[thelist] Getting started in consulting

[isaac]

> nice people who are also consultants would like to share any words of
> wisdom with me. What has your experience taught you?

As others have suggested, it may have been a better idea to gradually
decrease hours per week at the job serving you with a regular income before
dumping it completely. It may be an option to find a job lecturing in your
field of experience for a day or two per week. That will give you a base
income (however low) to rely on.

Working from home can leave you undisciplined and unproductive. Once you get
going, find a small spot in some kind of collective. The going-to-work
process makes sure you stay on track. My 2-principal business shares space
in a busy area with 6 or so other businesses. In this one room we have a
copywriter, a graphic designer (1 principal, 2 employees),  and two account
directors. In the room next to us is a marketing/PR business (1 principal,
2-3 employees).

We work solo sometimes, and share work on other occasions. Also, we can
pitch for jobs collectively as required. Advantages: flexible, shared
overheads, people around to keep you motivated and happy. Disadvantage: it's
not always easy to find the right mix of people.


Your key to picking up work will be networking.

If you're around 20-30yo, look around for government schemes that help
younger businesses get established. We have one that provides all kinds of
encouragement and legal/financial support, etc. I could write more about
this, but you're better off finding out what's running in your immediate
area.

Make sure everyone knows what you're now doing. Relatives, friends, former
colleagues, etc. Ring around and let them know that you're going out on your
own, what you'll be doing, etc. Catch up in person if appropriate. Go nuts
with business cards -- almost everyone you know could know someone with a
brother or uncle or friend who may require your expertise. If they don't
need you now, they probably will in the future!

Look for opportunities to hook up and build lasting relationships with
companies providing complementary services. My business, as part of its
range of services, provides contract design services to local and US
businesses who specialise in complementary programming. We have had phases
where contracts from a number of companies like this have been the majority
of our incoming work. Advantage: you don't have to sell your services;
someone else is doing it for you. It's also an avenue to pick up work from
another country. Disadvantage: your services can get marked up
astronomically, but just deal with that; you probably wouldn't be getting
the work without this other business in between anyway.

Find opportunities to speak at business breakfasts, or throw an article into
a newsletter for businesses, etc. Government assistance schemes could
possibly help you out here. If there are a number of business associations
in town, offer to speak on a topic at one of them. It might cost you some
preparation and an hour or so speaking, but you will have gained virtually
the entire audience as potential customers who see you as their new advisor
in whatever field you prefer.

Finally, don't blow every dollar as it arrives! Consider leaving it in the
business account, and paying yourself a regular salary. Even if you start as
low as $100/week (remember, you can give yourself a raise whenever the money
and potential work is there), it's good to have a fixed amount that you know
will be there at the end of each week. It's also nice to have a partner with
a fixed, dependable salary too. Getting a house or car loan can be utterly
hellish for anyone self-employed (the banks will make you feel like absolute
trash), but your partner will help you get what you need.


I hope this helps somewhat.


isaac

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triple zero digital | upstairs at 200 the parade, norwood 5067
(08)83320545 | www.triplezero.com.au | isaac at triplezero.com.au