You want to start a consulting business in After-Sales. What are the most important steps to take?

1 Define your niche

Before you start marketing your services, you need to identify your target market and your unique value proposition. What kind of businesses do you want to work with? What are their pain points and goals in after-sales? What can you offer them that other consultants cannot? How will you measure and demonstrate your impact? Defining your niche will help you position yourself as a specialist and a problem-solver in the after-sales field.

2 Set up your business structure

You also need to decide how you will operate your consulting business legally and financially. Will you work as a sole proprietor, a partnership, a corporation, or a limited liability company? What are the tax implications and liabilities of each option? How will you invoice your clients and track your expenses and income? How will you protect your intellectual property and confidentiality? You may need to consult a lawyer and an accountant to help you set up your business structure and comply with the relevant laws and regulations.

3 Create your portfolio

Your portfolio is your showcase of your previous and current after-sales projects and achievements. It should highlight your skills, expertise, and results in a clear and compelling way. You can use case studies, testimonials, metrics, and awards to demonstrate your value to potential clients. You should also include your credentials, certifications, and affiliations in the after-sales industry. Your portfolio should be updated regularly and accessible online and offline.

4 Build your network

Networking is essential for finding and landing new after-sales consulting opportunities. You should leverage your existing contacts and relationships in the after-sales field, as well as expand your reach to new potential clients and partners. You can use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, to showcase your portfolio, share your insights, and connect with other after-sales professionals and influencers. You can also attend events, conferences, and workshops related to after-sales, where you can meet and exchange ideas with your peers and prospects.

5 Market your services

Once you have established your niche, your business structure, your portfolio, and your network, you are ready to market your after-sales consulting services to your target audience. You should develop a marketing strategy that aligns with your goals, budget, and resources. You can use various channels and methods to promote your services, such as email, social media, blog, podcast, webinars, referrals, or cold calls. You should also create a compelling value proposition and a clear call to action that entices your prospects to hire you.

6 Deliver your services

The final and most important step is to deliver your after-sales consulting services to your clients with excellence and professionalism. You should communicate clearly and regularly with your clients, set realistic expectations and deadlines, and follow the agreed scope and terms of the project. You should also use effective tools and methods to analyze, diagnose, and improve your clients' after-sales processes, systems, and performance. You should also provide regular feedback, reports, and recommendations to your clients, and measure and evaluate your results and impact.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?