Identify a name for your practice and create a practice logo

Your company name and logo will help you make an initial impression with clients, vendors and partners. You can simply use your name, or you can use this as an opportunity to create a new unique brand. Either way, it is important to take the time to think about how you want to be perceived as a consultant and to carefully lay out your name and logo.

You can check for existing company registrations through the Companies Registration Office and for existing trademarks through the Irish Patents Office.  You should supplement these checks with internet searches.

It’s important to have standardised formatting for your company correspondence, as it will communicate your brand image and promote a sense of professionalism and consistency to clients, vendors and partners.

Please refer to the Market a Practice guide for additional information on developing a marketing strategy.

There are a number of alternatives, free and paid, to develop a website for your practice. Depending on your level of comfort and experience with web-based applications and coding, you can choose to create a website yourself or outsource this to a specialist.

Popular free or low-cost website creation and management tools include WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and Moonfruit. Complete professional website design and management services are provided by many companies locally and internationally.

Regardless of how you create your website, it is important to have a registered domain name. This makes it easy for existing and potential clients to find your company online and provides an element of professionalism to your web presence.

Domain names can be purchased through companies such as GoDaddy or Blacknight, or in conjunction with your chosen website creation tool or service.

Social media is a popular way of engaging with potential clients, vendors, partners and the general public. It can be used to carefully communicate key messages about your company and services to a wide audience.

The most popular social media channels today include LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

You should approach social media in a diligent way, and a basic social media plan can help to guide your social media presence and communicate messages effectively.

Please refer to the Market a Practice guide for additional information on developing a social media plan.

Certifications for yourself as a consultant or for your practice can help differentiate you from competing independent consultants and established firms. As a member of IMCA, you may already hold the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) accreditation, or be on track to receive this designation in a few years. The CMC is administered by the IMCA on behalf of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes.

For more information about the CMC accreditation, click here.

As a member of the IMCA, you’ve already taken a step in the right direction! Professional associations are made up of individuals who share an interest in a particular field and joining one may provide benefits including continuing education and opportunities to network with other professionals in your field.

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