How to Become a Private Investigator in Colorado

As of April, 2010, Colorado was one of the few states that did not require a private investigator, or PI, to be licensed. However, the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC), was actively working toward a state licensing statute. Meanwhile, to become established as a credible, qualified PI in Colorado, it's a good idea to study the field, attend PPIAC meetings (and consider joining), structure your business, gain experience and market your services.

Instructions

1. Research the private investigations field. It's important to understand the business, its organizations, resources and more before hanging out your shingle. Check out library books on conducting investigations or buy them from retailers such as PIstore.com or Pimall.com. Read articles on private investigations at sites such as Einvestigator.com and Pursuit Magazine (Pursuitmag.com) about how to conduct business background checks, find people and conduct surveillance. Review the Colorado PPIAC website and the association newsletter to learn about Colorado private investigator issues, education, mentoring and conferences.

2. Specialize. It's a common misconception that all private investigators work cheating spouse cases or only conduct surveillance. There are dozens of specialized fields within the private investigations business, from legal investigations to computer forensics to skip tracing (finding people). Turn a skill you already have into a specialization--for example, a paralegal might specialize in legal investigations; a computer tech might specialize in computer forensics. Review categories of investigative specializations at Einvestigator or Pimagazine.com.

3. Attend a PPIAC meeting. These meetings are good opportunities to network with other Colorado investigators, get advice and learn about the investigative field. PPIAC also hosts an annual conference open to private investigators and the public. This is another opportunity to network with PIs from Colorado and other states, attend workshops, test and purchase products.

4. Gain experience. If you don't have a background in investigative work, law enforcement or investigative journalism, there are ways to gain experience while learning investigative skills. For example, contact established PIs and request internships, call law firms and offer to do investigative services (obtaining court records, finding witnesses) for a low or bulk-rate fee, volunteer with an organization and offer a free investigative service (such as records research). If you prove that you're reliable, competent and professional, word will spread about your investigative services and expertise.

5. Set your rates. Check out your competitors' websites and advertisements and see what they charge, then set your rates competitively. Potential clients look for a good deal. After you've established yourself and your services and have built a steady client base, you can raise your rates.

6. Establish a business structure. If you're thinking of starting your own investigations business rather than working for another PI, it's a good idea to establish a formal business structure. For example, a corporation or limited liability company can protect you against individual liability for business-related actions. Also, these entities can provide you with tax advantages. The Colorado Secretary of State's office can answer your questions about how to set up a corporation or partnership. Visit the office's website or call 303-894-2200, then select option 2.

7. Build a website. Now that you've studied the investigative field, pinpointed a specialization, possibly joined the state PI association and set your services and rates, it's time to formally announce your investigations business. Because so many people search for services on the Internet, having a web presence is crucial. There are online services that let you set up a website for free, but consider using the services of an experienced web designer who can create a professional, easy-to-navigate website that encourages new clients to contact you.

8. Market your business. A website is a good start, but you need a marketing plan to reach potential customers. Think about your specialization and target audience. For example, if your specialization is skip tracing, try to attract attorneys who need skip tracers to find witnesses or collection agencies who want to find debtors. Your marketing plan doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. Take advantage of free or low-cost options such as going to attorneys' offices and handing out business cards, mailing letters and postcards, offering to speak at community organizations and plugging your business on social networking sites such as Facebook.

References

• Pursuit Magazine: Tips for Marketing Your Private Investigations Business
• Einvestigator.com: Private Investigation Articles
• PI Magazine: Private Investigator Conferences & Training Seminars

Resources

• Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado: Homepage