How do private investigators typically acquire clients?

Do they primarily receive clients through law firms or other sources, or do they actively advertise and wait for potential clients to reach out to them?

Before you ask how PIs acquire clients, they need to know the four main pillars of our industry:

1.) Attorneys

2.) Insurance Companies

3.) Corporations

4.) The Public

Private investigators trying to acquire new clients need to market the above four areas by doing the following. #1 is by far the most important, as it has tremendous reach and provides credibility:

1.) Creating a friendly, usable and professional website.

2.) Online marketing through SEO and PPC. Focus on content excellence.

3.) Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. Start with one and proceed slowly.

4.) Contact and approach attorneys at the courthouse involved in civil, criminal and employment law.

5.) After determining who is in charge of their investigative assignment units, contact insurance companies with your agency brochure.

6.) Contact insurance adjusters and corporate security directors. With the directors, let them know you are not there to take their job but to assist with extra workload.

7.) Contact newspapers and magazines about an interview. Offer to do free backgrounds on subjects they may be doing stories on.

8.) Make sure you have a listing on “Google My Business.