I would say you sound like more of a consultant, be it business planning consultant, marketing consultant or business concept or program consultant.
It is all in the sales approach you want to take.

Thanks Dusty....I appreciate your feedback.

Yes, Business Consultant.But you might want to be a bit creative with whatever you call yourself because Business Consultant can sound a bit boring and stuffy.

On the other hand if someone is in need of your services they are likely to be searching for a business consultant as this is the commonly known description of that service so you don't want to miss out on their business if you are calling yourself aomething else.

It's amazing that you have managed to position yourself and gain credibility as this from offering (merely, <- no disrespect) a proofreading service. Well done for that!

Proofreader

[quote][quote].

Business consultant

Business conception/design and consultant?

One more step and, in some areas, you could be a resident agent/virtual assistant/office! You might as well, since you are doing everything they would do, and FAR more! That could add up tho THOUSANDS of extra dollars per year for doing basically NOTHING! SERIOUSLY! And it could be considered CHEAP!

Steve

[DELETED]

I think 'Marketing and Business Development Consultant'.
Sounds good anyway

Hello Jacqueline

What you are doing is called Strategic Consulting. Basically you are "coaching" a client through a series of reflective Q&A sessions whereby they in turn realize the outcome.

If you spoon fed them all the answers then it would be more akin to Strategic Mentoring.

Bottom line, you should be charging for this INCREDIBLY VALUABLE SERVICE. I do and clients routinely pay my company thousands for this type of service.

You probably already know this, but price based on value. I regularly help my clients make small corrective decisions that within a year have saved them serious $$$.

Hope that helps,

James

Guru.

Just kidding - I like James' 'Strategic Consultant' - a step up from the more commonly used Marketing Consultant with the implied extra value of coming up with a definite strategy...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Not sure why I spent any time researching anywhere else! You guys are the best.

James....you described exactly what I have been doing. Prior to having my own business, I was a social worker for many, many years......I probably shouldn't be surprised that those skills have followed me in to the business world.

Okay....off to give it some thought and develop a marketing plan. I'll let you all know what 'title' I end up going with.

Thanks!!!!!

Which works better.....

Marketing & Business Development Consultant

OR

Marketing & Business Strategy Consultant

OR

Should I remove the word 'marketing' as it naturally would be part of any business development/strategy plan anyway?

AND/OR

As I plan on targetting the online world, should I include the word 'internet' in the title.

I love having you guys as a sounding board! Trying to explain this to those in the 'other world' just takes too damn long.....and they still don't usually get it!

Thanks!

If you are going to get the clients to do it themselves could be called
Business Mentor
Online Business Mentor
Project Mentor
or something around this which can cover a lot.
Yes would be a good business for you and you have had practice.

If you're doing business consulting, you can often make substantial fees by moving to a partially contingency fee based arrangement. You get paid a percentage of things, based upon some metrics that you agree on. These can be increased profit, increased revenue, gain in client or customer list, time saved, money saved, market share gain, etc.

This way you not only demonstrating value to your clients, but being paid handsomely for it. Consultants typically do this for established clients, after first having a traditional hourly billing arrangement.

What would you rather have, 100 billable hours @$150/hr, or 20% of an additional $500,000 profit or savings? You can see the potential with the right contingency fee arrangement. I've seen consultants save businesses millions of dollars annually. They will happily pay a sizable percentage of the incremental revenue or savings your services generate. It's a win-win, because they only pay you for performance. Of course, of you fail, you cold easily be eating Top Ramen for a while.

Steve....thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I will definitely take everything you've said into consideration when setting up my fee schedule.

Thanks!

Wow Nick.....you've really made me start to rethink this entire 'titling' process.

I think the reason I felt I needed a title was for marketing purposes. However, you are so right when you say that 'titles' just end up clumping you in with everyone else.

It seems that what I do for my clients is a little unique and instead of trying to fit myself into a generic title, I should be making a title fit into what I do. Although.....your idea of no title is a tempting one too!

I must say....I'm loving 'Business Therapist' because that is exactly what I feel like I am doing with my clients.

Thanks for the reminder that we should always stay true to ourselves....even in business!

Hi, whatever it is, it sounds like gold! Lol.

I think if you break down the typical journey you go down when "doing what you do" - it may be that you suprise yourself and discover that you actually do a lot more that you think, this may even help you when considering the marketing for your service.

I think you're right though, titling could 'pigeon-hole' you and that could hold your progress and development back. Who needs labels, right?

On a side-note, I think it's an awesome position to be in. Doing what you love, and not even knowing how to categorise it. It must give you an amazing sense of freedom. Good luck in your business, and the bet of luck.

Cheers,

Newbim.

Well.....so much for a weekend of getting things done around the house. All of your input and encouragement has put my already very active mind in over drive!

It's amazing how life evolves and things just seem to fall into place sometimes.

I've been sitting with 'Business Therapist' for the past couple of hours and I must say.....it feels right. Thanks Nick!

Now....to just come up with a marketing plan that makes others appreciate the benefits I have to offer.

Thanks to Newbim, I am going to start with this......

I think if you break down the typical journey you go down when "doing what you do" - it may be that you suprise yourself and discover that you actually do a lot more that you think, this may even help you when considering the marketing for your service.

....and see what I end up with.

Sit tight guys....I'll be back with my marketing ideas to bounce off you in the next couple of days!

It's great to hear you've managed to move forward Jacqueline! Some of the information above is great! In fact, it all is. It's true, why do you need a title? You are you and if you sell yourself to your customers, what does a title really matter?

"business consultant"