So You Want to Become an Image Consultant?
If you have a natural talent to help people with their appearance, etiquette and communication skills, think seriously, because it could become a lucrative and fascinating business for you. It is recommended that you seek training first so that you can hone your talents and learn essential technical skills. Fortunately, image consulting is getting quite popular as the general public, working professionals, politicians, and aspiring celebrities want to make sure that they are projecting the right image. You will be able to help your clients improve their professional and personal presence for job interviews, work advancement or finding a soul mate. Therefore, consulting can be a rewarding profession for you.
What is an Image Consultant?
An image consultant enhances the image of an individual, a brand, or a company. Also known as an image coach or personal branding consultant, the consultant uses communication techniques (verbal and non-verbal), or aesthetic and design techniques such as color and style analysis to enhance the image of clients.
The intervention of a consultant is requested at important times in life. The consultant can intervene and help the client present a certain image for professional credibility, increased empathy or personal impact in life. The primary goal of this profession is to understand the client’s expectations and heed their input on the choice of hairstyle, dress, makeup and approach to get an ideal outcome. The consultation will help strengthen skills, enhance confidence and bring out the client’s best assets.
Image Consulting Certification
You can take courses to become a consultant; after which, you will receive a consulting certification. Upon completing the London Image Institute’s Foundation or Advanced Course, you will receive certification which prepares you also for industry certification by the Association of Image Consultants International. The Foundation course is a 7-Day program which involves skills to critique and help individuals and effectively conduct one-on-one consultations, based on technical knowledge. The Advanced Course involves learning successful methods of training seminars and workshops. The agenda includes personal branding, communication, presentation, seminar design and facilitation, coaching and business development.
Getting Started
After practice to perfect your skills, timing and approach, it is important that you identify one or two target markets, whether they are business entities or individuals. You should also create a marketing plan, which you would revise on a quarterly basis. As your business begins to grow, you can revisit your plan to make sure you are reaching your chosen customer.
A few basic things to get started with individual consultations
- A studio or quiet working area, even if you go to the client’s house for the consultation
- Color analysis starter kit
- Large mirror
- Tape measures and yard or meter stick
- A large window without direct sunlight
- Daylight lamps
How to Attract Clients to Your Image Consulting Business
The Internet is obviously an opportunity to reach new customers by going beyond the geographic limits of your business location. Most importantly, the Internet has changed the way your customers select their service providers. Your customers can now search and get information before reaching out to a service provider. Although we don’t recommend putting fees on the website, it is important to showcase your packages or programs. Prospective clients will be able to compare services and make their “short lists” of companies that could help them solve their problems.
Your website needn’t be a complicated or vastly expensive affair. It’s best to have a well-designed, uncluttered and aesthetically pleasing layout and brand identity because the website is the shop window to your business. You will need to include:
- Branding materials such as your business letterhead with logo and business cards.
Sections on your website clearly marked showing your services with short descriptions and benefits, for individual consultations, seminars and other services you provide. - Photos or a short video of you working with clients and testimonials (all with their permission).
- A personal profile listing the relevant highlights of your career and your consulting experience.
- Two head shots: one looking natural and approachable and another looking professional.
- Easy access to you through a Contact page.
If you find that building an online audience is not as fast as you would like, you could consider adding a product to your list. This is one of the most effective ways to help prospective clients try you out with minimal investment. Products such as a handbook, makeup, skincare, accessories or clothing are great ways to attract people to your site. They can also become healthy profit centers, especially if they are available online or included as part of your consultations. Free webinars are also very popular to attract prospective clients because you will have the opportunity to give out tips and explain how consulting benefits individuals and companies.
Improving Your Chances for Success
You can do other things to improve your chances of acquiring the right clients:
Attend business networking meetings and leads clubs where business cards are exchanged and you have an opportunity to practice your professional introduction.
Network with related business owners such as boutique owners, hairstylists, fashion and head shot photographers, makeup artists, wedding consultants, event planners and caterers.
Write blogs, tip-sheets or articles which will establish you as the expert or specialist in your field.
Offer free mini seminars (30minutes) in a boutique, weight loss center, gym or anywhere that could invite an audience and give you visibility.
Knowing Your Target Audience
The Internet provides leverage for lead generation. You will see faster results this way without yet having a solid business foundation. You would focus on:
1. A customer profile to target
2. A free online webinar with time at the end to invite people to ask questions
3. Easy to understand marketing messages with case studies or success stories.
4. Messages to explain what consultants actually do and most importantly, the benefits.
Listening to Your Customers
One of the most common mistakes is to assume what your market and your ideal customer want. Never imagine that you can create a comprehensive offering that meets that supposed need. Nothing replaces the exchange with the customer. Two of the most essential qualities to have are the ability to listen and have empathy with your potential targeted audience. In other words, you must understand how to best serve them. Be patient with their concerns and never give the impression anything is bad or wrong. Consultants who have a natural talent for relating to clients do best in this business. After all, we have solutions for most image problems such as fit, style and color challenges and we are told repeatedly that our services are life-changing.
A Relationship Business
Consulting is above all a relationship business. A customer who feels listened to and understood is a confident customer who will be able to truly reveal his needs, expectations, and desires. Understanding and listening to your customer means making sure you understand their needs. You will be able to engage the customer by diagnosing his problems or challenges and therefore, meet his specific needs as accurately as possible.
How to Kickstart and Market Your Image Consultancy
Now that you have decided to embark on a career or business as an image consultant, it is time to seek formal training so you can present yourself as a certified expert which differentiates you from many people in and around the industry who have never trained in the technical skills. First, you should identify your specific strengths because this profession is multifaceted with various options. Once you complete training and receive the appropriate certification, you will improve your chances for credibility. Your customers will take you more seriously and it will be easier to develop trust. With advanced training as an image consultant, you will be able to obtain the skills necessary to kickstart and market your image consultant business. If you are ready to get trained to become an image consultant, contact us today for more information.