Details to Consider
After one or two successful consulting assignments, you should know whether this parttime, self-employed approach meets your needs and whether you want to continue. If so, here are some ideas to make your efforts more productive:
● Set up a home office and a computer to keep track of contacts, billable and nonbillable time, accounting (including taxes), and to provide Internet access for e-mail and web information searches.
● Have stationery and business cards printed, and consider a simple brochure listing your particular areas of expertise.
● Sharpen your public-speaking skills by way of seminars or participation in the local Toastmasters organization.
● Consider joining local professional or fraternal organizations and attend meetings.
● List yourself as a consultant in any directories that are publicly available. Search the Internet for opportunities to promote your services (e.g., http://www.a2zmoonlighter.com).
● As business increases, ask an accountant for assistance with taxes (you might have to file quarterly estimated-tax payments), and consider errors-and-omissions insurance