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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
How to do a teleseminar
Look out for the teleseminars starting in January 09 on Essential Profit Rules and Build Your Knowledge Business. I am enjoying planning them and putting them all together. There is going to be a ton of information in these so watch out ...
Monday, December 15, 2008
Article marketing
Did you know that when somebody comes to your website, you only have a very short period of time to impress them . It is estimated that when a person comes to your website you have around 30 seconds to persuade them to do something with the information you provide. Some studies say this is only 7 seconds.
Now if you think of all the work that goes into the development of a website, that’s a lot of work for just 30 seconds (or even 7 seconds) of attention.
Try writing articles. One reason why article marketing is a powerful marketing technique is that when someone reads the article you have produced, you have their attention for much longer than you do for a webpage - about 3-5 minutes. With an article that takes around 5 minutes to read, you can have about 10 times the amount of time to impress than you would normally have with a website. Get the rest of the article here: www.startaconsultancy.com
Now if you think of all the work that goes into the development of a website, that’s a lot of work for just 30 seconds (or even 7 seconds) of attention.
Try writing articles. One reason why article marketing is a powerful marketing technique is that when someone reads the article you have produced, you have their attention for much longer than you do for a webpage - about 3-5 minutes. With an article that takes around 5 minutes to read, you can have about 10 times the amount of time to impress than you would normally have with a website. Get the rest of the article here: www.startaconsultancy.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Thinking outside the books: for academics, teachers and researchers
If you’ve never considered selling your knowledge online - now is the time. Or if you have tried and failed why not try again? We all know that lecturers and researchers desire and are under pressure to appeal to wider audiences and bring in extra money either for their university, college or for their own personal incomes. This desire and pressure will probably increase in the context of the current economic difficulties that lie ahead and as we contemplate job and financial security.In such times, it is my view that the ability to market and sell information and knowledge (academic and other kinds) is going to become increasingly important for academics and knowledge specialists. But the opportunities for them to do this, to improve their professional profiles and personal incomes, are better than they have ever been.
As a former academic, but now running my own businesses I am very familiar with the difficulties of developing a knowledge specialist/consultancy type profile alongside, or instead of, a pure academic one. But the good news is that there is now so much more that academics can do to achieve this – especially online. Individual knowledge professionals in almost any subject can now access a potential global ‘market’ for their ideas, research, knowledge and skills. My invitation and challenge, is that academics and other knowledge professionals (not to mention educational institutions themselves) should to be looking more at these opportunities and using them more effectively. There are lots of reasons why:
get the rest of this article here...
www.startaconsultancy.com
As a former academic, but now running my own businesses I am very familiar with the difficulties of developing a knowledge specialist/consultancy type profile alongside, or instead of, a pure academic one. But the good news is that there is now so much more that academics can do to achieve this – especially online. Individual knowledge professionals in almost any subject can now access a potential global ‘market’ for their ideas, research, knowledge and skills. My invitation and challenge, is that academics and other knowledge professionals (not to mention educational institutions themselves) should to be looking more at these opportunities and using them more effectively. There are lots of reasons why:
get the rest of this article here...
www.startaconsultancy.com
Saturday, November 29, 2008
How to Design a Consulting Contract: 10 tips
Often large companies will have a standard document which they may expect you to adhere to. Read it carefully and make sure that you meet their criteria and that you are happy to go along with it.
In most cases, whether they do this or not, it is a good idea to draft a document stating exactly what the work is that you are undertaking.
Following an initial meeting send a letter or email thanking them and attach to this your contract. At the meeting you should have verbally agreed what you are going to do for the client and what they are going to give you in return. Unless it states in their terms of agreement to which you agree you should write in this by when you expect payment to be made. You should also state by when the work will be finished.
So, in essence, your letter of contract with the client should include a description of:
· Your understanding of what they want and why
· What you have agreed to deliver
· The date by which the work will be finished
· The process by which you propose to do the work (methodology)
· The intended outcome
· Your fee or rate of payment
· The dates by which you want payment to be made
· A statement of indemnity (if they ask and if you have it)
· The document should be signed by you and a representative and the client
· Make sure you include explicitly any unresolved issues that may remain ambiguous (this
And don’t forget to date the document.
Contracts can sometimes be more complicated than this. But these are just the basics and would normally be included in any contract or terms of engagement. It is also a good idea to send your client a draft document including all these points and asking them if they want to amend any of them.Contracts are often negotiated in the context so this is quite a normal thing to do.
Michael is a former academic, now a management and training consultant with several business, two of which are completely automated online.
In most cases, whether they do this or not, it is a good idea to draft a document stating exactly what the work is that you are undertaking.
Following an initial meeting send a letter or email thanking them and attach to this your contract. At the meeting you should have verbally agreed what you are going to do for the client and what they are going to give you in return. Unless it states in their terms of agreement to which you agree you should write in this by when you expect payment to be made. You should also state by when the work will be finished.
