This type consulting business is all about helping local business owners realize effective online marketing strategies. You will either be helping them get online for the first time or them improve their existing online presence. This business field goes by many names... 1. SEM Consulting (Search Engine Marketing Consulting) 2. SEO Consulting (Search Engine Optimization Consulting) 3. Offline Consulting 4. Online Marketing Consulting However, they all express one accomplishment - creating profit producing online marketing strategies. What Does It Take to Start a Consulting Business? One of the primary requisites for starting a consulting business is knowledge. Specifically, knowledge of online or Internet marketing tools and methods. No - you don't need to be a 5 to 10 year online marketing expert. You merely need a rudimentary understanding of search engines and web traffic. There are many people who start a consulting business with no more than two months of online experience! Other important requisites for starting a consulting business are focus of attention organization and determination. These qualities that are typically imperative with any business enterprise you seek to embark upon. You can learn a lot more about SEO Consulting by downloading a free guide called "Offline Consultant's Quick Start Guide" from the OfflineConsultant.com website - http://offlineconsultant.com . This very informative guide will provide you with even additional blow-by-blow practical knowledge with regard to starting your consulting business. This guide goes deeper into starting a consulting business and mentions things like web hosting, business structure, general organization and more. You should also visit the Offline Consulting blog for even more information about providing online marketing services to small local businesses - http://offlineconsultant.com/blog . Commercial forecast for Starting a Consulting Business Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, we are in a recessionary period. All the indicators are present - job loss, business slowdowns and general economic malaise. Any business owner will tell you, that during conditions like these, cutting marketing budgets can spell doom for most small businesses. SEO Consulting will allow you to offer smarter, more effective marketing and advertising options. Exactly what businesses need in this type economic climate. SEM Consulting is currently in a growth period. As more business owners begin to understand and appreciate that consumers are flocking online. Two reasons they are coming to the Internet is to find deals from local merchants and save on fuel costs. If you are in fact interested in starting a consulting business, this is an excellent time to do so. The SEM Consulting field is hot and getting hotter by the day. Get your business situated without delay!