- 1). Keep your RN license current. Earn at least an RN diploma or associate degree, and have one or more years experience as an RN and a specialty area showing your expertise -- cardiology, emergency medicine or pediatrics, for instance.
- 2). Consider pursuing a legal nurse consultant certification program. Certification is not required, according to the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants; yet many schools offer certification programs for LNCs. It helps validate your expertise and boost your marketability.
- 3). Create a complete business plan. A large investment is not necessary, but you must consider your mission, your income goals, the expenses, how you will support yourself while the consulting business gets established, how you will market your business and more. Envision the end results.
- 4). Decide on the best legal structure. While not required, the National Nurses in Business Association website recommends you incorporate your business. Incorporation protects your personal assets, and you can use small business tax deductions. Consult your accountant or attorney for advice on the best form of business for your practice.
- 5). Set up your office, including a computer with basic software programs.
- 6). Arrange for a dedicated business telephone number with a professional voice mail service for when you are not available.
- 7). Print brochures or flyers, business cards and stationery.
- 8). Decide whether you want a website. If so, purchase your domain name, contract for Internet service and create your website. By all means, optimize your site for search engines. Hire help if websites are not your strength. Tout your strengths with a comparison chart that differentiates you from your competition.
- 9). Utilize email marketing with an opt-in newsletter to keep your expert services in front of your prospects. Start with emails to a block of attorneys -- say 70. Introduce yourself and your services. Have your fee schedule ready. Be prepared for inquiries.
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Tweet, post and mingle via social networking -- a very inexpensive tool for marketing your LNC business. Refine your LinkedIn profile, and join LinkedIn groups within the legal and medical fields. Use the forums to make decision-maker contacts with prospects or their employees and to pose yourself as an expert by answering questions. Create buzz, and drive traffic to your website. - 11
Consider a mass mailing for generating quality inquiries. Target potential clients. Purchase a address list of targeted prospects. Differentiate yourself from your competition with your mailers.
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