How to Build a Career as an Image Consultant
Image consultants are professionals that help people to enhance their personal and professional look, increase their communication skills, and to learn proper social behavior. The main vision behind image consulting is helping men and women to feel better about themselves. If you have a heart for people and an eye for fashion then a career as an image consultant may be a good fit for you. Building a career as an image consultant can be a slow process; however, it can also be very rewarding.
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Instructions
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Determine which area of expertise you would like to specialize in, such as fashion consulting, etiquette, or communication skills. Fashion consultants specialize in improving the wardrobe and makeup techniques of her clients whereas, a consultant who specializes in etiquette would be teaching their clients proper manners. A consultant specializing in communication skills would help her clients to improve verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.
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Get educated in your area of interest by taking an image consultant course either online or at a local fashion school. Read as many books or magazines on the subject as possible, such as Vogue, Elle, or Bazaar.
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Practice what you have learned by offering free services to friends, family members, and co-workers. Give them make-overs, lessons on ettiquette, or teach them how to communicate effectively. Take before and after photos when doing make-overs and record short video clips when teaching etiquette or communication skills. Save all of your photos and video clips on a dvd, to showcase your skills to future potential clients.
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Contact make-up artists, hairstylists, personal trainers, voice coaches, and bridal salons to inform them of the services that you offer and show them your portfolio of previous experience. Leave a few business cards with each contact and ask them for referrals, in exchange offer to refer your clients to them for services that you can not perform yourself.
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Promote your new business by placing ads in local publications and handing out business cards whenever appropriate, such as leaving a card with your local bank teller or even your chiropractor.
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Tips & Warnings
A couple of books that have great information on the subjects involved with image consulting are "The Pocket Stylist" by Kendall Farr, and "Dressing the Man" by Alan Flusser. These books can be purchased online or at a local book store. Also check with your local library as they may be able to locate a free copy of these books for you to borrow.
Specializing in one area of expertise will help you to quickly become a recognized expert in your field rather than a generalist who has a little knowledge about everything but not extensive knowledge on one particular subject.
Gain even more clients by teaching workshops and seminars in your local area and offering coupons through direct mailings.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit fashion image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com
