Although there's little question marketing consulting is a fast, easy and extremely profitable home business to start -- people always tend to wonder (since it is so easy to start, even if you don't have a lot of money or experience) if the marketing consulting market is saturated. At least here in the United States. And, to be honest, yes, it is very crowded, no question. And it's getting more crowded in the sense that you now have Internet marketing consultants who are out there. And when I say Internet marketing consultants I'm talking about the ecommerce and dot-com people of the world, as well as the website designers suddenly jumping into this game. However, none of that really matters for two reasons: 1.) Markets and new businesses (who are all starving for ways to grow and keep up with demand) are popping up all over the world -- from the United States and everywhere else.2.) The only thing you need to do to compete -- and this is so simple it escapes most people -- is distinguish yourself from everyone else. When you do that, all the competition out there actually helps your cause. Because you are like a knight in shining armor, someone who is not just full of hot air, bragging about all your degrees and credentials, and really can multiply your client's sales and profits. But, you may be asking, how does someone -- especially someone just starting out -- differentiate yourself from the pack? Answer: You simply promise your clients something nobody else can or will. That may sound far out at first, but it's not. Just do what I tell all my students to do. Simply tell a prospective client this exact phrase word-for-word: "Mr. Business Owner, I know you've been hit with all these other experts and consultants, but I'm different, and here's how I'm different. I'm going to take what you've already got, and create more cash flow for you. I'm going to increase your sales and your net profits. And Mr. Prospect, I'm going to do this for you without you spending even one extra penny on marketing and advertising" And that's how you get in the door. That's all you have to say to stand out from the crowd of everyone else who is competing on price or fancy business school credentials. So, it doesn't matter how many others there are, as long as you are perceived as someone who has something different, you're going to be okay. In fact, you'll be better than okay, you'll thrive and succeed beyond your wildest dreams. And believe me -- I cannot stress this enough -- most small business owners you go after are not going to have a clue about marketing. And all you need to have is more knowledge than they do. To be able to take what they are already doing, tweak it, and increase their sales and conversion. To do that, you just need to know the basics of direct marketing (which you can learn quickly and cheaply if you know where to look) and you'll find yourself doing things other people -- who have not taken the modest amount of time to learn what you know -- will think are business miracles. |
