So you’ve decided to go solo and become a consultant. Congrats! Now, how do you go about marketing your consulting business? Let’s dive in.

Get A Business Page On Social Media

A business page on social media is like an online billboard that allows you to connect with potential customers and build a community. As a solo consultant, you’ll likely have to rely on social media to gain exposure and grow your business. There are a variety of platforms to choose from, so which one should you adopt?

If you’re unfamiliar, businesses can buy social media accounts from companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to promote their products and services. Designating a business account is free, but many businesses pay to promote their products and gain more followers. In order to do this, you’ll need to ensure that your business page is correctly attributed to you. This involves having a reliable identity on social media and using the right hashtags to improve your organic reach.

The best thing about a business page is that it provides an opportunity to build a community around your brand. People can connect with you on social media and gain more knowledge about your industry. This in turn, may lead to new business opportunities.

Establish Your Expertise

Now that you’ve got a Twitter account for your business, what do you do with it? Establish your expertise by sharing your knowledge and building a community of industry experts around you. You can also engage with customers through live chats and seminars as part of your marketing plan.

You’ll gain credibility as an expert in your industry by establishing yourself as a thought leader. Thought leadership is when a leader in your industry actively promotes your brand and provides you with exposure. To build a credible brand, establish yourself as an industry authority by contributing to industry publications, giving presentations at conferences, and participating in social media chats. Doing this will also increase your chances of being featured on industry platforms such as Google Alerts and LinkedIn.

Use Search Marketing To Grow Your Business

In the same way that you would do SEO for your product or service pages, you’ll need to optimize your business page for search engines. When a potential customer types a keyword into the search bar, your page should ideally appear high on the search results list. There are a variety of tools you can use to improve your SEO, so don’t hesitate to try them out.

The best thing about SEO is that you can see results quickly. If you implement the right keywords and tactics, you’ll start seeing organic traffic increase within a few months.

Grow A Following On Social Media

As we mentioned above, businesses can purchase social media accounts to promote their products and services. If you’re running a business page on social media, you’ll need to create an account for yourself and then engage with the audience. The best way to do this is by sharing industry-related content and participating in conversations with other users.

Sharing content is one of the simplest yet most effective marketing tactics on social media. When you share content that’s relevant to your industry, you’ll naturally attract followers who are interested in your niche. You can then nurture this interest into a sales conversation. When a potential customer messages you or connects with you on social media, it’s a good idea to respond quickly and engage with them. Doing this shows that you’re a willing and available marketer and may lead to more business opportunities.

Get Linkedin’s Senior Marketing Officer’s Takeaway

Linkedin’s Senior Marketing Officer, Erin Shields, suggests building a digital marketing strategy that combines SEO, social media, and email marketing. She goes on to say that your overall approach should be focused on how to engage customers and drive business growth.

The above tips should help you establish and grow your consulting business online. From getting a business page on social media to getting inbound links, putting in the effort to build a reputable brand in your industry will pay off in the end. If you want to become a consultant, go for it! Just make sure you put in the effort to learn the trade and build your reputation before you start billing hours.