You want to get started in consulting for product engineering. What are the first steps you should take?

1 Define your niche

Before you start looking for clients, you need to define your niche. What kind of products do you specialize in? What industry or domain do you have expertise in? What problems can you solve better than others? Having a clear and specific niche will help you stand out from the crowd and attract the right clients who need your services. It will also help you focus your marketing efforts and showcase your portfolio.

2 Build your personal brand

As a product engineering consultant, you are your own business. You need to build a strong personal brand that showcases your skills, experience, and value proposition. Your personal brand should include your online presence, such as your website, blog, social media, and portfolio. You should also create a professional resume, cover letter, and business card. Your personal brand should communicate who you are, what you do, and why you are the best choice for your clients.

3 Network and market yourself

To get clients, you need to network and market yourself. You can start by reaching out to your existing contacts, such as former colleagues, employers, friends, and family. Let them know what you are doing and ask for referrals or introductions. You can also join online communities, forums, and groups related to your niche and engage with potential clients and peers. You can also create and share valuable content, such as blog posts, podcasts, videos, or case studies, that demonstrate your expertise and provide value to your audience.

4 Set your rates and terms

One of the most challenging aspects of consulting for product engineering is setting your rates and terms. You need to consider your skills, experience, demand, competition, and value. You also need to decide whether you want to charge by the hour, by the project, or by the value. You should also have a clear and written contract that outlines the scope, deliverables, timeline, payment, and expectations of the project. You should also be prepared to negotiate and communicate your value to your clients.

5 Deliver quality work and results

The most important step to succeed as a product engineering consultant is to deliver quality work and results. You need to meet or exceed your clients' expectations and solve their problems. You need to follow the best practices and standards of product engineering, such as user research, prototyping, testing, and feedback. You need to communicate effectively and frequently with your clients and stakeholders. You need to manage your time, resources, and risks. And you need to deliver on time and on budget.

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?