PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS FROM THE BUSINESS END 102

You’re a newly licensed PI, and now you’re looking for clients.  Of course you get nice business cards and letterhead done (Hint:  Use good bonded paper and have it done by a professional printer).  Start reading books and articles about running a small business.  Read up on marketing and advertising.  Join one of your state’s professional investigative associations.  Attend their meetings and networking with experienced investigators.  Most are only too willing to help out a new person in the field.  Join the association’s List Serve. It’s an invaluable way to gain knowledge and also to ask questions about issues that com up in your work.  Attend your association's seminars.  You will not only learn a great deal, but it's another way to network with other investigators.  When starting out and things are slow, try to gain sub-contract work from a reputable, experience PI.   Once you’ve established your work with them, ask them if they wouldn’t mind helping you learn the business end of the work.  I was fortunate after I retired to have two PIs mentor me.  One is flamboyant, colorful, larger than life, and the best business mind I know in this field.  He is also a very under rated investigator.  The other runs a large firm and has an extremely professional operation.  Both were very generous of their time in teaching me the business end of private investigations.  Lastly, have ethics in this business.  When someone helps you as a mentor, don’t be a dog and then turn around and try to steal their clients.