So, in essence, your letter of contract with the client should include a description of:
· Your understanding of what they want and why
· What you have agreed to deliver
· The date by which the work will be finished
· The process by which you propose to do the work (methodology)
· The intended outcome
· Your fee or rate of payment
· The dates by which you want payment to be made
· A statement of indemnity (if they ask and if you have it)
· The document should be signed by you and a representative and the client
· Make sure you include explicitly any unresolved issues that may remain ambiguous (this
And don’t forget to date the document.
Contracts can sometimes be more complicated than this. But these are just the basics and would normally be included in any contract or terms of engagement. It is also a good idea to send your client a draft document including all these points and asking them if they want to amend any of them.Contracts are often negotiated in the context so this is quite a normal thing to do.
Michael is a former academic, now a management and training consultant with several business, two of which are completely automated online.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Marketing Your Consultancy Offline
Few consultancies or knowledge businesses market exclusively either online or offline. So it is critical to be aware of the techniques of both. This article is primarily about marketing offline but in reality the two work hand in hand. I've said elsewhere that a niche is a group of people looking to solve a problem that they can’t find a resolution to. A niche is not a product! So the first thing to do is find that niche – a group of people with a problem.
Then, try to find out what problems they are trying to solve. Once you’ve done this you are ready to start marketing on and offline. Let’s think about the latter. So your first question is ‘who exactly are you selling to’? Who are your potential clients? Who populates your niche? Will you be marketing your products and services to large corporations? Or will you offer a speciality that would only be of interest to smaller businesses or individuals? Perhaps your services will be sought after by non-profit organizations. Maybe they are certain individuals with a particular health need or hobby – who are these? Where do they congregate? How can you reach them? Before you go forward from here, make sure you spend time getting answers to these questions. Get the rest of this article here -
www.startaconsultancy.com
Then, try to find out what problems they are trying to solve. Once you’ve done this you are ready to start marketing on and offline. Let’s think about the latter. So your first question is ‘who exactly are you selling to’? Who are your potential clients? Who populates your niche? Will you be marketing your products and services to large corporations? Or will you offer a speciality that would only be of interest to smaller businesses or individuals? Perhaps your services will be sought after by non-profit organizations. Maybe they are certain individuals with a particular health need or hobby – who are these? Where do they congregate? How can you reach them? Before you go forward from here, make sure you spend time getting answers to these questions. Get the rest of this article here -
www.startaconsultancy.com
Monday, November 3, 2008
Starting Your Consultancy: 5 Reasons why people with specialist knowledge should be starting their own consultancy.
There are so many reasons why you should take matters into your own hands rather than just rely on an employer to pay you each month. Here are five:
1.In uncertain economic times (like now) wouldn’t it be nice to know that you could work independently of an employer? And that you could sell your skills and knowledge these directly to a paying client? This is a better reason than any.
2.Another good reason is that even in more certain economic times it’s also good to know that you have an additional income generated by your own ingenuity and entrepreneurial flair?
3.Most pensions these days tend to need ‘topping-up’ is another important reason. Selling your own specialist knowledge offline or online can easily do this for you...do you?
4.So many other people are selling their knowledge, skills and expertise and in ways other than through their regular employment job.
5. You don’t want to be left behind.
Diversifying your work activity by developing an entrepreneurial stream is incredibly exciting and really fun – it will also explode your existing professional profile like crazy so don’t miss out!
If you need more and better reasons than these to start your consultancy then, a) your are very hard to convince, and b) you are probablyly happier not going for it. If you are convinced – then for goodness’ sake take action and do something about it otherwise procrastination will get the better of you … again …(?)!
Michael offers specialist Consultancy Skills Products and Workshops, Individual Coaching, Public Masterclasses, and is a specialist in Online Marketing for knowledge specialists and consultants. Contact: Michael@startaconsultancy.com
1.In uncertain economic times (like now) wouldn’t it be nice to know that you could work independently of an employer? And that you could sell your skills and knowledge these directly to a paying client? This is a better reason than any.
2.Another good reason is that even in more certain economic times it’s also good to know that you have an additional income generated by your own ingenuity and entrepreneurial flair?
3.Most pensions these days tend to need ‘topping-up’ is another important reason. Selling your own specialist knowledge offline or online can easily do this for you...do you?
4.So many other people are selling their knowledge, skills and expertise and in ways other than through their regular employment job.
5. You don’t want to be left behind.
Diversifying your work activity by developing an entrepreneurial stream is incredibly exciting and really fun – it will also explode your existing professional profile like crazy so don’t miss out!
If you need more and better reasons than these to start your consultancy then, a) your are very hard to convince, and b) you are probablyly happier not going for it. If you are convinced – then for goodness’ sake take action and do something about it otherwise procrastination will get the better of you … again …(?)!
Michael offers specialist Consultancy Skills Products and Workshops, Individual Coaching, Public Masterclasses, and is a specialist in Online Marketing for knowledge specialists and consultants. Contact: Michael@startaconsultancy.com
Starting Your Consultancy: What you need to do now …
Thank you for your interest in[http://www.startaconsultancy.com/]
www.startaconsultancy.com . No, this is not a selling pitch for my
business. It doesn’t matter if you purchase products and services from my
site or not. Of course, it would be great if you did, but what matters is
that you get started with your specialist knowledge business or
consultancy.
