Have you even thought about a career as a small business marketing consultant? Many people turn to a career as a small business marketing consultant when they lose their job. All you need to be a successful small business marketing consultant is a deep knowledge of the small business market and the ability to help people with their business related problems.

As a small business marketing consultant, you must be a problem identifier and solver. Companies usually hire a small business marketing consultant when they are looking for new direction. Usually, companies are looking for new direction because something they are currently doing is simply not working. A small business marketing consultant is called in to help the company figure out what action they should take. You, as the small business marketing consultant, must be able to comprehend what the intent was behind the company’s failed plans. You must then be able to explain why the company’s plan failed. The company will then expect you to offer a number of solutions and alternate courses. You must backup all of your solution with data projections to prove to the company that your advice will lead to a positive outcome.

When you begin your career as a small business marketing consultant, your best chance for getting work is through your friends and family. Small business marketing is a business based around referrals; there are many well-established small business marketing consultants in almost every market, so getting work from cold calls is very difficult. Remember that just one referral is equivalent to one hundred cold calls. If a friend recommends your services to one of their friends, it is much more likely that you will get the job. You should start by asking your friends and family if they know of anyone who owns a small business. You will probably be surprised at the number of people you know who have connections with the small businesses in your town. Once you have made several business contacts through your friends, all you have to do is provide excellent consultation services to them, and word off mouth will take care of the rest.

Once you have built up a portfolio of work, and evidence that your consultation services result in positive outcomes for your clients, it is only a matter of time until you become a well established small business marketing consultant in your area.