Dating consultants, also called dating coaches, advise people who are unlucky in love, helping them develop interpersonal skills that will lead them to finding a better match. These consultants can work in person, solely online or a combination of both. The bottom line for a dating consultant is the desire to help people improve their lives and experience dating success that's eluded them in the past.

Education and Training

You don't need a particular education or certification to be a dating consultant. However, having a relevant college degree such as social work or psychology, training as a therapist or taking a certification course can make you more attractive to potential clients and give you the skills to become successful faster. For example, the International Dating Coach Association offers a dating coach certification. Not only do you learn how to be more effective in helping your clients, but you also learn the fundamentals for running your own coaching business.

Choose the Consulting Method That's Right for You

When you start your business as a dating consultant, you'll first have to consider what types of services to offer. For example, Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, authors of the popular book "The Rules," suggest that dating consultants offer phone consultations, e-mail consultations or "quick questions," which are priced lower. Phone sessions can be either a one-time consultation or set up at a recurring rate, such as a one-hour consultation every week. You can also offer more extensive services, such as two-hour weekly in-person meetings or "wingman" consultations where the coach hangs out with the client at dating scenes, such as night clubs, wine tastings or coffee shops. The coach observes his client's actions in real-life and offers advice and tips.

Market Your Dating Coach Business

Of course, you have to get the word out about the consulting services that you're offering. Dating coaches have the unique opportunity of gathering an audience by offering dating tips online. You can start a blog where people write you for advice and you answer questions and offer general dating tips. Set up a website with information about your pricing structure and success stories where you've helped people find love, even if those people are family and friends. You can also join a dating coaches association and get listed on their directory.

Find Additional Ways to Make Money

It can take a while to get your dating consulting business off the ground and find clients who are ready to pay you for your advice. So to help get the ball rolling, consider selling other resources that customers can purchase to get quick dating advice and tips. If they buy your products, they may eventually hire you for your consulting services, too. For example, you can offer webinars, books and e-books and even "boot camp" weekends where you coach groups for a lower price per person.