Once you have established the knowledge and resources to embark on your freelance career, the next logical step is to build your client base. The first and easiest step is to try word of mouth. Spread awareness of your services through your family and peer group. Some freelance consultants are able to work off word of mouth referrals with great success. Consider advertising locally through online boards like Craigslist, offering a Groupon or Living Social deal for new clients, or posting flyers at coffee shops. Offer initial services at reduced rates or in package deals to capture interest. You may have success piggybacking off the clientele of other established businesses by recruiting from their customers. Known as a host-beneficiary relationship, you can offer a buy-one-get-one hour free specials with some local businesses as well.

To maintain a steady flow of business, consider ways to track your success rate. A college admissions counselor would track the success rate among individual students or by specific schools. Similarly, leverage your customers' success in landing new roles or embarking on new journeys, along with their satisfaction rates. This will build a solid platform you can use to find new business. Outside of your own marketing efforts, always ask your clients for leads. They may know of friends or family that are in need of guidance. It's also not a bad idea to try connecting with local higher education institutions. They may have some career services offices that can refer students to your business.

At the end of the day, finding the right career matters. A majority of working professionals spend most of their waking hours every week at work and helping others determine what they want to do most for a career can be a particularly rewarding occupation. Becoming a career development trainer may be a great option if you have the right knowledge, education, and experience. With a little hard work to establish your practice, knowing that your passion is to help others identify what they would like to do for a living is the perfect place to start to a fulfilling career.