More on Roller Coaster Success

When I talk to peers about my new Web Design Consultancy, I often get the same warning. It seems that many people have tried consulting, but simply find it too difficult to maintain a steady stream of clients. The typical pattern seems to be a crushing load of work, followed by nothing for a while, repeat.

Taking this warning to heart, I’ve been systematically building processes and tactics into my business to deal with the problem up-front. Planting seeds of success, doing one thing every day to help bring in future business, is a great discipline. Another tactic I’ve been developing for some time now is fairly unusual for programmers and web-folks.

Talking to people, making friends

I’ve been an active member of Toastmasters Intl for quite a while now, which has been a great way for me to learn to speak to people about business topics with confidence. Now, I am going to be joining the Portland Business Alliance, to take a big step up in my offline business development activities.

I’m really looking forward to this, even if – however unlikely – doing so never directly nets me a new sale. Over and over in my life, I’ve noticed that people tend to earn about the same amount of money as their friends. I think it is a complex feedback system, partly based on whom you choose to be your friend, and partly on “things in common”. I wouldn’t have a lot in common with a welfare family, but I would with a small businessman.

So, in the best Keith Ferrazzi approved way, I will focus on expanding my business networking through friendships and involvement with interesting organizations rather than superficial business-card-exchanging.

Technorati Tags: networking, web-design, portland

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