Seagal Investigations

Oddly enough I regularly get asked where my business comes from... "Yes of course I will tell you, here is the list of all my customers and the details of all the hard effort I have put in to get the business..."

Yeah, exactly!

I am not implying that I would not help or assist a fellow colleague or potential PI to get off on the right start but my personal opinion is this...

Should you really be attempting to start a business (Yes it is a business not a hobby) if you have no idea where to start?

Being a PI is all about research, hours spent searching, looking, asking and so on. However, to start a business and try and do a short cut is going to end in tears. Start as you mean to go on.

So you want to be a PI... or you have become a PI! Now do what you should be good at and research potential clients, research competitors to get the "edge", learn new skills to add to your CV and so on.

Here is some very basic general pointers...

1) Get off your bum!

2) If you got off your bum you should be on your way to the many solicitors in your area armed with a nice shirt, trousers and tie, along with a folder detailing your services, prices and rates etc. This has to be a good start for anyone. Don't be fooled into thinking everyone you walk into and speak with will a) give you the time of day or b) take you on as their preferred agent (unless of course you have some magic tricks up yoru sleeve!!! - if you have, let me know!

3) Forget Email campaigns - the hit rate is so low for the amount of work and money involved, it simply out weighs the return.

4) Write a letter - a good one! and distribute it to potential clients, not just solicitors

5) Get a bloody good website made up, if you haven't got one email me and I can help enquries@seagalinvestigations.co.uk

6) Patience - As with any business you have to expect at least 2 years before your business is running at its full potential.

7) Don't waste your money. Advertising is a great thing but spend your budget wisely. Target areas specifically for the business. It is far better to advertise in a legal publication that it is in a woman's mag for example!

8) Try and be diverse and offer as many services as you feel comfortable with. If you don't have the skills make use of the networks and sub the work out and take a cut or finders fee, you never know when that client may come back!

9) Find out what the local competition are doing in your area (this should have been 1st port of call) bit late now though. What are they offering that you aren't? Why are people using them? is their website better? and so on.

10) Be professional - At all times!

Ask anyone in business and they will tell you the same thing - with any business it takes time, patience, effort, motivation, effort, hard work, effort - you get the picture...!

Work will not come to you, believe me, you are only ever going to be as successful as YOU want to be or are capable of. If no one know's you are a PI then no one will contact you. Get yourself listed on every free business directory, forum, networking site and so on that you can think of or find on Google. Its a start!

One thing you need to ask yourself is "Am I cut out for this?"

Some people fall at the first hurdle, others fall but get up and carry on, by the time they are half way round the course they are clearing those jumps and then its just a case of getting across the finish line...

Your best source of information is here... on ELG. Get your head down and read as many of the posts as you can, not just the one's you "think" are relevant, but try and read through most of the sections... believe me you will learn a hell of a lot!!!

Good luck.