Getting Started In Information Technology Computer Consulting

One of the best things about being in thetargeted then my other attempts.The reason you
Information Technology industry is consulting. Forwant to use a postcard is two fold. 1) It's cheaper 2)
purposes of this article I'm using the term consultingIts easy to hang on to. When I used 8 1/2 x 11
in reference to side jobs or moonlighting work. Whilepaper flyers I only could reach those with an
full time Computer Consultants can also benefit fromimmediate computer problem. Everyone else simply
the tips in this article, I'm really writing at the ITtossed the ad. The idea it to get them to keep your
Employee who works a full-time IT job and thencard for later so offer an incentive to this. Give them
takes extra jobs for extra money on the side.So$10.00 off their first job or offer a free consultation.
your working your regular job and you want to earnYou want them calling you not the other guy.BillingOk
more working for yourself. Here's a few ideas to gethere's my take on billing and getting paid. Judgment is
started. First realize that its now almost impossible tothe key. When you bill a business be sure to add to
function these days without a computer in youryour invoice that payment is due upon receipt. Does
home. In fact many homes now have 2-3 PC's andthis mean you'll get paid immediately? Nope but if you
eventually they are going to break or will need to beleave it out businesses will assume a Net 30 approach
hooked together.Word of Mouth Is KingTo start, getand pay you 30 days after receipt and that's no
yourself some business cards that explain yourgood. So put the payment due upon receipt and see
services. DO NOT LIST YOUR RATE I made thiswhat happens. I give them 30 days anyway before
rookie mistake and was tied to my lowball rate oncesending a second invoice with a clear notice that this
I was more established. So start by spreading theis a PAST DUE invoice. Most times this clears things
word at work. Hopefully your employer is tolerant ofup. Now I should add that I do have some customers
this. To know the limits simply ask someone in HR ifthat are inconsistent about how long it takes to get
the company has a policy regarding work outside ofpaid but they do pay and furthermore I LIKE working
the job. If not you may be able to post a notice infor them. Maybe they are the type that doesn't
the lunchroom or company classified ad board.watch over my shoulder or gives me the key to the
However if this is not an option just spread the wordplace or lets me take stuff home to work on.My
among co-workers you trust. Word of mouth ispoint is you be the judge where the hassle is worth
always the best way to bring in new business.the delay if this occurs. Most important spell out your
Everyone knows someone with a broken computerterms on the invoice and send reminders every 30
and you just need to get people talking. Once youdays. Now home users are different, you should
get an opportunity, provide more service than theexpect them to pay on the spot or very soon after.
customer expects. Remember these initial jobs areJust as the local PC shop expects them to pay
seeds so even if you don't make a profit, thebefore getting their stuff back you should too.
goodwill you earn will keep you working down theJudgment comes into play here as well. Some will ask
road.The golden ring in doing this is to find someoneyou to stop by for one thing and then keep you
who will recommend you to a small or medium sizelonger than expected. DO NOT bring a prepared
business that does not have its own IT staff.Whyinvoice based on what you believe the charge will be.
Businesses? Because its steady work and businessesIt's always better to tell them the cost and then
know that time is money. Businesses tend to paye-mail them the invoice after you've been paid.Tax
on-time, they don't keep junk on their systems, andTipsIf your serious about an on-going consulting
if a job runs over the amount of time you expectbusiness take the time to set yourself up properly.
they are generally willing to keep the clock running soThis will pay dividends in increased revenue and tax
long as their systems are fixed. Home clients on thesavings. Assign a room in your house as your home
other hand tie the money for the job with the priceoffice. This will let you deduct any costs related to
of the PC. This works against us as PC's becomethat office from your earnings as a consultant. There
cheaper. Businesses assign a monetary value to theiris no law your business has to make a profit so as
time and data so these are easier clients to worklong as you document the expenses you deduct you
with. They also view hiring you as just another costcan do so even if the expenses exceed your
of business and will not hesitate to let any employeeearnings. The benefit here is that you get some tax
call you in after you gain their trust.AdvertisingI'vesavings from your regular paycheck from the loss of
tried advertising in newspapers and never found it toyour business. Hopefully your business gets going and
pay off. One of the best things I've done besidesearns a profit but until this is the case you may as
word of mouth is to use my neighborhood. I put awell do what you can to save money. A few
flyer in each newspaper box advertising my services.examples of things you can deduct are the insurance,
The target here is the person who works out of autilities, and internet costs proportional to the % of
home office. This is another attempt to secure asquare feet your office consumes. I've even heard
client whose time is money. From here apply thethat technically you can deduct dog related expenses
same principle of outperforming their expectations.if you can prove the dog also guards the home
Let them know you appreciate referrals and provideoffice. I don't recommend stretching anything
them with plenty of extra business cards. I once washowever.Sales TaxGet yourself established as a
hired to separate two businesses during a purchase.business in your state so you can charge sales tax. I
While one half was my client I made sure the otherknow this sounds crazy but if your going to sell your
business owner knew the level of my service andtime, why not sell the parts and mark them up 10%
went out of my way to ensure his systems workedso you make more money. I used to require my
as well or better once I left. Of course I taped myclients to purchase items and then call me to install
card to each of his servers.A better way thanthem. Now I just make sure I trust they'll pay and
walking your neighborhood is to obtain a list of theorder the items myself. This lets me increase
addresses in your neighborhood and visit and start arevenue and as long as you keep track of what you
mailing campaign. Select the postcard mailing optioncharged you simply pay the sales tax at the end of
and simply upload your flyer, send them your list ofthe year, couldn't be easier.Hopefully those tips will
addresses and enter your credit card number. I'vehelp you start a small business on the side. From
found that I can canvass a 300 house neighborhoodthere you can grow or shrink the business as you
for about $40.00 - $50.00 much cheaper and moresee fit.