I need consulting leads

[alextb]

I have been working through my own company as a business consultant for the past 8 months. Most of the project work I'm doing is for companies that I knew via contact from my previous employment. I am keen to promote my services to SME companies but have not found a successful way of generating the required sales leads.

I have a website which is submitted to a SEO service and I also use google adwords. However my budget is limited.

There are companies who essentially sell franchise businesses to those looking to consult in the SME market, that include methods of lead generation, but I'm not keen to hand over upwards of £40k to these guys.

I have also been offered editorial space in "The Sharp Edge" magazine for the princely sum of £6000 for 3 articles. I can't really afford this either.

Does anyone have any successful methods for generating consulting leads in the SME marketplace that do not include cold calling.

Thanks,

Alex Tylee-Birdsall

[Sana Khan]

Can you please describe in details about Consulting leads in SME market. We might be able to help you generate those leads.

[Brian Turner]

Hi Alex and welcome to Platinax.

I have a website which is submitted to a SEO service

Hm...this sounds like you may be using the wrong type of service. A typical "SEO service" commonly offered is submission to search engines - but this really doesn't bring in rankings. What you need is a program to directly rank you.

Feel free to ask further questions about this area, as SEO is a my day job.

[Profitxchange]

Consulting is very much about personal chemistry, confidence and low risk for the client.

This is very difficult thru a website.

The most effective way is networking and getting yourself into a face to face situation. Get your elevator pitch really honed, and get yourself into business gatherings. Other peoples seminars, Business Link is cheap. Even offer to make a presentation at your local chamber, business link etc etc.

I was a consultant in the sme market for 7 years and a mentor with BL for 10 years. SME's are well known as a difficult market. They don't even use help when its free!

Nevertheless, we have to make a living.

Another route is to ask your past clients if they have any problems with customers or suppliers - they may be willing to introduce you to their "supply chain" to help resolve the problems they are experiencing and thus make their life better in the process.

[kundalini]

A couple of years ago I was sitting in the Institute of Directors lounge in Manchester trying to do some work while at the next table two middle aged gents were having a rather loud discussion about their inability to generate leads for their businesses. It turned out both were "general business advisors" and had spent considerable sums on buying appointments through some broker who I believe generated them through telesales. Of course these appointments were practically worthless as they had been oversold as the telesales team were being rewarded for getting appointments not real business.

Anyway, I mistakenly went over to talk to them and have since stuck the motto "never give advice to people who don't ask for it".

Back to the original question. I would suggest you look at the type of problems you solve, look at the state of the market and the issues that are hot at the moment, then turn yourself into the person who solves that type of problem and promote that simple fact. Write a few white papers, short guides or reports on your chosen topic, and give them away on your website in return for contact information. Create an autoresponder series or write a regular newsletter and email it to everyone who opts-in for your white paper. Promote your free guide (lead generation magnet) through adwords, articles, forums, online and offline PR, even targeted direct mail. Track what works and do more of it.

[Chris Kaday]

hm pity you do not like cold calling. I built a multi million pound marketing business by using the phone - you are your best advert. Put yourself about.

[AdamHawas]

Hi There.
Cold calling CAN work if you have the right data. However it all depends on what you are selling and how passionate about the product or service you have.

We help companies have access the right kinds of contacts for thier business at a site where they stay in 100% control of what data they utilise.

[geti]

Adam from Marketsafe does not mention that his company operates an autorenewal subscription policy which means that if you don't give notice to quit at least 30 days before the anniversary date you will be liable to pay for another year.

There is nothing wrong with an autorenewal prodedure if you are aware of it - in my case there was no mention at the time they were selling me their service and it was only by chance that I came across complaints in different forums that it was pointed out to me.

[Tracy123]

We are always on the lookout for business experts

[thehost]

Some SME forums have specific section where people post such requirements for consultants, I think you can have look on this, also similar social networking sites could help you.