I’ve been speaking to a few consultants who have recently set up businesses for themselves and I am amazed at how they seem to struggle to find clients. It seems that patch development amongst many recruitment consultants is something for other people.

Surely these consultants get shown the basics? It seems not. One such consultant was amazed when I showed him the applegate directory for technical companies, surely the bread and butter directory for any consultant?

So just in case those of you that are reading this blog are in anyway as backwards as these guys with regards developing new business patches and relationships I will give you the 3 most basic methods of finding new clients.

1. CV’s

THE most important client location method for me, especially when developing new business. Simply run through the CV’s of your candidates. See all those companies named there? Guess what, they employ people. Even better by looking at the skill sets the candidate used there you will know the sort of person they recruit, and what previous companies might be useful. As most CV’s will have at least 2 companies on them and contractors could even have as many as 20+ they are perfect for our uses.

Make sure you strip EVERY CV you register on your system and I can guarantee that you will add a huge amount of new clients to your database within a month. When I am not desperate for new business this can often be the only patch development method I use.

2. Directories.

Every niche has directories devoted to them, whether the aforementioned applegate (which includes numerous sub niches), kellysearch and many others, they can be a vital mine of company information.

Usually the details the directories will include are such vital things as website, email address, telephone number and main areas of business. Why pass up websites that have done all your work for you? Take as much as possible for yourself, its information that is there to be used.

3. Job Boards

This one is often over used by consultants so beware of making this a vital part of your new business strategy.

Many companies advertise on job boards directly and so you are able to see what they are recruiting for easily, as well as contact information etc. Other times look at adverts placed by other consultants, if you have strong market knowledge within your niche (a target EVERY consultant should be setting him/herself) then you may well be able to work out who the client is by the information and location given.

Now of course there are many other methods, but at the very least you should be using these basic, but very major, sources to find new business and new clients. It amazes me that any consultant is able to do his/her job without knowing these systems.