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How Will Your Garden Grow?

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It is often useful to look backward before one moves forward.   We may be surprised to learn that our agrarian past holds valuable lessons that can be directly transferred to today’s fast-paced,  high-tech,  high-stakes and unsentimental business environment.   In Summer 2011  I read about a farmer in Georgia named Bobby Kirk,  who made national news when he wisely pointed out that it was too hot to fish.   Summers are hot in Georgia,   so I’m sure he was right.   Bobby Kirk’s folksy observation made me think about things I’ve read that compare farming and gardening to finding clients and creating more business.   Here’s a distillation of some Farmer’s Almanac-type wisdom that I’ve picked up along the way.  I hope you find it useful.

I. Plant seeds so that you will reap a harvest.
Whatever actions you take that will grow and nurture your business venture are the seeds.  Update your assumptions regarding client motivations for hiring your type of services or customer preferences in your product category.  Update your info on competitive activity.  Attend a workshop or take a course for professional development.  Read one business book per quarter,  to sharpen your skills and get some inspiration.

II. Tend your garden.
Plants,  prospects and colleagues all have their preferred form of follow-up actions.  They all want to hear from you! Plants like sunshine,  fertilizer and water.  Prospective clients who showed more than a passing interest in your services would appreciate a call or email from you,  inviting them to lunch so that you can get to know each other better and explore how your expertise can address their business needs.  The colleague who asked you to provide a reference or answer a question would like to hear from you also,  preferably within one week.  Research shows that it takes six contacts to establish the foundation of a meaningful relationship.  Follow-up,  follow-up,  follow-up in anticipation of your harvest.
III. Last year’s crop is history.
Weather,  predators and pestilence can wipe out a garden.  Shifting business priorities,  tight budgets and competitive activity can hurt your business.  Whether you have a farm,  a consultancy or an auto repair shop,  last year’s crop is just that.  Glean available lessons from your bumper crop or plague of locusts and use that knowledge to reconfigure your strategy and work smarter next time around.
IV. The more seeds planted,  the bigger the harvest.
If you expect to grow your business you must plant more seeds,  or the harvest will be meager.   Stay focused and discover and/or create money-making opportunities.

V. Plant what you want to harvest.
If you want basil and tomatoes in August,  then plant them in May.  Who do you want to be your clients?  Learn the best way to approach them and persuade them to meet with you.  Monitor which products/services are selling and to whom.  Is there a niche market you can develop? Which categories of clients will be most profitable to your business and how can you access them or increase your access? Analyze your financials,  brainstorm options,  formulate a strategy,  plant seeds,  follow-up and reap your harvest.

Thanks for reading,
Kim

Sales , , , 2 Comments

Your Sales Pitch and What the Client Thinks About It

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Selling is a huge part of a Freelancer’s job,  because we don’t survive if we don’t sell someone on the idea of hiring us.   In other words,  a Freelance consultant is a salesperson first and foremost,  regardless of the services we provide.   We must keep our selling skills razor-sharp and be forever mindful of what a prospective client needs and wants.

Before you waste time making some grandiose presentation in your next prospective client meeting,   put yourself into the shoes of the person or team you’re trying to sell.   Because you’re in business too,  you know that every day  (or so it seems)  someone is trying to sell you something that you probably don’t need.

Take this reality test first.   Whenever you buy or sell anything,  ask yourself  these three questions,  which will be approached from your personal point of view when buying and from your prospect’s point of view when selling:

1.   What do I need this for?

2.   Why do I need yours?

3.   Why do I need it now?

These are simple and uncomplicated questions,  but they’re not always easy to answer.   When you can convincingly address these questions from the client’s perspective,   I guarantee that you’ll be able to sell them  (assuming that they have the budget).   This exercise forces us to a deeper,  less self-absorbed way of thinking about what we sell and how we sell it and will  result in a more effective sales presentation.

The first question,  “Why do I need this?”  forces the seller to expertly define the value proposition.   In the pre-sales meeting discussion,  ask questions that will help you understand why you’re being invited to meet with this prospect,  what the pressing needs and hot buttons are and what the client may be worried about.

Understand the objectives and how whatever it is you do fits into the big picture.   Begin to understand how what you offer can successfully achieve those objectives and ensure realization of the big picture goal.   Then,  figure out how to express the value of what you bring in language the client will understand.

