Winning new business?
Discussion
I've been a bit of an entrepreneur for a while, and done a spot of contracting on and off with ex employers. All my entrepreneurial stuff tends to be web-related and doesn't require a lot of outside or 3rd party involvement and is B2C so I maybe don't have as big a network of potential customers for my B2B contracting/consulting skills as I'd like.
What do you find is your best methods for winning new business as an independent consultant/contractor? I'm not looking to apply for a contractor job via an agency, but more looking for ways to provide my skillset as a service.
For what it's worth, my speciality is in database support, with a focus on MySQL but also MS SQL and Oracle and, to a lesser extent DB2.
I guess the nub of the question is, how does a techie who's not a salesman, become a salesman?
What do you find is your best methods for winning new business as an independent consultant/contractor? I'm not looking to apply for a contractor job via an agency, but more looking for ways to provide my skillset as a service.
For what it's worth, my speciality is in database support, with a focus on MySQL but also MS SQL and Oracle and, to a lesser extent DB2.
I guess the nub of the question is, how does a techie who's not a salesman, become a salesman?
What are you selling, and who are you selling it to?
From your OP, I would describe your product as specific technical skills for specific outcomes, delivered by you. So your customers are the recruiters, and you need to sell to them, either by contacting them, sparkling up your CV, or lowering your rate
Direct contracts aside, there's not a lot of point in smarketing directly to businesses, unless you change the game, and sell them a service, DBA on Demand with a retainer?
From your OP, I would describe your product as specific technical skills for specific outcomes, delivered by you. So your customers are the recruiters, and you need to sell to them, either by contacting them, sparkling up your CV, or lowering your rate
Direct contracts aside, there's not a lot of point in smarketing directly to businesses, unless you change the game, and sell them a service, DBA on Demand with a retainer?
randlemarcus said:
What are you selling, and who are you selling it to?
DBA on Demand with a retainer?
This, pretty much.DBA on Demand with a retainer?
I've worked on this basis as an employee with a previous firm who provided that as a service. I know they have a perception, now, of being expensive and inflexible and that's where I hope to provide a more cost effective and flexible solution. I've got a few DBA contacts who would be happy to work on an ad-hoc basis so I can provide more than just a one-man-band on-call service.
It's just the getting out there, cold calling? making the initial sales contacts that I'm inexperienced with, knowing who to speak to or even if the company I'm intending on speaking to uses the technologies we support
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff