How to Manage a Small Business
As an independent professional, your job involves it all—from running errands and scheduling meetings to engaging with new clients and attending networking events. All of these responsibilities can quickly overshadow your work-life balance. To avoid burnout, stay on top of your workload, and keep your clients happy, consider teaming up with another independent contractor. Working with another professional…
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As an independent professional, growing your consulting business by securing new projects with top clients requires networking, marketing, and salesmanship. But here’s some good news on that front: Today, you may not have to hustle as much as you have in the past. That’s because online marketplaces for independent professionals offer an easier way to keep your project pipeline full.…
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Well-rounded, highly-developed soft skills can be invaluable to business success. While soft skills can at times be more difficult to develop than hard skills—more quantifiable attributes such as web design, accounting, or editing experience—they are arguably equally important in running a successful business. What are Soft Skills? Soft skills, often called people skills or emotional…
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Now a practice relegated to specific industries, apprenticeships were once the norm in the business and professional world. Internships, which have largely taken their place, are designed for the purpose of exposing an aspiring professional to their chosen industry. Yet internships often lack the aspects of personal connection and tutelage so important to an apprentice…
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When working with a new client or starting a new project, it can be dangerous to assume that everything is clear and that everyone is on the same page with regard to expectations. However, when it becomes apparent that your client’s expectations don’t align with your own, both the project and your relationship can be…
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Clients are a crucial part of your business success as an independent professional. Without clients, you would have no work, and therefore no income. Sounds like you should work with as many people as possible, right? Not so fast. There are two reasons why having too many clients can be a problem. 1. Taking on…
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It’s a feeling most working adults have experienced at some point in their lives: the career that was once exciting and invigorating has become a source of exhaustion, apathy, or even dread. While this can happen to anyone, independent professionals can be particularly prone to burnout due to their fast-paced, demanding schedules. Keep these four…
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Client referrals and recommendations are a great marketing tool for independent professionals. Testimonials give your business credibility and are particularly helpful for prospective clients who may be considering your services. What other people say about your work is an important part of their decision-making process—testimonials often are the main driver of purchasing decisions. So, once…
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Keeping your skills and knowledge current is important to remain competitive as an independent professional. As the workforce landscape continues to evolve, your skills will need to do so as well. By forming these abilities now, you won’t be caught off guard by future needs and requests from clients. Here are 10 skills for the…
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Some of the biggest perks of independent work are freedom from corporate nine-to-five days and the ability to create your own schedule. Without a set routine, however, time management can be challenging as a self-employed professional. Here are five tips to help you efficiently manage your time while still maintaining the freedom of setting your…
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