The second question,   “Why do I need yours?”  is when the seller describes the unique differentiators,  the competitive advantages.  What would make the prospect pay you to supply this product or service?   Here is where we describe that which sets us apart,  why we’re better than the rest,  why it makes sense to go with us.  Answers to this question are formed in bullet points.   They are crisp and clear,  easy to express and remember.

The last question,   “Why do I need it now?”  is the most important of the three.   Here is where the seller states the most compelling  drivers—the need,  pain,  opportunity,  event,  etc.,  that will cause the prospect to make the decision to use your product or service and commence the buying process immediately and not at some yet-to-be-determined point in the future.

This question makes us think seriously about prime motivators and how to eloquently and succinctly express them to the prospect and make him/her want to do the deal right now.   Is the need for your product or service an immediate priority?

If you’ve taken the initiative to approach the client rather that the other way around,  you may find that you’re ahead of the curve,  that you’re presenting a course of action that the prospect isn’t prepared to take,  that he/she hasn’t yet bought into.  If that is the case,  you will have a long market education cycle ahead of you and may well end up empty-handed.   Conversely,  you may learn that you’re too late and the need for your solution has passed.

Nevertheless,   however you mange to get yourself in front of a prospect,   answering these three questions first will serve you well every time.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Survival Strategies , , 1 Comment

Bouncing Back from Adversity

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Every once in a while things fall into place,  our wishes come true and the seeds we plant bear fruit.   But inevitably,  we’re bound to get stung by a territorial hornet.   The strategic plan and common sense precautions fail to produce the expected results.  Adversity strikes and the garden falls apart.

 Maybe you lose your biggest client to a wily or better-connected competitor.   Maybe demand for your services suddenly diminishes.  You’re devastated and depressed,  insulted even,   and feeling like a truck ran over you.  You’re frightened and wonder how the bills will be paid. 

 Nadine Thompson,   founder and CEO of Soul Purpose,   a New Hampshire based direct sales company that produces organic beauty products,   knows this crushing experience intimately.   In 1999,   Thompson founded the herbal beauty care company Warm Spirit.   The company gained national recognition,   was featured in Oprah Winfrey’s O  Magazine,   counted actress Diane Keaton among its celebrity endorsers and had over $16 million in annual sales. 

But  in 2007,    Thompson lost Warm Spirit in a hostile takeover that was precipitated by a power struggle over business strategy with a partner who was providing significant financing.   To her horror,   she realized that not only was she not an equal partner in the business with this financial investor and his partner,   but  she didn’t own even a single share of the company that she created and nurtured.

Shattered,   yet determined to re-group,   Thompson pulled herself together enough to realize her own complicity in the demise.   Obviously,   she neglected to perform basic due diligence and have her attorney and accountant parse the documents and explain to her the full impact of what she was doing when bringing on the  investors.   As a result,   she unwittingly signed away her company in exchange for additional financing.

Fortunately,   Thompson possessed enough clout to quickly secure  financing for a new venture and she was able to launch Soul Purpose in 2008,   less than two years after the takeover of Warm Spirit.   Of her experiences,  Thompson says   “I believe more than ever that entrepreneurship is a journey…..Successful entrepreneurs are those who are able to learn from challenges and use resilience to bounce back from perceived failures.”   Thompson reveals lessons she learned:

1.   Entrepreneurship by definition involves risk.  Accept that.

2.   Opportunities for growth are often disguised as failures.

3.    Intuition is a gift.  Do not ignore it.

4.   Learn from your mistakes and do not repeat them.

5.    When criticized,  hear it with a  “grain of salt”,  but always ask yourself what truth or opportunity for growth is embedded within.

6.   Work not just hard,  but smart.

7.   Allow yourself time to rest and recharge your batteries.

8.   Have faith in yourself and your vision.

 

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Sales , Leave a comment

Negotiating Tips

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“What’s your best price?”

“That’s too expensive,  we can’t budget that amount.”

“Last year I hired one of your competitors to do the same thing for half your price.”

Freelancers,  business owners and of course salespeople are confronted with the above statements on a regular basis.   Customers are always angling to get the goodies on the cheap.   We need the sale,  we need the work because we need to get paid and that puts us in a vulnerable position.  How can we command what we consider to be  a fair sum  for the top-drawer services that we deliver?  To get what we feel is our due,  it’s imperative that we sharpen our negotiation skills.

