| One of the best things about being in the | | | | targeted then my other attempts.The reason you |
| Information Technology industry is consulting. For | | | | want to use a postcard is two fold. 1) It's cheaper 2) |
| purposes of this article I'm using the term consulting | | | | Its easy to hang on to. When I used 8 1/2 x 11 |
| in reference to side jobs or moonlighting work. While | | | | paper flyers I only could reach those with an |
| full time Computer Consultants can also benefit from | | | | immediate computer problem. Everyone else simply |
| the tips in this article, I'm really writing at the IT | | | | tossed the ad. The idea it to get them to keep your |
| Employee who works a full-time IT job and then | | | | card 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 earn | | | | You want them calling you not the other guy.BillingOk |
| more working for yourself. Here's a few ideas to get | | | | here's my take on billing and getting paid. Judgment is |
| started. First realize that its now almost impossible to | | | | the key. When you bill a business be sure to add to |
| function these days without a computer in your | | | | your invoice that payment is due upon receipt. Does |
| home. In fact many homes now have 2-3 PC's and | | | | this mean you'll get paid immediately? Nope but if you |
| eventually they are going to break or will need to be | | | | leave it out businesses will assume a Net 30 approach |
| hooked together.Word of Mouth Is KingTo start, get | | | | and pay you 30 days after receipt and that's no |
| yourself some business cards that explain your | | | | good. So put the payment due upon receipt and see |
| services. DO NOT LIST YOUR RATE I made this | | | | what happens. I give them 30 days anyway before |
| rookie mistake and was tied to my lowball rate once | | | | sending a second invoice with a clear notice that this |
| I was more established. So start by spreading the | | | | is a PAST DUE invoice. Most times this clears things |
| word at work. Hopefully your employer is tolerant of | | | | up. Now I should add that I do have some customers |
| this. To know the limits simply ask someone in HR if | | | | that are inconsistent about how long it takes to get |
| the company has a policy regarding work outside of | | | | paid but they do pay and furthermore I LIKE working |
| the job. If not you may be able to post a notice in | | | | for 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 word | | | | place or lets me take stuff home to work on.My |
| among co-workers you trust. Word of mouth is | | | | point 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 computer | | | | terms on the invoice and send reminders every 30 |
| and you just need to get people talking. Once you | | | | days. Now home users are different, you should |
| get an opportunity, provide more service than the | | | | expect them to pay on the spot or very soon after. |
| customer expects. Remember these initial jobs are | | | | Just as the local PC shop expects them to pay |
| seeds so even if you don't make a profit, the | | | | before getting their stuff back you should too. |
| goodwill you earn will keep you working down the | | | | Judgment comes into play here as well. Some will ask |
| road.The golden ring in doing this is to find someone | | | | you to stop by for one thing and then keep you |
| who will recommend you to a small or medium size | | | | longer than expected. DO NOT bring a prepared |
| business that does not have its own IT staff.Why | | | | invoice based on what you believe the charge will be. |
| Businesses? Because its steady work and businesses | | | | It's always better to tell them the cost and then |
| know that time is money. Businesses tend to pay | | | | e-mail them the invoice after you've been paid.Tax |
| on-time, they don't keep junk on their systems, and | | | | TipsIf your serious about an on-going consulting |
| if a job runs over the amount of time you expect | | | | business take the time to set yourself up properly. |
| they are generally willing to keep the clock running so | | | | This will pay dividends in increased revenue and tax |
| long as their systems are fixed. Home clients on the | | | | savings. Assign a room in your house as your home |
| other hand tie the money for the job with the price | | | | office. This will let you deduct any costs related to |
| of the PC. This works against us as PC's become | | | | that office from your earnings as a consultant. There |
| cheaper. Businesses assign a monetary value to their | | | | is no law your business has to make a profit so as |
| time and data so these are easier clients to work | | | | long as you document the expenses you deduct you |
| with. They also view hiring you as just another cost | | | | can do so even if the expenses exceed your |
| of business and will not hesitate to let any employee | | | | earnings. The benefit here is that you get some tax |
| call you in after you gain their trust.AdvertisingI've | | | | savings from your regular paycheck from the loss of |
| tried advertising in newspapers and never found it to | | | | your business. Hopefully your business gets going and |
| pay off. One of the best things I've done besides | | | | earns a profit but until this is the case you may as |
| word of mouth is to use my neighborhood. I put a | | | | well 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 a | | | | utilities, and internet costs proportional to the % of |
| home office. This is another attempt to secure a | | | | square feet your office consumes. I've even heard |
| client whose time is money. From here apply the | | | | that 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 provide | | | | office. I don't recommend stretching anything |
| them with plenty of extra business cards. I once was | | | | however.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 other | | | | know this sounds crazy but if your going to sell your |
| business owner knew the level of my service and | | | | time, why not sell the parts and mark them up 10% |
| went out of my way to ensure his systems worked | | | | so you make more money. I used to require my |
| as well or better once I left. Of course I taped my | | | | clients to purchase items and then call me to install |
| card to each of his servers.A better way than | | | | them. Now I just make sure I trust they'll pay and |
| walking your neighborhood is to obtain a list of the | | | | order the items myself. This lets me increase |
| addresses in your neighborhood and visit and start a | | | | revenue and as long as you keep track of what you |
| mailing campaign. Select the postcard mailing option | | | | charged you simply pay the sales tax at the end of |
| and simply upload your flyer, send them your list of | | | | the year, couldn't be easier.Hopefully those tips will |
| addresses and enter your credit card number. I've | | | | help you start a small business on the side. From |
| found that I can canvass a 300 house neighborhood | | | | there you can grow or shrink the business as you |
| for about $40.00 - $50.00 much cheaper and more | | | | see fit. |