE and thorough preparation. However, if you have this predilection it can cause severe glue-footedness. Don't let it stop you. Decide. Act. Profit. That's the best direction I can give you.

Hope this helps!

Learn how to master the art of prospecting, qualifying, pitching, and closing.. then you can figure out what to sell.. if you don't have those systems down, then you don't have a business... you'll find a few wso that can probaby help you.. but instead, i suggest you hire a coach... although expensive, you'll save years of headaches... trust me..

1) Start in industries you are most familiar with.
(It would be unprofessional and maybe costly to break a rule or law
in a regulated industry such as real estate or insurance or law.)

2) Offer the services and consulting you know the most about.
You can expand your knowledge and offers as you grow - or know who to
partner with or refer to. (I do mean really KNOW how good they are
and be able to tell if they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes.)

3) Consider working for free, low pay ,or maybe regular pay
for someone who is doing what you want to do. Learn the
business development and best practices for six months to a year.

great advice here!
I do think you have the skills to succeed as a consultant, and I also agree with some of the comments that you should break away from the employee mentality and start going entrepreneur. It's a scary thing! Being totally in control and responsible for your own biz (rather than someone giving you the task and you flourish) but amazing when you start to see and feel the lifestyle kick in.

I was in the nightclub marketing biz for years as a hired marketing manager/promoter, then decided working for one club wasn't for me, so I branched off and started my own consulting business and now have multiple club and bar clients coaching their teams on event marketing, proper use of digital tools, and servicing their promotion needs. waaaaaaay better this way since I am more in control and can add and remove clients as I see fit (no more worry about 'losing my job').

Keep at it and great work starting to learn the ways.

Thanks Ms Psyren.