Many people are afraid to negotiate.  But all of life is negotiation,  if you think about it.   All relationships involve  give and take,  do they not? Life is all about the exchange of what is valuable: time,  love,  expertise,  friendship,  products and services,  money.   To frame the process of negotiation in that light is to de-mystify it,  take away the fear and encourage one to learn to become more adept.  The tactics listed here will help:

The cards you hold

First,  understand the value of what you bring to the table.  Do your homework and investigate your competitive advantages.   How urgent is the need for what you’re selling?  Who else can match or possibly exceed you in quality,  expertise,  price and/or timing?

The person with the best data often triumphs,  so learn as much as you can about the prospect and any competitors.  If possible,  figure out if the prospect has the ability to do the project in-house.   Ask whether this project been done before and if so,  who did the work?  While you’re gathering intelligence,  try to figure out whether they might be inclined to cancel the job if they can’t get what they want for cheap money. 

Identify what the prospect wants,  why they want it and what they gain by having it,  or lose by not having it.  If a lot is on the line,  that strengthens your hand and vastly improves your chance of getting paid what you want,  depending on who you’re competing against.

Re: competitors,  find out who they are and if a prior relationship exists and why the prospect didn’t call that company/Freelancer in again?  Are they in search of something else,  or is it required that a certain number of vendors be interviewed and that’s why you’ve been invited to bid?  A vendor who’s done business with the prospect previously has a huge advantage,  but if you can make a good case,  it’s possible to scoop the business.  Maybe the administrative assistant can fill you in on a few things,  so be friendly and diplomatically ask a couple of questions.

Practice

Hone your abilities and your confidence by incorporating negotiation into your everyday life.  You’re liable to be pleasantly surprised by the receipt of a few unexpected benefits.   When making large purchases,  bring your checkbook.   Ask the store clerk  (who will have to consult the manager)  what the discount is when you pay by check  rather than by credit card  (merchant credit card processing fees cost more money).

If you visit a flea market or antiques store,  ask for 20%  off the marked price.  Again,  bring your checkbook and sweeten the deal by allowing the merchant to avoid the credit card processing fee and pass the savings onto you.  Even when you’re paying by credit card,  requesting a 10% – 20%  discount on original art,  furs and high-end jewelry allows the merchant to move product that might otherwise languish and saves you money.  You’ll be so proud of yourself!

Be confident and pleasant when you ask for your discount.  Ask for a little more than what you expect to receive  (your prospect will do that as well,  when squeezing you for a lower fee)  and expect to wind up somewhere in the middle.  Get comfortable with silence when negotiating.   Make an offer or respond to the client with a counter-offer and then shut up and wait for the response.  You may go back and forth a bit,   but hang in there and don’t be afraid to do a little horse trading.

Walk away

When entering a sales negotiation,  always have your minimum standards in mind and adhere to them.   Be prepared to leave the business on the table if you feel the prospect is out to exploit you.   It won’t help your cash flow,  but you’ll be able to hold your head high and become even more savvy as you successfully sell to the next prospect.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Marketing 4 Comments

Follow-Up Your Inbound Marketing

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Inbound Marketing,  the strategy and practice of persuading prospective clients to contact a business by offering information on,  for example,  a website or social media platform that piques a prospect’s interest and leads that individual to contact the business,  stands in opposition to Outbound Marketing,  which encompasses traditional marketing practices such as advertising,  participation in trade shows,  sending out press releases and making cold calls as a strategy to appeal to prospective customers.

Either method can be effective and one is advised to implement both to a greater or lesser degree depending on one’s clientele.  Inbound Marketing is all the rage in some quarters,  as it has the potential to deliver self-selected prospects.   In 2009,  US companies spent $22.7 billion on internet based advertising designed to drive Inbound Marketing to both B2B and B2C customers.   Yet as with so much in life,  follow-up counts.   Time,  it turns out,  is the enemy of Inbound Marketing.

Do it now

Unless your product or service can be purchased online,  fast follow-up to Inbound Marketing inquiries is absolutely essential.   A 2010 study conducted by the Harvard Business Review revealed that the average response time to an Inbound Marketing lead is 42 hours.  Evidence has shown that waiting nearly two days to get back to a prospective client may very well cause you to lose your chance.   In 2006,  James B. Oldroyd,  professor at MIT Sloan School of Management,  teamed up with the sales technology firm Inside Sales to address the question of the ideal follow-up time-frame for web-generated leads.

