How to Start and Grow Your Own Resume Writing Business: The Ultimate Guide

So you want to start a resume writing business? It can be a rewarding career helping others land their dream jobs. However, it does take work to build up a successful resume writing service. You'll need to develop expertise in crafting compelling and results-driven resumes, build a portfolio of your work, market your services, and provide great customer service to keep clients coming back and referring others.

If you have a knack for writing, an eye for detail, and a passion for helping people reach their career goals, starting a resume writing business could be the perfect path for you. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to launching your own resume writing service from the ground up.

The Resume Writing Market

The resume writing industry targets job seekers across all experience levels, from recent college graduates all the way up to senior executives. The market includes both local/independent resume writers as well as large national brands. Services range from basic resume writing for a few hundred dollars up to executive resume packages for $2,000 or more.

While the advent of free resume templates and DIY resume tools has made it easier for some job seekers to write their own resumes, professional resume writers continue to thrive. Many people still prefer to hire an expert to craft a customized, compelling resume that will help them land interviews. Resume writing services are also popular with career changers who want help translating their experience for a new field.

As a resume writer, you can focus on a particular niche like IT professionals, healthcare workers, or executives. You can also offer general resume writing services to job seekers across various roles and experience levels. The key is to establish your expertise and build a portfolio of success stories from happy clients who landed job offers with your help.

Your Resume Writing Service

As a resume writing business, your core product will be professionally written resumes customized for each client. However, you'll want to develop a unique angle to help your service stand out. For example, you could focus on a particular industry like tech or healthcare, or a specific job level such as executives. You might also establish yourself as a career coach and offer additional services like cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile makeovers, and interview prep.

In terms of delivery, you'll interact with clients primarily through phone calls, video chats, and email. After an initial consultation to discuss the client's goals and experience, you'll draft a resume and cover letter for their review and feedback. You'll make any requested revisions until the client is 100% satisfied. You can then provide the final documents as digital files for the client to use and print as needed.

To develop your resume writing skills, stay up-to-date with trends in resume formats and common sections. Study examples of effective resumes for various industries and job types. You'll also need to practice your craft by writing lots of sample resumes from different backgrounds. Get feedback from others in your network or join a professional organization like the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) to help strengthen your expertise. With experience, you'll get better at eliciting the right information from clients and translating their work history into a compelling story.

Economics and Finances

The costs to operate a resume writing business are relatively low. Your primary expenses will be:

•Marketing - This includes your website, business cards, advertising, and networking. You'll want to budget at least $500-$1,000 per month for marketing.

•Education and Training - Invest in resources to strengthen your resume writing and career coaching skills. This may include books, online courses, conference fees, and membership dues. Plan on $500-$2,000 per year.

•Business Licensing and Insurance - Requirements vary by state but may include a business license, liability insurance, and occupational licenses. Budget $500-$1,500 to get properly set up.

•Office Supplies - This includes things like a computer, software, printer, paper, pens, and a phone. If working from home, costs will be minimal. If renting office space, budget at least $500-$1,000.

In terms of pricing, charge at least $150-$500 for an entry-level resume and $500-$2,000 or more for an executive resume. Offer package deals that include a cover letter and LinkedIn profile. You can also charge by the hour for career coaching and consulting services at a rate of $100-$250 per hour.

Many resume writers earn $50,000 per year or more. The key is building up your client base through effective marketing and word-of-mouth referrals. While it may take time to become profitable, a resume writing business can be a rewarding career where you get to help people achieve their career goals.

Marketing Your Resume Writing Business

To build a successful resume writing business, you need to actively market your services. Here are some of the top strategies to employ:

•Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Optimize your website to rank highly in search engines like Google for terms related to your location and services, such as "Atlanta resume writer" or "executive resume services." Focus on your page titles, content, and meta descriptions.

•Social Media - Build a presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to raise awareness of your business. Post updates about your services, share tips for job seekers, and engage with your followers. Also network with local career coaches and recruiters.

•Direct Outreach - Contact local career centers, colleges, recruiters, and HR managers to introduce your services. Offer to give presentations on resume best practices or provide brochures for them to share with clients and candidates.

•Advertising - Run ads on Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn to increase visibility and drive traffic to your website. You can also advertise in local publications like newspapers, radio, career websites, and alumni magazines.

•Networking - Join your local chamber of commerce and attend networking events. Introduce yourself to other business owners and hand out your business cards. Look for opportunities to build partnerships or cross-promote with related businesses like career coaches, staffing agencies, and outplacement firms.

•Referral Programs - Offer discounts or free services for clients who refer new customers. This incentivizes people to spread the word about your business to their friends, family, and colleagues.

