Marketing Strategies For Consultants - "Consultant Marketing 2008"

Consultants, it's 2008. And with another new year comes new goals, fresh resolve and the revision of your marketing strategies.

Beyond the proliferation of the same old marketing jargon on the web, consultants truly need a brand of marketing all their own to stay competitive. By observing s few key strategies (and perhaps undergoing a very important paradigm shift) consultants can grow their businesses in ways unprecedented in 2008.

Jumping right in...

First and foremost, shift the paradigm. Successful consultants are entrepreneurial by nature. The difference between a consultant and service provider is often that the former is in the business of marketing their consulting services and the latter focuses solely on service provision. So if you're still under the impression that providing your consulting services is your main area of focus, it's time for a paradigm shift. Successful consultants focus first and foremost on marketing their consulting services.

Here a few ways to rev up your marketing as an independent consultant:

Consultant Marketing Strategy 01 - Get hip to online marketing A business living off referrals is like an employee living check to check. And investing in an aggressive, long term internet marketing strategy is like investing in apple stock. (Read: "long money.") Understand that your website is no longer just your brochure. It's a lead generation tool. It's your brand's 'home base', and it's the crux of what's about to become the highest returning investment you've made this far.

So if you haven't already...

• Learn the basics of search engine optimization.
• Identify the phrases your target audience is using in the search engines to find consulting services in your area of expertise.
• Build quality content around these phrases, and name your page titles and headings appropriately.
• Start acquiring links to these pages.

Tip - Read the SEOmoz blog. Great for beginners and veterans alike.

Consultant Marketing Strategy 02 - Become the resource of choice. What a better way to attract clients than by becoming an online information resource? This concept isn't new in the world of internet marketing, but its importance and benefits are equally applicable to consultants in every industry.

• Write and distribute unique, informative articles where they'll be seen by your target audience.
• Create a presence online by making relevant, thought provoking comments on topically related blogs. he links wont count for much, but your visbility and brand will benefit. If don't have a blog, consider starting one. Promote it aggressively.
• Participate in a select few social media sites. These targeted channels will be topically related to your industry, genre and audience, as well as those that afford an opportunity to distribute quality content that establishes your brand as a thought leader or authoritative source.

Here a few additional marketing tips for consultants:

• Create a profile on LinkedIn.com. Link to your website at every opportunity.
• Register for networking groups at MeetUp.com. Your profile will appear in the search engines for business inquiry related searches.
• And last but not least, tell everyone what you do. Relentless self promotion can be tempered with a sincere desire to simply share what you do; what you love, with others.

Megan Carruth aka BizDevMarketing is an internet marketing consultant in Minneapolis, Mn. You can view her link building tips and tutorials at The Link Kitchen.