Dr. Oldroyd analyzed three years of cold calling data across six companies: 15,000 sales leads generated from 100,000 + cold call attempts.  He found that Inbound Marketing leads have an extremely short shelf life.  His data showed that 5 minutes is the best time-frame and that any response made after 30 minutes was a waste of time.

If follow-up was made within five minutes,  the likelihood of a sale resulting was four times greater than if the call back occurred from five to ten minutes after the inquiry.  Freelancers can take that to mean our follow-up needs to occur within 24 hours; waiting even two days to call someone back could cost you.

Time it right

There are also many theories floating around about the best days and times to contact a customer.  Oldroyd studied that issue as well and discovered that 8:00 – 9:00 AM and 4:00 – 5:00 PM are the prime times to call.  1:00 – 2:00 PM is the worst time of day to attempt contact.

Popular wisdom has it that Monday is totally the worse day to call anyone and there is a school of thought that claims Friday is the best day,  since clients are allegedly in a good frame of mind as they wind down and head into the weekend.  Oldroyd’s study revealed that neither day is best or worst.

When it comes to cold calling or following up,  Thursday reigns supreme and Wednesday is a close second.   Friday emerged as the worst day to call and the other days are somewhere in the middle.   So if you’re unable to respond back within the ideal time-frame for your clients,  a reasonable Plan B is to call on a Thursday,  between 8:00 – 9:00 AM or 4:00 – 5:00 PM.

The moral to this story is pretty simple,  actually.   If you decide to direct valuable resources into an Inbound Marketing strategy,  then make sure that you or your team are prepared to respond to prospects in a timely fashion.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Business Strategy , , Leave a comment

Your Brand: Remix and Refresh

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Freelance consultants represent and inhabit our brand completely.   We are what we do and it’s to our advantage to be known for what we do because it’s good for business.  It is most advantageous to be considered a known quantity,   the obvious choice when clients are in need of our service category.   At the same time,   it is wise to take a page from the Nicki Minaj playbook  (authored by Madonna,  as you know)  and do a remix every once in a while,  to remind the marketplace that what we bring is a little ahead of the curve: au courant, relevant and therefore,  worth a premium.

So maybe every three years or so,  one may want to shuffle the cards,  or play the hand a little differently.  Before making any major changes,  however,  you are advised to obtain a clear understanding of what would be useful to tweak and what to leave alone.   To do that effectively,  it’s important to— guess what?  Talk to your clients.  If possible,  speak also with those who use your category of services but haven’t hired you.   Until you determine what you and your brand represent to clients and moreover,  get a handle on why certain folks don’t hire you,  your rebranding strategy will be counterproductive.

Media titan Kenard Gibbs,  co-founder of Madvision Media and former president of VIBE Magazine,   recommends that like Stephen Covey,  author of  “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” (1989),   you begin with the end in mind.   “You need to have some idea as to what you are ultimately trying to achieve …..The end goal dictates how you proceed…..”

Gibbs advises that a SWOT  (Strengths,  Weaknesses,  Opportunities,  Threats)  analysis be done once the customer,  industry and other marketplace research have been performed.   The SWOT internal  (Strengths & Weaknesses,  e.g.  strategic relationships and expertise)  and external (Opportunities & Threats,  e.g. market trends,  the economy,  client needs)  analysis guide your rebranding strategy and identify new possibilities that expand the reach of your potential client base.   SWOT will also ensure that you maintain services that clients value and that your self-editing is perceived as both logical and authentic for you. 

Timing is also of the essence,  so be smart about the rebrand roll-out.  Set a realistic timetable.    Create a timetable for the entire process,   from the client and market research and SWOT analysis to rebranding conceptualization,   strategy formulation,   implementation and assessment phases.

Finally,   give consideration to how and when you will announce to clients and colleagues that you’ve refreshed your brand and what that means.   Gibbs says  “You need to develop an integrated media plan to show that you are available to clients in new and even more useful ways,  that there is a new way to interact with your brand.”   Social media and website updates are de rigueur,   but press releases and paid advertisements in selected media outlets are not to be ignored.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Survival Strategies , Leave a comment

What’s Your Problem-Solving Style?

