How to Market a Small Business

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Start a Small Business
| 3 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

There is a lot of planning and preparation required to start your own business. One of the most important steps of this process is creating a business plan. Below, we review eight steps to help you create a simple business plan as you begin your small business. 1. Outline Your Offerings Focus your initial business…

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Market a Small Business
| 3 MIN READ

How to Develop a Website Strategy to Meet Your Goals

Five website strategy tips to gain real results from your personal site.

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

The Weekly Independent: July 19, 2021

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Digital nomads…

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Contracts and Finance
| 4 MIN READ

Filing Independent Contractor Taxes: 4 Best Practices

Filing taxes as an independent contractor can be a tricky road to navigate. When you work as an employee, your employer is required to withhold federal income tax as well as Social Security and Medicare taxes from your payroll check, but as an independent you’re on the hook to do this yourself. When you work…

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Grow a Small Business
| 3 MIN READ

5 Upselling Tips for Consultants to Generate More Revenue

How to upsell your services as an independent professional.

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

The Weekly Independent: July 12, 2021

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Contracts and Finance
| 3 MIN READ

How Do 1099 Contractors Get Paid?

There are a few different ways you can get paid working as an independent contractor. Typically, you will get paid either by the project or by the hour—this is determined by your bill rate and the written contract you establish with your client. 1. Hourly Payment Most independent contractors prefer to set an hourly-based bill…

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Market a Small Business
| 2 MIN READ

5 Ways to Promote Your Consulting Business on Social Media

Social media marketing can produce big results for small businesses. From Facebook and Instagram to Twitter and LinkedIn, there’s a lot you can do to promote your services. The good news for independent contractors is that social media doesn’t require the marketing budget of a large corporation. Use social media to effectively promote your business by…

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Manage a Small Business
| 3 MIN READ

How to Stay Productive and Avoid the Summer Slow-Down

It’s not unusual for business to slow down during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Clients are likely enjoying vacation or waiting for the fall to begin their next big project. If you’re not prepared for this downtime, your daily routine and finances may be caught off guard. But just because business…

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

The Weekly Independent: July 6, 2021

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Start a Small Business
| 2 MIN READ

10 Self Employment Myths

Why is self-employment appealing? Being your own boss, working when and where you like, and turning your passion into a career are just a few of the perks. But people are often hesitant to make the leap due to concerns about job security, experience level needed, or income potential. However, many of these fears lack…

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Grow a Small Business
| 4 MIN READ

How to Get Government Contracts as a Consultant: 3 Steps

Have you ever wondered how to work with the government as an independent contractor? The federal government engages more contractors than any other organization in the world, which presents many opportunities for independents. Each year, billions of dollars in contracts are set aside for small businesses, women, minorities, and veterans. Many independent consultants look to…

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Manage a Small Business
| 5 MIN READ

5 Ways Your Spending Habits Hinder Success as an Independent Consultant

Thinking back to my early corporate days at Accenture, I recall a time when a colleague and I wrote a business case asking the company to sponsor us to attend a Women’s Leadership Conference. The cost of the conference was $275. Accenture approved it. Looking back, I laugh at myself. I probably invested $1000+ in…

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Manage a Small Business
| 3 MIN READ

4 Learning Agility Skills that Will Help You Succeed

Apply the four key components of learning agility to continually grow and improve your business.

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Case Studies
| 3 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

CASE STUDY Vertical: Professional Services | Type: Direct Sourcing The modern workforce of many enterprises is composed of a mix of full-time, temporary, and contingent labor. In particular, independent contractors offer organizations highly-skilled expertise and the flexibility to grow and shrink their workforce as project needs arise. Most companies that engage independent contractors understand the…

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Misclassification & Compliance
| 3 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

Worker misclassification will always be an inherent risk when engaging independent contractors. Businesses today must decide how to handle differing worker classification laws from federal, state, and local government agencies. Because laws and regulations that dictate worker classification and use of independent contractors are ambiguous and frequently change, legal compliance is challenging. That said, companies…

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

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Workforce Management
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes and adaptations to the way we work. Many organizations are allowing for remote working arrangements and as reopening continues, companies are adjusting how they manage their workforces moving forward. Companies that already rely on independent talent as an integral part of their workforce are likely reaping the rewards…

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Workforce Management
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

Our current workforce demands a broad talent management plan that integrates a dynamic mix of temporary and full-time workers. A key component of this talent management plan is integrating independent professionals into contemporary workforce programs. Technology is leading the charge in this shift. Traditionally, workforce programs focused on independent talent are managed either in-house or…

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

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Workforce Management
| 3 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

Read these smart and effective tips for successfully managing independent professionals. These tips focus on effective communication and defining measurements for program management.

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

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Workforce Management
| 3 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

The independent workforce is a growing and vital source of talent for many enterprises. Independent contractors provide access to in-demand skills without adding to company payroll, they offer staffing flexibility, and can help companies minimize employment costs. But as more organizations become aware of these benefits, competition for top independent talent is growing. The best…

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Misclassification & Compliance
| 3 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

As the independent workforce continues to grow, so do the issues of worker compliance and misclassification. It is important for enterprises to remain informed about the latest laws, regulations, and developments surrounding these topics. Each month, we’ll bring you the latest news stories from around the web. 1. Highly-Skilled Directional Driller Was Independent Contractor In…

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

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Workforce Management
| 3 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

One of the many effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the workplace is the growth and acceptance of remote work. In fact, our research finds that 4.8 million independents currently describe themselves as digital nomads: workers who have chosen to embrace a location-independent, technology-enabled lifestyle that enables them to travel and work remotely, anywhere…

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Weekly Independent
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

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Workforce Management
| 2 MIN READ

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

Businesses are working to adapt to the changing realities and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the many new ways they are able to reach corporate goals is involves engaging and re-engaging top independent professional talent. MBO Partners’ Client of Choice research examines why and how independent professionals select the clients they choose…