Now, even if you already have a job, ask yourself how safe it is? Even if
it is really safe, would you always like to be dependent on it? And, even
if the answer to this is ‘yes’, wouldn’t you like to improve your
career prospects, earn a lot more money, get known, build your profile, add
another income stream and build a better pension - which continues to grow?
If you have specialist knowledge then the time to start
[http://www.startaconsultancy.com] building your own consultancy with it is
now. It’s only a matter of time before someone else does it and you miss
out on the niche that should have been yours! Like I said, this is not a
pitch for my business but if you need to know how to do it all go my site
and download the e-guide (if you haven’t already) and get the info you
need to get started – before you get left behind and overtaken by those
who do take the step. Those who succeed are those who take action the
others (the procrastinators) stand and watch, and wonder ‘if only…’!
Look, I’m determined to get you started on this so, if you do nothing
else, go to [http://www.adwords.google.com/] www.adwords.google.com and
learn how to use the Keyword Tool. This will help you start to build your
profile and reputation online. In fact this is arguably more important than
having a website! It will provide you with the foundation to your business,
your consultancy profile, and will drive people to contact you. If you
don’t understand how it fits in with your knowledge business email me
personally and I’ll tell you – [mailto:Michael@startaconsultancy.com]
Michael@startaconsultancy.com When you’ve discovered keywords related to
your area make a note of them. You’ll need these to start your marketing
campaign.
After that, find a decent web designer. Make sure they know about how to
put an ‘opt-in’ section in your site and how to collect the names of
people who will enter their details. Make sure they understand that this is
going to be a selling site not a piece of art with lots of pictures,
colours, flash, bells and whistles. You’ll know by asking them what the
difference is. If they know then hire, if they don’t then fire!
When you’ve launched your site and submitted to the engines write some
great content articles. Okay, I could go on and on. If you like … when
you’ve done this drop me an email and I will tell you what to do next –
for free!
Michael offers specialist Consultancy Skills Workshops, Individual
Coaching, Teleseminars, Public Masterclasses, and is a specialist in Online
Marketing for knowledge specialists and consultants. Contact:
[mailto:Michael@startaconsultancy.com] Michael@startaconsultancy.com
See [http://www.startaconsultancy.com/] www.startaconsultancy.com
www.startaconsultancy.com . No, this is not a selling pitch for my
business. It doesn’t matter if you purchase products and services from my
site or not. Of course, it would be great if you did, but what matters is
that you get started with your specialist knowledge business or
consultancy.
Now, even if you already have a job, ask yourself how safe it is? Even if
it is really safe, would you always like to be dependent on it? And, even
if the answer to this is ‘yes’, wouldn’t you like to improve your
career prospects, earn a lot more money, get known, build your profile, add
another income stream and build a better pension - which continues to grow?
If you have specialist knowledge then the time to start
[http://www.startaconsultancy.com] building your own consultancy with it is
now. It’s only a matter of time before someone else does it and you miss
out on the niche that should have been yours! Like I said, this is not a
pitch for my business but if you need to know how to do it all go my site
and download the e-guide (if you haven’t already) and get the info you
need to get started – before you get left behind and overtaken by those
who do take the step. Those who succeed are those who take action the
others (the procrastinators) stand and watch, and wonder ‘if only…’!
Look, I’m determined to get you started on this so, if you do nothing
else, go to [http://www.adwords.google.com/] www.adwords.google.com and
learn how to use the Keyword Tool. This will help you start to build your
profile and reputation online. In fact this is arguably more important than
having a website! It will provide you with the foundation to your business,
your consultancy profile, and will drive people to contact you. If you
don’t understand how it fits in with your knowledge business email me
personally and I’ll tell you – [mailto:Michael@startaconsultancy.com]
Michael@startaconsultancy.com When you’ve discovered keywords related to
your area make a note of them. You’ll need these to start your marketing
campaign.
After that, find a decent web designer. Make sure they know about how to
put an ‘opt-in’ section in your site and how to collect the names of
people who will enter their details. Make sure they understand that this is
going to be a selling site not a piece of art with lots of pictures,
colours, flash, bells and whistles. You’ll know by asking them what the
difference is. If they know then hire, if they don’t then fire!
When you’ve launched your site and submitted to the engines write some
great content articles. Okay, I could go on and on. If you like … when
you’ve done this drop me an email and I will tell you what to do next –
for free!
Michael offers specialist Consultancy Skills Workshops, Individual
Coaching, Teleseminars, Public Masterclasses, and is a specialist in Online
Marketing for knowledge specialists and consultants. Contact:
[mailto:Michael@startaconsultancy.com] Michael@startaconsultancy.com
See [http://www.startaconsultancy.com/] www.startaconsultancy.com
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Start a Consultancy
Do your friends, family and colleagues often ask you for advice on something. Is your opinion valued by anyone? Were you aware that you can probably get very well paid for your knowledge? Why not seek out the opportunities that this can give you ...at www.startaconsultancy.com
I established this blog for people with specialist knowledge in a particular area so that they could find support and advice on setting up their own consultancy or knowledge business
I established this blog for people with specialist knowledge in a particular area so that they could find support and advice on setting up their own consultancy or knowledge business
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