How to Start a Private Investigations Business

Are you naturally curious, creative and tenacious? Do you like to put together puzzles? Are you a self-starter who can manage your time well and see a project through to completion on your own?

All of these traits, and more, are beneficial to being a private investigator. If you have the personality and get-it-done attitude, then read the rest of this article that outlines general steps for starting a private investigations business.

Instructions

1. 

   Read about the private investigations business, and think about what investigative fields you'd like to specialize in.

   One highly recommended book is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating by Steven K. Brown, a professional PI. Published in 2002, it doesn't have some current technological information about state-of-the-art tools and software, but it's a thorough read on the general field of private investigations by a qualified, seasoned professional PI who knows his stuff.

   While reading, think about the investigative field you're best suited for. Do you have a paralegal background? You'd probably enjoy legal investigations. Do you have a background working with animals? Maybe you'd enjoy specializing in finding lost pets. A background in HR? You might be a natural for pre-employment screening.

   For a list of types of PI specializations, check out the below link:

   http://www.einvestigator.com/links/private_investigator_services.htm

2. Research the licensing requirements of your state to be a private investigator (the below link provides license requirements by state):

   http://www.pimagazine.com/links_Licensing.htm

   Contact the appropriate agency, and follow the required steps. The rest of this article addresses starting a PI business after you're licensed to practice (Note: Currently, 6 states in the U.S. don't require a PI to be licensed, see above link):

3. 

   Accumulate a basic set of investigative equipment. There's lots of snazzy spy equipment out there, but there's no need to spend money on the slicker gadgets at first. Instead, focus on keeping your expenses low and your equipment basic. A computer, a camera, an audio recorder, and a basic vehicle for surveillance can get you started.

4. 

   Research what other investigators charge, and set your own fees accordingly. Be fair to your clients--don't over-charge, but don't give it away, either. When starting any business, it's helpful to give cost breaks from time to time because you want to attract new clients, but being a private investigator is also about being a professional business person. It's fair to you, and your client, to charge for the value of your work.

5. 

   Market your business, always. Of course you'll need to market it in the beginning, but a wise PI never stops marketing.

   There are many articles on the Internet about marketing a private investigations business. As with building your equipment in the beginning, be economical with your intitial marketing expenses. The following article offers many free ideas for marketing a PI business:

   http://tinyurl.com/yc3kfb6