| Finding investigation clients is perhaps one of the | | | | detectives and working detectives alike. First, |
| most difficult ongoing tasks for any professional | | | | never go into business for yourself without having |
| detective to accomplish. Unlike many other facets | | | | a lifeline which will feed you case assignments |
| of building a successful detective agency, client | | | | regularly and steadily. There are many ways to |
| acquisition is not based on experience or talents in | | | | achieve this type of connection, including |
| the investigation arena. Instead, in order to | | | | networking with lawyers, bail bonds companies, |
| succeed long term, detectives need to apply basic | | | | insurance agencies, large corporations and other |
| business principles to their companies, which is | | | | social connections. Investigation is a back door |
| where they may come up on the short end of | | | | pass to almost any industry, but most detectives |
| the proverbial stick. | | | | never figure this out. It is really a matter of who |
| When I first became a private eye back in the | | | | you know, more than what you know when it |
| mid 1990's, I was very involved in target shooting | | | | comes to getting new clients. Therefore, my first |
| and other activities which put me in constant | | | | piece of advice is to take time and assert diligent |
| contact with many retired police officers. I soon | | | | effort to make connections in industries which will |
| discovered that many of these "semi-retirees" left | | | | provide you work. Find ways of rewarding these |
| the force to get the pension, but began related | | | | connections to insure their loyalty and making this |
| careers in professional investigation. Now, I was a | | | | a win/win situation for all involved. |
| trial preparation investigator and received my | | | | Next, it is great to offer generalized investigation |
| work through an agency which was directly linked | | | | services and this is what most clueless detective |
| to law offices and insurance carriers. The | | | | do. They figure, "Why pass up work?" While this |
| overwhelming majority of these former cops | | | | is an admirable attitude, this also leads to |
| were true private detectives courting individual | | | | becoming an expert in nothing and being known |
| clients from the civilian population. This turned out | | | | for nothing... It is far better to specialize in a |
| to be the beginning of some valuable lessons for | | | | particular investigative niche and work your |
| me... | | | | connections within that niche until you are the |
| Talking to many of these former officers, the | | | | "go-to" person at the top of the food chain. If |
| single biggest complaint that they universally | | | | you like infidelity cases, make friends with every |
| voiced was the general lack of available work and | | | | divorce lawyer in town. Go to meetings for |
| overall inconsistency of client assignments. It | | | | recently divorced persons and make friends. |
| seems that despite all their years of police work, | | | | These people will be happy to recommend you to |
| these seasoned pros has basically NO IDEA how | | | | friends who are going through similar situations. If |
| to attract clients, retain clients and market | | | | you desire accident investigation assignments, |
| themselves as private eyes. At the time, I was a | | | | make nice with every personal injury attorney |
| novice investigator and was little help for advice. | | | | (no matter how distasteful that may sound...yuck) |
| However, many years later, I could provide them | | | | and network with EMS crews and insurance |
| with some guidance which may have saved many | | | | carriers. Maybe you have a background in criminal |
| of their businesses from going belly-up. | | | | investigations and can utilize connections with |
| Ok, so let's talk about what it takes to succeed in | | | | active duty police to get your name into the right |
| the private investigation field. Taking adequate | | | | hands. There is truly no end to the possibilities |
| training, learned skills and natural abilities for | | | | here. Just be creative and think outside the box. |
| granted, the single biggest decisive factor for | | | | Finally, it is crucial to utilize the power of the |
| success is the ability to get work. That's it. | | | | internet. More and more people are shopping for |
| Without steady work, there is nothing to do and | | | | goods and services online than any other way. If |
| no money coming in. I can tell you from my past | | | | you can put together a fantastic website, you will |
| experience that this is the most common | | | | be able to get tons of clients without trying too |
| greatest reason why investigation agencies fold. | | | | hard. Remember, once the site is online, it works |
| Many of those previously mentioned former | | | | 24/7 and does not require a salary... Just |
| officers rejoined to force somewhere else, | | | | remember to target the audience of the type of |
| became security guards or even went overseas | | | | work you are offering. Following these rules will |
| looking for military contracting work, since they | | | | get you started on the path to success in the |
| were utter failures as professional detectives. In | | | | investigative arts and will provide a framework to |
| essence, they made no money, despite incredible | | | | build a business based on sound principles rather |
| skill sets... | | | | than hopes and prayers. |
| So, here are some business pointers for would-be | | | | |