Ramit Sethi and Patrick McKenzie on Getting Your First Consulting Client

[When starting out: instead of doing free work, offer a limited free or discounted sample and propose that if the results are excellent that we discuss paying the full rate.]

[Public/private distinctions are a natural fit for offering things for free.]

[Understand the words that people use to describe their problems, then repeat their words back to them.]

[If you can empathize with the client, you will be more likely to be chosen than someone who has more technical skill.]

[If his life's work is men's clothes, you can bet he likes to talk about men's clothes.]

[If your first question is how much does it cost…]