/ BLOG

How to Promote a Consulting Business in California

Jun 24, 2021 · 4 minutes to read

License to start a consulting business: Two consultants discuss business plan

There are 4.1 million small businesses in California as of 2020. That is a lot of potential business for consultants. Starting your own consulting business in the Golden State could be lucrative depending on the industry you work with.

Before you start looking for clients

Opening a consulting business in California can be a great opportunity, but you need to make sure you’ve sorted all the legal requirements before taking on clients. The obligations you need to meet will depend on what type of consultant you are and the industry you work within. However, there are some general requirements that most consultants need to meet to do business in California.

Before you start looking for consulting clients, you may need to:

  • Choose the correct business entity (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, etc.)
  • Obtain relevant licenses and permits (EIN, DBA certificate, zoning compliance, etc.)
  • Understand applicable OSHA and California state regulations
  • Take out any required insurance policies (Professional Liability, Workers’ Compensation, etc.)

If you have questions about how to set up your consultancy in California, visit the Office of Business and Economic Development website for more detailed information.

How to promote your consultancy

Once your business is set up, it’s time to start finding clients. New consulting businesses often use a combination of strategies to attract customers, so you may want to try all or some of the below to grow your consultancy.

1. Direct Mail

Renting or buying a targeted prospect list can help you directly reach potential clients. It’s easy for customers to delete an email, but a physical piece of mail is harder to ignore. A sales brochure, letter, or “lumpy envelope” with an enclosed gift can help you describe the services your consultancy offers and stand out from the crowd.

2. Cold Calls

Contacting people who aren’t expecting your call can be tough. Many people hate cold calling, but the personal touch it provides can yield results. Before you start dialing, practice and refine your sales pitch with a supportive colleague or friend. Even with a great pitch, be prepared for rejection. You may need to call dozens of prospects to find one client.

3. Paid Advertising

You don’t need a huge budget to run paid ads. Social media has created an affordable way for businesses to quickly reach targeted audiences. However, you can also use more traditional advertising channels if they better match your consulting niche. Specialized trade publications and magazines or even an ad in the Yellow Pages could help you reach new clients.

4. Industry Events

Networking face to face is another way to promote your consultancy. Attend events within your ideal client’s industry to meet people who may be looking for the services you provide. Depending on the type of event, you may be able to set up a table or stall to directly promote your business. You can also join relevant LinkedIn groups in your target industry where you can attract potential new clients by showcasing your expertise in group discussions.

5. Referrals

As you build your client list, referrals can be an easy way to get new business. If a client has had a positive experience working with your consultancy, they will likely be happy to refer their contacts to you. Once you’ve completed a job and verified that your client is pleased with your work, ask them to share your contact details with others who may benefit from your services.

6. Build Partnerships

Partnering with another consultancy may be a good way to reach new clients if you offer a very specific or niche set of services. Teaming up with another firm could allow you to bundle your services and widen your client base. This in turn could result in more referrals down the road.

Protect your consulting business with Professional Liability insurance

Consultants work closely with their clients, providing advice based on their professional expertise. A mistake or error in your work could lead to a financial loss for the client and put your reputation on the line. Professional Liability insurance can help protect your growing consultancy should this ever happen.

Professional Liability insurance can protect professional service providers from potentially devastating financial damages resulting from alleged negligence or error in the delivery of your services. Even if a client’s claim is baseless, a Professional Liability policy will help pay the legal fees associated with clearing your name in court. It will also cover any settlements or judgements you are ordered to pay, so you are not left out of pocket for these costs.

As your client list grows, Professional Liability can help protect your consultancy and professional reputation.

Find more information on Professional Liability insurance and how BizInsure can help you find the right policy for your consulting business.

Get Free Online Quotes and get coverage instantly

The coverage you need for your business.

Business insurance is divided into different policies. We offer 4 types so it's easy to design the coverage that fits your business.

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

Let's find

The coverage you need for your business

Professional Liability Insurance

Get a quote

General Liability Insurance

Get a quote

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Get a quote

Workers Compensation Insurance

Get a quote

Kalab was excellent. Great, great Agent. Every step was organized and well planned. I WILL recommend your firm to anyone. Thank you...
Easy to renew Policy
Plain S.
1695644756
Great total experience. The agent was professional, knowledgeable,and a pleasure to work with. The fastest business insurance purchase I've ever experience. I highly recommend Bizinsure.
Tony W.
1695492357
Communication was excellent and the process was easy.
Jessie R.
1695153508
I have been using Bizinsure for several years and find the ease of renewing as well as generating additional insured certificates to be easy and useful, especially as a sole prop. thank you
Michelle C.
1695060008
Kaleb tailored the right coverage to our business. Customer service was good and gave great understanding of coverage. Thank you from Goleda's Gentle Homecare LLC
Aneesah M.
1695056651
A GOOD COMPANY FOR HEALTH CARE INC
Supreme A.
1694871640
Easiest & fastest online quote and purchasing experience out there. Inside of 10 minutes I had a quote, payment draft, and policy in force... and at the most competitive GL rates I found.
Rusty H.
1694699044
very quick and prompt service.
Sally Jo W.
1694180429
caleb was great in helping me navigate thecorrect liabilty insurance for my company
Lindsay Erin P.
1694135867
Friendly fast service I recommend you to all vendors
Terry R.
1694133043
Great
Kemi S.
1694119021
Great Customer service and easy renewal process!!!! I would refer this company to anyone.
Chris H.
1694038325
Great company easy to work with, Andrew was very helpful,you can call him any time he is ready to listen and help
Olu A.
1693959486
Good customer service indeed
BASSI T.
1693944217
I am really satisfied BizInsurance. I was having a hard time getting insurance for my business. And when I called them they was knowledgeable in what I needed for my business. Thank you now I can get started with my business. I’m excited.
Geneva B.
1693603091
js_loader
Google Rating
4.6
Based on 186 reviews
×
js_loader