How to Start a Life Consultant Business
It is the right time to start a life consultant business, since many individuals are changing their careers and taking new and completely unplanned life paths. In order to start a life consultant business, you will need some accreditation to secure your business. Life consulting involves services that are offered for a specific organizational topic. You will work with individuals or a team within an organization and provide analysis and recommendations for a certain life process.
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Instructions
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Identify a local life consulting program and become a certified life consultant. You can choose your specialization in life consulting in a specific area such as business, careers, family, leadership, mid-life, relationships, spirituality, self-awareness, retirement, environmental impact, time management, wellness, weight management or work/life balance. Once you identify your area of interest, get a certification in that area. Make sure the certification program you choose matches standards set by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
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Write a business plan that details whether you will practice your consulting skills or start an online business by hiring several life consultants to work for you, whether your business is part-time or full-time, where and when you will start your practice, how you will promote your business to attract more clients and if you will include a website page in the marketing plan. Include how much start-up costs you will incur, where you are planning to obtain the funding for the start-up, and what type of profit you are expecting in the near future.
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Determine the legal structure of your business. Obtain business licenses and permits relevant to the consultant business in your state.
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Choose a name for your consultant business and get it registered. Fill out a "doing business as" form" and file it with your state's Secretary of State.
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Learn how to set up your office so that you can be appealing and interesting to your clients. Compare the interior decorations in your competitor offices and decide on one that pleases your area of specialization.
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Hire life consultants who are trained in various areas, after conducting a background check. Get liability insurance for all consultants.
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Determine how much you will charge your clients based on the competitor rates, your various specializations and your unique specialization skills and whether it will be an hourly, daily rate or monthly packages. Ensure that you set the fees well before you start consulting.
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Identify the inclusions in a client contract or agreement. Draft out an agreement and check whether it covers all your requirements and simultaneously details your services and service rates.
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Promote your business through advertising, free publicity, networking, speaking and seminars. Offer discounts or a free package to clients who refer new members.
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Tips & Warnings
You can just start by operating from your home, thus decreasing your start-up costs.
You must be an optimistic, inspirational and genuine consultant to succeed. You may not be able to charge high initially.
References
Resources
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