Going Solo 25: Networking is an Essential Skill for Thriving as a Solo Consultant

Becoming a successful solo consultant requires more than just expertise in your field. Developing a robust professional network is an essential skill for solo consultants to be successful.

Embarking on a journey as a solo consultant requires the mastery of certain essential skills. This article is designed to help you understand and cultivate one of these essential skills for thriving as a solo consultant — networking.

We will delve into how to effectively build relationships within your professional network, which is crucial in securing experienced resources. This advice is not just for young professionals but anyone considering this career option or seeking specific advice to improve their consultancy practice.

🕸️ Developing a Professional Network

As a solo consultant, it’s crucial to build and maintain strong professional relationships. Maintaining a strong network of professional connections is essential for solo consultants, not only to acquire new business opportunities but also to stay informed about the latest industry news.

Building Your Network: The first step towards developing your network is identifying who should be in it. Look for influential professionals in your field, like industry leaders, fellow consultants, and potential clients. Attend networking events, join online forums related to your industry, or participate in LinkedIn groups to meet these individuals.

Maintaining Relationships: Maintaining relationships with those in your network is essential, just as much as constructing them initially. Regularly engage with their content on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter by liking or commenting on their posts.

Staying Connected Virtually: In today’s digital world, where remote work has become more common than ever virtual networking plays an essential role too. You can use tools like Zoom for video calls or Slack for instant messaging to stay connected with your contacts regularly.

The Power of Face-to-Face Interaction: No matter the advancements in technology, face-to-face communication is always paramount for developing solid relationships. So make sure you take time out of your busy schedule every now and then for coffee meetings or lunches with key members of your network whenever possible.

Leveraging Your Network Effectively: Your professional network isn’t just there so that you have someone to talk shop with over lunch, it’s a valuable resource that can help boost both the quality and quantity of projects coming into the pipeline if leveraged effectively. You could ask members of your network if they know anyone looking for services similar to what you offer — referrals from trusted sources often carry more weight than cold outreach efforts.

Key Takeaway: Developing a professional network is essential for solo consultants to find clients and stay updated on industry trends. Building relationships with influential professionals, maintaining connections through virtual and face-to-face interactions, and leveraging the network effectively can lead to more projects and valuable information.

🏃Potential Action Steps:

• Make a list of 25 industry professionals you’d like to connect with. Include former colleagues, leaders at companies you admire, and fellow consultants.
• Join relevant industry professional organisations, attend relevant upcoming events and set a goal to meet 5 new contacts.
• Schedule catchups with 2–3 established consultants to pick their brains over coffee.
• Create or review your profile on LinkedIn, and identify and follow key companies and professionals in your field.
• Block time in your calendar to regularly engage with your network by commenting on social media, sending messages, and scheduling meetups.