Marketing yourself

[NBInvestigations]

Hi All,

Just wondered how successful you were when marketing yourself to lawyers and other bigger established investigation companies? Did you get leads?

Do you do a email mailshot asking to be an approved provider?

I am recently licensed here in Tasmania and wanting a foot in the door. So I am exploring all possibilities. Any other ideas from you experienced guys?

Nigel

[BigGeorge]

Hi Nigel

Although it was a long, long time ago when I was marketing my services, I can tell you I called each and every insurer and most major solicitors in Sydney (which is where I was). I pulled whatever con was necessary to get to speak to the claims manager and then asked for an in. I'd get myself invited to submit my CV. I made sure to always get the name of the claims manager even if occasionally I couldn't get to speak to him.

A week after posting the CV, I would call to make sure he read my CV and to discuss my objective. Nine out of ten would say the usual, we'll put it on file (bin it) etc. I'd show my appreciation, make sure to let him know I am very keen and I would call again. A week later I did and I made a nuisance of myself with many of them, but I made the point to them that I would continue my calls until they give me a job (a case) to do. Of course my language was friendly and lighthearted so no one would take offence. After some weeks of hard work and a zillion phone calls and dozens of letters, I got a break. I was kind of like "come and pick up a job because I am getting sick and tired of you".

Within a few more weeks I was able to stop marketing myself and for as long as I stayed in the business, work was coming in by the truck load from most major insurers and large lawyer firms. (a bit immodest there

The point is, you have to be persistent. You have to be confident, be nice and direct. And speak Plain English!

Emails usually go into the junk folder. Easy to do. Everyone emails asking for work. Only a few call and speak. Only through conversation can you make an impression on a client. And then when the letter is sent, it has to be impeccable English.

That's my experience, anyway.
 

BG

P.S. as for PI agencies I would presume one can take the same approach.

P.S.S. something I used a lot was: "you might not realise it yet, but you need me, you really need an investigator that you can rely on, one that won't cheat you on the invoice, one that knows how to investigate and do it without upsetting people. I am ready for you to give me a go so you can find out just how much you need me". I admit, it depends on your personality. Some people couldn't get away with that

[NBInvestigations]

Thank BG for your reply.

As you state you have to be confident, this is where myself and other newbies may fall down I guess. I have no experience in investigating/surveillance. My experience is in the security industry. It seems most other PI companies are seeking experienced people, bit hard when no one will give you a "in".

But on your advice I took the bull by it's horns and rang a local PI company. I got the impression from him, that they have alot of budding PI's come to them, but end up not be able to read/write properly, he asked several times how my english/grammer was. And that time and effort has to be put into a newbie.
Anyway, he asked for an introduction letter and my resume..so watch this space I guess.

NB

[BigGeorge]

Nigel,

Good to see you had a go.

We all know the "we need someone with experience" reply, but how do you get experience if no one will give you a go.

Improvise.

As an investigator you will have to think on your feet, put on a good show, look confident (even if you are not).

Successful investigation outcome is 50% skills and 50% making the right impression. Keep in mind that those on the outside watching you don't know half as much as you do, so they'll assume you're an expert as long as you look like an expert. That in itself will give you confidence.

After a while you gain the skills.

Don't think about how little you know, but think about how much you do know.

))

BG

P.S. Ensuring perfect spelling and grammar equates with making the right impression.

[Dizzi]

Hi Nigel
I am an HR manager & employ people every day so hopefully will be able to give you a few helpful pointers. Big George gave you some great advice & there's a couple of tips I'd like to add;
Often getting the job comes down to being in the right place at the right time, nothing more than that so keep going back to maximize your chances of being there when that moment comes.
Be organized, have copies of all the relevant documents with you ready to hand them a full copy instantly (nothing annoys me more than having to make photocopies of this stuff when I'm trying to conduct the interview). Have the originals as well with you so they can look at them but leave the copies for them to keep.
Make your introduction letter a knockout, it increases the chance the rest of the resume will be read.
Deliver the resume in person to the place you are applying & be dressed for the role you are applying for so that they can visualize you in that role & see that you would fit.
If you don't get past the receptionist, be really nice & respectful, they usually report back what the applicant was like.
Pay attention to detail when you are there, see if you can identify a problem the prospective employer might be having & come up with a solution offer. Just be careful not to give the impression you are criticizing them. If your idea for the solution appeals then it just might be that ticket in the door.
My last tip would be to remember that resumes have a short shelf-life... Keep reapplying if you haven't heard back in a month. Assume it's been binned and send another one with a refreshed cover letter.
Good luck.  :wink:

[NBInvestigations]

Hi Dizzi,

Thanks for your reply. It does seem persistence is the key.

I have completed a couple of training shifts with a company here in Tasmania, which was to basically see if I like the work, and for the boss to get feedback on me from the other worker. I really enjoyed it. On two separate days we were vehicle and foot following, and I even managed to get some good footage.

But at the moment it's a catch 22 situation because this company mainly does insurance work, and here in Tas they stipulate that they require the investigators to of held their licence for 3 years. So I am currently waiting for the company to get some private work in...sooo frustrating.

Just thought of some advice for other newbies coming through...3 p's..Persistance-Patience-Punctuation!..

[Peter111]

Hello Nigel,

A book I found useful that fills in some gaps I had with my marketing is called The Private Investigator's Instant Success Secrets by Martin Day.

We have this book in stock which can be shipped the same day as ordered via the following website link.

http://www.pjlinvestigations.com.au/shopping_details.pi-406.html

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Peter Lynch
Director
Lynch Investigations & Countermeasures Pty Ltd

Website: http://www.pjlinvestigations.com.au
Email: peterlynch@pjlinvestigations.com.au
Telephone: 0417260650