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Problem-solving skills are hugely important,  in our business and our personal lives.   How we approach and resolve problems provides revealing insights into our character,  our priorities and our insecurities.   What does your problem-solving style say about you?  Check out these four examples and discover what your clients,  colleagues,  friends and family see.

The Blamer

Chances are you’ve had the misfortune of encountering this type before,   known to attack first and check facts later.   Whatever goes wrong has to be someone’s fault,  meaning someone other than him/herself.  Rather than addressing the problem straight away,  this individual becomes defensive and wastes precious time accusing others of various sins and failings that  “allowed” the problem to occur.  

Playing an aggressive blame game is the weakest and most detrimental problem-solving style.  Feelings get hurt and resentments breed as a result.  Blamers are immature and irresponsible.  They shift the onus to others and are unable to admit that perhaps they screwed up,  or even acknowledge that the adverse event that gave rise to the problem was random and beyond anyone’s control.

Analysis paralysis

These folks talk rather than act.   They’ll call a meeting to discuss the problem.  They will then schedule another meeting at which time a committee is selected,  to further study the problem.  Perhaps a report will be written,  to document the problem and identify possible solutions.   Over-analyzers may be thorough researchers,  but they are procrastinators in disguise.   They would like to solve the problem,  but are incapable of taking action.  They’ll check the facts,  but moving forward and crafting a solution anytime soon is not in their DNA.

Quick fixers

Polar opposites of the analysis paralysis team,   the Quick Fixers are ready to right the wrong right away.   Yet they take a slapdash approach and fail to think things through or do the research that would reveal the root cause of the problem and allow for the development of a credible solution.   Part of the problem may be solved,   but because a proper examination was not made,   they  (or you)  may have to deal with it all over again.   Any of us may resort to a quick fix when short of time,   but for others half-baked   “solutions”  are a way of life.   Maybe they have ADD  (Attention Deficit Disorder)?

The Listener

 Listeners have the most highly developed problem-solving skills and it’s their style we ought to emulate.  Listeners are willing to truly hear  the details of the problem.  They ask questions to elicit relevant information and they cut through the drama that problems often cause by remaining as calm as possible and keeping their wits about them,  as they confirm what has transpired.   Because they hear what must be heard,  Listeners are then able to realistically assess the problem and get a sense of who can best resolve it,   whether it is the Listener him/herself,  or someone with specific expertise.  

 Listeners are able to analyze the problem because they do the research and think things through.   They are able to act quickly to resolve a problem,  but they will not be reckless or half-baked.  Most of all,   Listeners will not succumb to the trap of blaming,  even if the problem was caused by someone’s negligence.   Instead,   the Listener will take steps to correct the oversight,  learn from the mistake and move forward,  wiser and better prepared.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Technology / Office , , Leave a comment

Before You Use That Free Wi-Fi…

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Thank goodness for free Wi-Fi sites.  I’m sure you find them convenient and sometimes even necessary.  I’m happy to be able to duck into a library or nice coffee shop that displays a free Wi-Fi sign in the window and get some work done while between appointments.  It’s all good,  but like with so many good things,  there can be a downside to free hotspots.   Perils may lurk in the in the Wi-Fi shadows and we are advised to think a minute before we click and connect.

Information transmitted on an inadequately secured network can be intercepted by some nefarious someone who can use readily available software and equipment.   If that’s not scary enough,  hackers have been known to create pirate Wi-Fi sites that appear to be legitimate,  to trick the trusting into connecting and giving the bad guys access to whatever is done online.  

 Yet despite the risks,  it is possible to take advantage of public Wi-Fi,  but taking precautions to protect your data is strongly advised.

I.      Know your hotspot

Hotels are hotspots that typically require a password and offer free Wi-Fi only to registered guests,  thus making hotel Wi-Fi very secure.   Neighborhood coffee shops  and the public library may not be so secure.  You can sometimes check the level of security if there is a terms of service page to read before you connect  (a la Starbucks). 

According to the industry group Wi-Fi Alliance,  only use hot-spots that provide security technology known as W-Fi Protected Access 2  (WPA2),  which offers more security than the earlier systems WPA and Wired Equivalent Privacy  (WEP).   Look for this info on the terms of service page before you decide to transmit any sensitive data that hackers may seek.  The ultimate security precaution is to refrain from doing any online banking or credit card transactions on public Wi-Fi.

