Starting a consultancy business

[japancool]

I'm considering starting a consultancy business for a particular PSA system.

I've never done consultancy before - I've been a freelance developer, but that's not entirely the same thing. I would be offering support and consultancy services, specifically setup, configuration and process development. I've been working with this system for the last few years and know it pretty well.

Where do I start? Any guidance would be welcome.

 

[Ozzy]

Who would be your customers and how you will get yourself in front of them? Your marketing plan.

Is there a demand for the service will feed out of that research, and also help you set your price point too.

 

[japancool]

Is there a demand for the service will feed out of that research, and also help you set your price point too.

This part, I know there is. The customers are the users of this particular system.

The "how do I get in front of them" is the bit I need to work on, I guess. As a new entrant, I also need to work out how to build trust.

 

[Ozzy]

The "how do I get in front of them" is the bit I need to work on, I guess. As a new entrant, I also need to work out how to build trust.

Do you know any users of the system you could reach out to and get some market research from?

 

[japancool]

Do you know any users of the system you could reach out to and get some market research from?

I do, but I'm not allowed to approach them at the moment, because they're clients of my employer, and I've only been in touch with them through work. I know some other consultants working in the same industry, I doubt though that they'll be willing to cough up names.

I'll try the subreddit and the Discord. Could be an opportunity to win some business as well. When I was a freelancing developer, I got quite bit of business through helping people out on Experts Exchange*.

* Not to be confused with Expert Sexchange.

 

[WaveJumper]

Any chance of your current clients knowing of other users (not connected to your current employer) who may need assistance