[AccessD] Independent Consulting

...lol ...didn't realize that was still around :)

...Barb ...work on building your references BEFORE you take the leap if at 
all possible ...look for charitable institutions that need help and do it 
for free or nearly so ...but do it as if they were paying your top rate 
...making them ecstatic is the goal ...and understand that it is not their 
reference per se that you are after but that of other business people that 
are inevitably involved in such orgs ...they get to know you and the quality 
of work you do and a lot of them will pass your name on ...I still get calls 
that originated with a children's home I've not worked with in three years 
now.

...tap into accountants and small systems support consultants ...they rarely 
have database skills themselves but they have plenty of clients who have 
constant needs ...if you can get one or more accountants or system guys 
giving you an occasional referral, you'll be earning a living before you 
know it ...chamber of commerce meetings can be productive but I've found 
that hooking into my own client's accountant and systems people is the best 
way to spread your referral base.

...keep your expenses under control ...spend absolutely nothing that you 
don't have to ...you don't need a fancy office or a new computer or a 
half-page ad in the YP ...not unless your private savings or retirement 
check are a lot larger than mine ...and watch the government types, they'll 
kill you with mind numbing crap like fire inspections twice a year in your 
home office at $180 a whack ...the list is endless :(

...buy insurance very carefully if you need it ...a health savings account 
with a very high deductible works best for me but I've so far been fortunate 
to be in good health.

...otoh, if you make it through your first year you may be like me and 
wonder why in the heck you didn't do it 20 years sooner :)

William Hindman

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Harkins" <ssharkins at setel.com>
To: "'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'" 
<accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 6:53 PM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Independent Consulting


> Start here:
>
> http://www.databaseadvisors.com/newsletters/newsletter072001/0107consultantc
> orner.htm
>
> And good luck!
>
> Susan H.
>
> Any advice?  Suggestions on nformational resources about consulting 
> (books,
> websites,etc.)?  How to set a billing rate? Marketing ideas?  Do I need a
> lawyer AND an accountant?  Any 'gotchas' that I should look out for?  This
> is pretty scary for me!
>
>
> -- 
> AccessD mailing list
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> Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
>