How to Grow a Small Business
The life of an independent professional is one of continuous learning. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, there are seemingly endless opportunities to expand your knowledge. Whether you’re looking to deepen your industry expertise, optimize the way you run your business, or simply pick up a new hobby, the ability to choose what you…
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For independent professionals, building an international clientele is a great way to expand your business and broaden your expertise. However, there are several basic things to consider before beginning work with an international client that will help prevent minor glitches from turning into major problems. 1. Time Zones Working across time zones can pose challenges when trying…
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When thinking of personality traits that make a successful independent consultant, “outgoing,” “social,” or “extroverted” may come to mind. While those who enjoy networking and interacting with others may be at an advantage when it comes to self-promotion or meeting new people, it that doesn’t mean that a natural introvert—or a shy extrovert—can’t succeed as an…
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Client referrals and recommendations can go far in lending credibility and trust to your business. Think back to the last time you made a big purchase. How did you choose a particular product or brand? While a good marketing strategy can help draw in potential clients, these prospects will likely look for customer reviews next. Testimonials are important because…
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3 Simple Steps to Finding Your Ideal Bill Rate Transcript: Today, we’ll learn a simple method for setting your bill rate as an independent consultant. Your bill rate is the amount you or a company charges per hour of work… before taxes, fees and discounts. The process of finding your cost-based rate is simple.…
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Starting a new business means taking on many new responsibilities, including administrative duties. As an independent consultant, you’ve likely chosen a field or industry in which you have experience and expertise. While much of your time and energy is spent doing focusing on specific projects for your clients, there’s a fair amount of administrative work that…
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Independent consultants are often drawn to their career path because of the ability to work when and where they like, enjoy complete control over their work, and help their business reach its full potential. However, many independents who realize success will find that at a certain point taking their business to the next level will require more resources and…
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The life of the self-employed “road warrior” has many twists and turns. How one navigates the travel-heavy lifestyle is not just a skill, but a necessity. In this post, we highlight some of the best ways to lighten your baggage—both physical and emotional—in your business travels. Footing the Bill As an independent consultant, you have…
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What is a business framework? As an independent consultant, clients ultimately hire you to solve a problem or pain point. Frameworks are useful tools that help you analyze the issue, structure your thinking and communicate recommendations. Business frameworks can help you articulate goals with strong business writing and develop a blueprint for success. You can…
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