II.    Encrypt the data

On the other hand,   basically all websites that handle sensitive info,  such as banks,  brokerage houses and e-commerce sites,  use encryption technology known as Secure Sockets Layer  (SSL) that scrambles any data that is entered.   You’ll know that SSL is in effect when the web address starts with  “https”.   Several email and social media sites,  notably Gmail,  Hotmail and Facebook,  use SSL to keep private communication safe from eavesdroppers.  Facebook,  however,  requires that users activate the SSL.   To do so,  go first to Account Settings,   click Security,  then enable Secure Browsing.

III.   Virtual Private Network

Virtual Private Network  (VPN)  software is a must for those who regularly transmit sensitive data over public Wi-Fi networks.  VPN software creates an  “encrypted tunnel”  through which your data travels as it sails through the world wide web.  Many large corporations have their own SSL networks in place for their employees,  but Freelancers and other small business operators can get some cover as well.  

Anonymizer Universal  http://anonymizer.com  is compatible with Windows,  Mac,  iPad and iPhone and costs $80.00/year.  PrivateWiFi  http://privatewifi.com  supports Windows and Mac and is available at $10/month or annually at $85.00.   VPN4ALL  http://vpn4all.com  is compatible with Windows,  Windows Mobile,  Mac,  Android,  iPad and iPhone for $6.00 – $20.00/month,  depending on the operating system you run and the amount of data you’ll transmit.

OpenVPN Technologies actually developed the open-source technology that is used by several software companies that offer SSL.  Private Tunnel  http://privatetunnel.com is their VPN service and it caters specifically to small business.  Private Tunnel supports Windows and Mac and costs $12.00 – $50.00/year,  depending on the amount of data transmitted.

Finally,  it’s possible to avoid Wi-Fi networks altogether and connect to the internet through a wireless carrier.   For this totally mobile service you will likely pay $50.00 – $60.00 /month.  Wireless carriers use encryption when transferring data.  For your mobile device you’ll probably need a large or unlimited GB plan.  Laptops will require a special device that plugs into a port like a flash drive.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Business Strategy , , Leave a comment

Niche Market Opps for Freelancers

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Developing new markets is essential for all Freelance consultants and business owners.  That means it’s necessary to be aware of major trends and even significant fads,  for there is money to be made over the long or short-term.   How does one learn about the existence of niche markets that may be promising for you?  Stay abreast of current events by reading good newspapers,  business articles,  blogs and magazines.   Talk to your friends,  family and colleagues.   Do volunteer work,   go to the gym,  out for a bike ride,  or drinking with your pals.   In other words,  be fully engaged in life and the information that you seek will either come to you or will be unearthed by you.   If you read the March 20 post on making your own luck,   you’ll know what to do.

Career Transition consultants

How to identify a second career and segue from one’s current line of work and  into what will be more personally and/or financially rewarding is on the must-do list of many professionals,  employed and unemployed.   Some folks are preparing for a possible lay-off,  some for retirement and still others want to make a career change while they’re still young enough to enjoy it.   Discovering the industry and job specs of work that resonates with you and formulating an effective career change recipe that leverages skills,   relationships and whatever additional training that will open the right doors drives the business of career transition coaches.   Also, companies that are in the midst of a major staff reduction often hire career transition consultants to soften the landing of employees who’ve been let go.

Generation Y Marketing consultants

Many businesses and large cultural institutions,   notably ballet,  opera and regional theater companies,   symphonies and museums,  are determined to add under 35 members to their aging family of donors and subscribers.   Generation Y is integral to an organization’s survival and to that end marketing and development departments have been offering discount subscriptions,   innovative social events designed with younger audiences in mind and other targeted marketing initiatives that might attact the Gen Y crowd.   Institutions cannot afford to slack off on these campaigns and consultants who specialize in marketing to the under 35 cohort are being hired to keep the audience-building strategies flowing.

