How to Become an Image Consultant in India
Image consulting is comparatively new in India and training schools have only popped up in the last several years. Before that, wedding stylists, finishing schools, Bollywood designers, hairstylists and makeup artists were popular for a super glamorous look.
However, there was a more widespread audience who valued what image consultants had to offer. Skills such as business appearance, presentation, body language, interpersonal communication and business etiquette have a wide appeal in the business and professional world.
As people became more aware of the many applications of image consulting in India, the industry continued to develop and thrive. No matter what career you are in now, you can learn to be an image consultant in India.
What is Image Consulting?
Image consulting is a growing field that helps individuals and companies accomplish their goals by presenting themselves in the best possible way. The specialized techniques of an Image consultant can work in a wide range of sectors and in so many unique situations.
Medical professionals, business managers, salespeople, TV and online personalities, interviewees, college leavers, entry-level employees and anyone in work or life transition are all examples of people who frequently benefit from image consultants.
You Want to Be an Image Consultant?
If you’re considering becoming an image consultant, chances are you have a lot of questions about what it means to be an image consultant and if you have the necessary qualifications to get started in the industry. Learning about image consultants and what they do is a great first step.
While you may have a general idea of what an image consultant means, most people don’t realize that image consultation is more than helping celebrities or influencers look good!
Whatever interests you, there’s likely a niche you can find in a career as an image consultant. Some specialties may include:
- Fashion and personal style
- Body language and presentation skills
- Etiquette and social interactions
- Business communication
- Political image creation
- Personal Image creation
- Personal Branding development
- Leadership skills
These are just a few examples of areas that consultants may specialize in, but the field is so diverse and open to new subsets that the possibilities are endless.
What Does an Image Consultant Do?
If an image consultant is supposed to help clients create a useful and likable persona, then how do they help a client reach her goals? An image consultant uses techniques like presentation skills on-stage and online, voice training and style to highlight who a client genuinely is.
The goal is to not be deceptive or try to reinvent a person. Image consultants take the characteristics clients already have and then showcase them in the best way based on the clients’ goals.
Every client is unique, and an image consultant helps each client embrace and use that uniqueness to succeed.
The ABCDs of an image consultant are:
- Appearance
- Behavior
- Communication
- Digital Presence
These are the main factors that may influence your decision to become an image consultant.
How Common are Image Consultants?
Image consulting is still a relatively new field in India, but it continues to become more popular as people realize the value of personal marketing and how an image consultant can transform a person’s life and ability to succeed.
Are Image Consultants In Demand in India?
This research shows that many of the judgments we have about other people are subconscious. While we don’t always intend to judge other people based on how they present themselves, we automatically make certain assumptions based on appearance. In just a few seconds, we create an impression of people. Therefore, an image consultant can transform how people are seen and perceived in a favorable light.
What Skills and Topics are Most Requested by Corporations?
This aspect of image consulting is particularly relevant for business people. Soft skills training is already important in Indian corporations and image consulting just expands their offerings.
The most popular image training for organizations tends to be:
Executive Presence
Client and Customer service
Networking
Presentations skills on and offline
Public Speaking techniques
Dining Etiquette
Experts estimate that 90% of India could use image consultation to boost their professional and personal goals. That’s a lot of untapped potential!
Who Can Be an Image Consultant?
Most people can become image consultants, but certain traits tend to produce better results. If you like style, social media, psychology, and communication skills, you will likely find a lot to love about being an image consultant. Image consultants should also be sociable, empathetic, and great listeners. If you want to help people transform themselves, being an image consultant could be perfect for you.
What is an Image Consultant’s Salary in India?
An image consultant can do incredibly well, and because the need for experts in this field is increasing, the potential salary becomes greater with each passing day. Even as a beginner, you can make money, depending on how many clients you have and how many hours you are able to invest in your business. However, it does usually take around two to three years to establish yourself and be more secure in this business, so many people have other means of getting income until they are more established and have consistent clients and income coming in.
Hourly rates can range from $50 to $500, so there’s plenty of room for growth and to make image consultation a full-time job.
What Qualifications Do I Need?
You do not need a specific degree to be an image consultant. Marketing or related degrees may be helpful for a career in image consultation, but the best way to get the start you need as an image consultation is a specialized training program, like the training offered here at London Image Institute.
Choose a Training Program
Once you have decided that image consultation is a good fit for you, finding a training program allows you to learn the specific technical skills you need to succeed in the industry. Training programs might also help you get connections that will help you develop your business. Experts can give you tips and tools that you can’t get anywhere else.
Learn Through Work Experience
Getting involved in related industries is a strategy you can use to make connections and get concrete experience to show your expertise. For example, you can work as a personal shopper or in a boutique. Think about the type of clients you want in the future and choose work experience that connects you to those clients and their world.
Join a Professional Organization
Organizations like the Association of Image Consultants International can give you more chances to succeed. They connect you with other professionals, help you continue your education and certification process, and assist you in networking with people in your industry. These organizations also add to your credibility.
Develop Marketing and Entrepreneurial Skills
Whenever you get a chance to improve your business and marketing skills, you can improve your chance of success. Do market research and determine what kind of niches you can fill. You don’t want to copy and paste what other image consultants do. You want to make a career of your own, and to do that, understanding business and marketing help significantly.
Choose the Best to Help You Be the Best
The London Image Institute has the specialization to give budding image consultants the credibility they need. As an Association of Image Consultants International Certified Image Master, London Image Institute is led by image consultants with prestigious accreditation. Only a handful of people have this global accreditation.
Thus, London Image Institute offers the most globally relevant and industry-standard information. The train-the-trainers program allows students to gain skills through practice and corresponding feedback. Get the best training available so that you can start your career off on the right foot; contact us today!