5 Things You Need to Start a Baby Sleep Consulting Business Online
Deciding to start a new business is exciting, scary, and challenging, all at once. Starting your own baby sleep consulting business is no different. Wanting to help families improve their quality of sleep is huge! But so is making sure you’re starting your business off on the right foot and that you’re taking all the steps to be a success. Are you ready? Here are 5 things you need to kick your business into drive and be a success!
1. Certification First!
Don’t even think about starting a baby sleep consulting business if you’re not going to get your certification. You wouldn’t become a lawyer without going to school, right? Same rules apply here.
But not all sleep consulting certification courses are created equal. Some are cheap programs that make big promises. They don’t offer qualified instructions or have people available to answer your questions. They may not even have a course syllabus!
Bottom line, look for a certified pediatric sleep consultant course that has professional teachers who are knowledgeable in their field and offers valuable up-to-date information. Read reviews and see if the program you’re considering has a track record of success and satisfied students.
2. The Business Basics
Once you have your certification, it’s time to set up your business. While this may seem tedious, it’s necessary. You’ll need to first decide on a name. After this step, it’s time to set up an LLC. While this may seem a little overwhelming, it’s not that difficult and will benefit you in the long run. Having an LLC protects your home or savings if there’s a legal issue or debt down the road. Speaking of protection, you’re going to want to get insurance. This is just smart when you’re dealing with families and health issues like sleep.
Besides all of the legal stuff, you’re going to want to invest in tools that are going to make your life easier. Setting up different files on your computer for different clients and their sleep plans will help keep you organized, so will scheduling tools like Calendly to keep all of your appointments on track. These are simple, and often free ways to help get your business moving on the right path.
3. Be Committed
You have to be all-in when it comes to your new baby sleep consulting business. Having the proper certification is the first step and setting up your business plan is important, but if you’re not committed, you’re doing all of that work for nothing.
If you are truly committed, you have to first decide if you’re going to take this on part or full-time. Either way, be ready to devote the proper time needed to take care of your clients. If you’re not fully committed, your clients will be able to tell. When they do, they’re going to find someone else who takes their business seriously and is dedicated to helping them develop healthy sleep patterns. Remember, they were most likely struggling for a while before reaching out to you so they’re ready to commit. Be sure you are too.
4. Have a Marketing & Business Plan
What are your goals, target market, and pricing strategy? All of these elements are going to be a part of your business plan. Having a clear idea of where you’re going to steer your new baby consulting business is key to staying focused and being successful.
Your marketing plan these days has to include an online presence. Everyone Googles or uses social media to search for services. Develop a professional website to show off your services as well as your education. As you build your business, you can add testimonials that showcase your awesome work. Having a website not only helps people find you but also makes you look more credible. So, when it comes to your website, don’t skimp out. If you’re not tech-savvy, hire someone who is. You’ll thank me later.
Besides your website, use social media, because guess what? This is the cheapest advertising you’ll get because it’s FREE and if it’s free, it’s for me! You can not only share information about your business but also include helpful hints and engage with your audience. People like it when they feel as though they know who they will be working with. After all, you’re going to be helping the people who are most important in their lives, their children.
5. Know Your Worth
While you don’t want to set your rates so high that you don’t draw customers, you also don’t want to sell yourself short. If you’re the cheapest sleep consultant out there, clients may wonder why, and this could damage your credibility. Do your research about what certified and respected sleep consultants charge and find a comfortable spot in that range. Don’t forget, as you gain experience, you can raise your rates.
FAQ About Starting a Baby Sleep Consulting Business
How can I get clients for my new baby sleep consulting business?
Market yourself on social media and start talking up your business. There’s always someone who knows someone who can benefit from your services. Once you have a couple of clients, work hard to do a good job so that you can get referrals and use their positive experiences as testimonials on your new website.
Can I make money with my baby sleep consulting business?
Yes! How much depends on whether you’re doing this full or part-time. Part-time sleep consultants typically make between $1,000 and $4,000 a month, depending on the number of clients. Full-time sleep consultants can earn anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000 a month.
What is the best way to manage my client relationships?
Start off by setting clear expectations so your clients know what to expect when working with you. Also, be open to communication and talk to them regularly. You need to communicate if you’re going to be able to provide ongoing support and build the necessary trust to have a successful business.
If you’re ready to do what it takes to start your baby sleep consulting business check out the IPSP Sleep Consultant Certification Program so you can get certified and start working!
