I have been trying networking but I am guessing that builds up over time just as the word of mouth?
I do get a lot of referrals but most of them, their budget is usually what the person who referred them paid. So, it's a spiral.
100% word of mouth / referrals. When I was just getting started, I just asked my clients if they knew anyone that I might be of service to. They were happy enough with my work that just asking that question a few times kept me busy for years. Try it - it might surprise you!
I've identified a great niche, but have no network to spread the word.
I can hit the road and sell (and have been successfully), but would prefer to be able to focus on my product/consulting with new customers found/managing the new company.
How did you find people to spread the word about your product?
(Especially interested in high-commission options, due to beginning stages/lack of capital.)
I knew a person who seemed to have some success here (but I cannot verify that). She literally visited small business offices, shops etc. to pitch in person. Over time her contacts built up and, like I said, she seemed to be doing well.
I doubt just having a web presence and having people come to you is an option.
My experience has been that word of mouth is by far the best way to win new clients. It's a warm introduction, everyone involved has some social incentives to behave appropriately, and the lead normally has a rough idea of pricing from the person that referred them.
That being said, this isn't advice. It's an admission that being lucky enough to have a few seed clients land in your lap (and taking that opportunity) is the optimal way to start consulting (imo).
I am trying to bootstrap a niche B2B service myself and having much less success getting off the ground. I would love to hear more about how you identify, qualify and communicate with new leads/referrals.
I find my clients by networking and leveraging of successful completed projects. For example, if I just completed a project automating some aspect of a travel agency (yes they still exist). Then we contact all other travel agencies in our area and offer to solve the same problem for them or something similar. If the completed project is in the area of a common business area, e.g. follow-up for contract renewals, then we would look at other industries with a similar issue, pick the most likely one and then call those.
We have tried using sales people and they generally don't know enough about our solutions nor the clients' problems to conduct consultative sales process. And asking for referrals is a key part of the discussions that you conduct with past clients as well as prospects who say "no thanks".
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