Running a Successful Private Investigations Business: Webinar Recap
AIIP hosted a free webinar featuring three renowned private investigators who spoke about their journeys in building and running successful private investigations businesses. The panel consisted of Marcy Phelps of Marcy Phelps & Associates, Michael Donaldson of Vindicatus, and Timothy Hardiman of Viceroy Investigation & Consulting.
Here’s a recap of the panel discussion. If you missed the event, watch the full recording here.
Transitioning from Other Careers
Private investigators come from many different backgrounds: law enforcement, insurance, research, risk management, libraries, security, intelligence, and information services, to name a few. What many of these careers have in common is that they require great skill in gathering, analyzing, and reporting information. Understanding customers and effective communication are also traits that translate well from prior careers.
Thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to help anyone transition to a career as a private investigator. It helps to seek out colleagues who are in a similar situation and associations that can help you start your business. Panelists noted that associations like AIIP are invaluable for helping private investigators understand the business side of investigations.
Finding Clients
While the average person may not need a private investigator on a daily basis, they need to know who you are for when they do. Investigators must be front-of-mind for their audience for when a need arises.
Many investigators focus their marketing on word-of-mouth, referrals, and networking through associations. Make yourself visible by being part of the community and conversations. Focus your efforts on attracting clients rather than chasing them and serve your existing clients well.
Keep an open mind of who could be a potential client. Spend time getting to know your clients and where they go for help. Focus on offering services that help solve problems for others. Who could use your knowledge to make their job easier? What are you clients’ biggest gaps?
Where the Pros Go for Help
Business owners have questions, too. Work on developing a solid network of industry colleagues who have “been there, done that,” to learn from their experience and apply it to your situation.
Associations help you develop a better toolbox, both through the professional development they provide and the people you meet through networking. Groups like your local chamber of commerce or informal networking communities help business professionals share ideas, strategies, and resources.
AIIP is a great resource for private investigation business owners. AIIP offers valuable, ongoing professional development for independent information business owners – a perfect fit for PIs. AIIP has one of the best discussion listservs in the industry, where professionals rely on one another for business guidance and knowledge-sharing. AIIP is unique in that few other associations help you with the “business side” of private investigations.
Blogs, podcasts, webinars, and other industry publications are also great for learning about latest trends and technologies, and expanding your network. Some top PI podcasts and resources mentioned are:
- PI Perspectives
- Investigators-Toolbox.com
- PIs Declassified
- PI Magazine Podcast
- Great Women in Fraud – Kelly Paxton
- How to Rocket Your PI Business Podcast – John Hoda
- The Privacy, Security, & OSINT Show – Michael Bazzell
Learn More & Join
As discussed by the panelists, private investigators must be not only skilled researchers but also savvy business owners. Running a private investigation business takes tenacity, vision, and a strong network.
If you missed the webinar, watch the full recording here.
Want to learn more? Join us by becoming a member today. As a special bonus, join before April 30, 2021 for 20% off your first year of AIIP membership! Use promo code “AIIPWEB0221” when joining.
Edward J. Ajaeb is the founder and president of Nighthawk Strategies based in Washington, D.C. He is a licensed private investigator, intelligence analyst, and national speaker specializing in social media and digital investigations, open source intelligence (OSINT), and security analysis.
