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[Originally posted by David Mitchell]
Can anyone out there offer any insight on how to get started doing independent consulting?
Obviously there is quite a bit more money to be made by doing independent consulting, but you've got to know how to get the gig first, and a good one at that!
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks.
[Originally posted by m.posseth@work]
it al comes to networking i guess :-(
( and with that i mean not a computer network ! )
:-)
A lot of consultants start off by utilizing sites like elance, guru, or odesk to land their first few gigs. It's really helpful if you have an existing network of business contacts that you could tap into - former employers, friends in business, etc. that might help you network your way to an assignment. Set yourself up with a business website - it's imperative that you have a place to send your potential clients for more information about what you do. You can also use social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn to build an online network and tap into other opportunities that might not be officially posted on the marketplace sites like elance. You should consider working with a portable employer of record - it will make your life easier as far as invoicing and taxes and all that. Some companies will have master service agreements with bigger companies, and it's easier for you to get your foot in the door and land consulting gigs with companies that way.
Moved