Computer Consultant Business Tips for Building a Client List

If building a computer consultant business is all about whom you know, then it’s only natural to use your firm’s client list as a yardstick or barometer of how you’re progressing.

You need to find ways to keep meeting the right kinds of people. Many consultants starting out on their own think they’re not good at networking. But even if you’re not a natural salesperson, you can improve over time.

You will have to improve as a salesperson unless you have an exceptionally unusual specialty that’s in incredibly high-demand (i.e. highly unlikely). The clients for your computer consultant business won’t come to you. You have to find them.

Consider these tips as you get out there and perfect your marketing skills:

Networking and Relationships are Essential

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a few ads and some cold calls will be enough to scale your computer consultant business.

If you want a full client list within a few months, you need to develop a local reputation.

Ads and cold calls may get you some one-off clients and home-user clients.

But to create a robust computer consultant business, you must meet business owners and build relationships before their computer problems arise. If you want to earn more than low-bid prices, you must solicit the kind of clients who buy based on trust and credibility.

Just Showing Up at Events is Not Enough

If you show up thinking you hate networking events and won’t meet clients anyway, then you probably won’t. It’s called a self-fulfilling prophecy, right?

It’s not very likely that you’ll walk into your first event and meet the perfect client. You need to go back a few times. Give it time for people to get to know you. If you feel awkward schmoozing strangers at the socials, then volunteer for committees and get active.

To get started, find one event to attend every week, such as at the local Chamber of Commerce, user groups, networking groups, or civic organizations. Your computer consultant business won’t grow itself, so teach yourself the skills you need to make it happen.

And to follow through on the tips introduced in this short post, especially if you also consult on SaaS and IaaS, be sure to enroll now in our free 7-day eCourse: Go-to-Market Strategy 101 for B2B SaaS Startups and Scaleups.