Home Security consultants

Listen to your local television news report tonight and you’re guaranteed to be inundated with the horrific details of lurid crimes committed in both middle class and low-income neighborhoods.  Home invasions,  car jackings,  bullying,  identity theft and shoot-outs in Wal-Mart parking lots occur with shocking regularity these days.   As a result,  fear for one’s personal safety is on the rise and home security consultants have seen a significant uptick in billable hours as many individuals seek to protect their physical and online security.   Police officers and detectives are qualified to give advice on how to secure doors and windows and where to improve lighting,   as well as give useful advice regarding mail and newspaper deliveries when one will be out-of-town and pointing out the perils of announcing your vacation plans on your Facebook page  (why tip-off thieves?).   Electricians are qualified to install sophisticated home alarm systems and IT specialists will set up protocols for your computer.

Home Organizing consultants

When you decide it’s finally time to get your office,  closets,  basement and whatever else organized so that you can live and work at peak efficiency,   home organizing consultants will come to your rescue and help you purge the clutter and effectively organize,   store abnd label what you will keep.  The best will have training in Feng Shui.   Additionally,   most also give pointers on useful organizing accessories,  office furniture and other tips to make your home environment pleasant and conducive to attracting good energy.

Image consultants

We all want to look our best,   but many of us can use some pointers.   There is a critical mass of shoppers  (and not just the very affluent)  who are willing to pay a professional shopper or stylist to help them identify flattering styles and colors and devise a mode of attire that reflects their personality and fits with their professional and social lives.    Since the early 1990s,   high-end department stores have offered personal shoppers to work with customers and increase sales and loyalty to the store.   The notoriety of Hollywood stylists who dress the stars for award shows and other high-profile personal appearances has caused that service to trickle down to the middle class masses.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

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Top Niche Markets for Freelancers

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Every business is in search of promising niche markets that will bring additional dollars to the bottom line.   Some Freelance consultants successfully operate totally within a narrow yet lucrative niche,   but most of us choose to expand our focus to include a particular niche market.   Depending on your specialty,   it could make sense for you to weigh the possibility of entering one of these growing markets.   To position yourself  for successful entry,   it might be necessary to get some training and perhaps a certification.   No doubt you’ll also need to establish a couple of key new relationships to help you get a foot in the door.   But if your research and your gut tell you that there’s reason to believe you have a shot of picking up a client or two,  then by all means get the ball rolling and do what you have to do.

 Environmental sustainability consultants

Opportunities to incorporate environmentally smart and friendly measures into homes and offices continue to grow.   The sustainability / green movement has a tremendous amount of feel-good attached,  as people strive to become better stewards of our environment.   Businesses and individuals are jumping onto the green bandwagon.   Tax incentives to persuade businesses to go green  are in place.   At home,   investments in energy efficiency translate into lower utility bills.   If you have the qualifications to hang out a shingle and address eco-friendly sustainability,   clean-tech or other green business issues,   then green will also mean dollars earned.  MBAs with a sub-specialty in sustainability,  architects,  engineers,  urban planners,   building contractors and electricians are who I see reaping the benefits. 

Home office design consultants

If you were born with an eye for arranging furniture,  understand and can communicate the benefits of ergonomic furniture and are up-to-date on bleeding edge IT products and can help people sort out their business technology needs,  then becoming a home office consultant may be the niche for you.   Knowledge of Feng Shui is another big plus.   Many more people work from home either entirely or occasionally as compared to the 1990s and the ranks of the self-employed and telecommuters continue to grow.   Even the federal government is promoting telecommuting and funding requirements to support the process have been established.   Presumably,   government contracts to hire home office design consultants for federal employees who are able to telecommute are available.

Gardening consultants

Americans are spending more time at home and as a result citizens are investing more money there,   indoors and out.   Those with green thumb or brown are hiring consultants to show them gardening possibilities and present a menu of suitable plants that will help them identify and express their preferred gardening styles.  The consultants will also interface with landscapers to design the customized outdoor space.   Gardening consultants style window boxes for city folk and Christmas greenery in town and country,  too.  There are even vegetable garden consultants.

 Color consultants

A required course for my undergraduate degree in Psychology was called   “Physiological Bases of Behavior”  and in that course we examined the psychological perception of color.   Hospitals have for decades used certain colors in surgical suites and recovery rooms to promote a calming vibe for patients and surgeons.  Scientific research over the decades since I graduated from college has further defined the power of color to influence buying habits and stimulate appetite,  which has made big-budget retail establishments and restaurant chains important clients for the color specialists.

I’ll have more niche markets for you to ponder next week.  Thanks for reading,

Kim