•Direct Mail - Send brochures, postcards, and letters to promote your services to local job seekers. Target neighborhoods with a high concentration of your desired clients. Offer a first-time discount to encourage people to try your services.

Sales Strategies and Processes

To sell your resume writing services, you need to convince clients of your value and expertise. Here are some effective sales strategies:

•Free initial consultation - Offer a free 30-minute phone call to discuss the client's needs and goals. This allows you to build rapport, assess if you can help them, and provide an overview of your services and fees. About 50-70% of prospects who do an initial call will end up hiring you.

•Share your success stories - On your website, in your marketing materials, and during the initial call, provide examples of clients you have helped land new jobs. Discuss the challenges they faced and how you were able to craft a resume that led to interviews and job offers.

•Discuss your experience and credentials - Highlight your experience as a resume writer and career coach. Mention any certifications or credentials you have earned. Clients want to know they are working with an expert.

•Offer a money-back guarantee - To ease any concerns about the investment, offer a guarantee that if a client is not 100% satisfied with your services or does not land more interviews within a certain timeframe, you will refund their money or provide additional services at no cost. The guarantee shows your confidence in your abilities.

•Provide options at different price points - Have clearly outlined packages at various price levels so clients can choose what is most appropriate for their needs and budget. Offer add-on services to provide more value.

•Close the sale - Once you have provided the information about your services, ask the client if they would like to move forward with your help in revising their resume. Mention any current discounts or promotions you are offering. Be prepared to discuss packages and pricing in more detail so you can finalize the sale.

•Collect testimonials - Ask happy clients to provide a written testimonial about their experience working with you. Feature these testimonials prominently on your website and in other marketing materials. New clients will see the positive experiences others have had with your services.

Operations and Execution

To execute a successful resume writing business, you need efficient processes and systems in place. Here are some key areas of operations to focus on:

•Client Onboarding - Have a standard process for onboarding new clients including a checklist of information to gather about their work history, education, skills, and career goals. Use an intake form to collect all details upfront before the initial consultation call.

•Project Management - Set clear timelines for each step of the resume writing process and communicate these timeframes to your clients. Have a system to keep track of all ongoing projects so you meet every deadline. Let clients know if there are any delays as soon as possible.

•Quality Control - Develop a checklist or rubric to evaluate each resume draft before sending to a client. Check for any errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Ensure all sections are in the proper order and format. Get feedback from a colleague or mentor if possible.

•Revisions - Have a policy in place for how many rounds of revisions are included for each service package. Be very clear in communicating the revision policy to clients before they purchase. Handle all requested revisions promptly and efficiently within the allowed timeframe.

•Payments and Billing - Accept payments through a variety of options including credit cards, bank transfers, and checks. Send invoices for any services in advance with clear payment terms. Follow up on any late or past due invoices to avoid issues with client accounts.

•Reviews and Referrals - Ask happy clients to leave reviews on sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp to build social proof and trust. Make it easy for clients to refer friends and colleagues by providing referral cards or setting up an automated referral program.

•Continuous Improvement - Regularly solicit feedback from clients about your services to determine areas of improvement. Stay up-to-date with trends in resume writing and career coaching. Pursue ongoing education and training to strengthen your skills. Refine your processes and offerings over time based on client feedback and lessons learned.

Legal Considerations

Before launching your resume writing business, research the legal requirements to operate in your city and state. You will likely need a business license or permit to run a business from home or a commercial office space. Check with your local government office for details on obtaining proper licensing and zoning requirements.

You should also consider professional liability insurance to protect yourself in the event of any errors or omissions. While less likely in a resume writing business, liability insurance provides coverage for legal defense and settlement costs.

Some states require resume writers and career coaches to obtain an occupational license or certification. The Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) offers a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) credential. Requirements vary but usually involve passing an exam, having a certain amount of experience, and agreeing to abide by a code of ethics.

Stay up-to-date with laws around data privacy, consumer protection, and employment. For example, be very careful not to collect or share private client details without proper consent. You must also avoid making any false claims or misleading statements about your services in your marketing materials.

When in doubt, check with legal counsel regarding any regulations that apply to your resume writing business. It is best to be fully informed of your legal responsibilities to avoid potential issues down the road. With the proper licenses, insurance, and certifications in place, you will have peace of mind in knowing your business meets important compliance standards.

Launch Your Own Resume Writing Business

Starting a resume writing business can be an incredibly rewarding career choice if you have a passion for helping people achieve their career goals. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can establish yourself as an expert resume writer, build a portfolio of happy clients, and grow a successful business. Market your services, focus on quality and customer service, streamline your operations, and keep up with all legal requirements. With hard work and dedication, you can turn your skills and experience into a thriving resume writing practice.