Everything you need to know to build and run a successful consulting business from your home.
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own home-based consulting business? There is no better time to do so than now. How to Start a Home-Based Consulting Business gives you all the tools and success strategies you need to launch and grow your business.
Bert Holtje covers everything you need to set yourself up as a home-based consultant, create a demand for your services, and make money. He addresses all aspects of setting up your business, provides indispensable guidance on legal and ethical issues, and shows how to become and stay profitable.
Learn how to:
Develop a marketable idea
Write a business plan
Set up your home office
Draft winning proposals
Sell your services
Get referrals
Set fees
Manage your finances and your time
Market yourself on the Internet
Introduction ix
01 Why Do It? Why Not? 1
Today's Consultant 1
Who Are You, What Can You Do, and Who Needs Your Services? 3
Personality Traits That Make the Difference 5
Employment History That Makes a Difference 9
But Is This the Right Field for You? 11
Frequently Asked Questions 13
02 Where Do You See Yourself in Five, Ten, or Even Twenty Years? 14
How Most People Get Started as Consultants 14
Putting Yourself in the Picture 18
How Hard Are You Willing to Work? 22
The Financial Factors 23
Filling in the Blanks in Your Experience Base 24
Frequently Asked Questions 25
03 When Your Home Is More than Just Where You Live 26
What About the Office Itself? 27
What About the Outside? 29
What's Needed in Every Good Consultant's Home Office 30
Stationery, Business Cards, Letterhead, and Other Printed Material 36
Frequently Asked Questions 37
04 Your Business Plan Is Your Road Map 39
Begin by Defining Your Company 40
The Services You Plan to Offer 41
Your Marketing Plan 42
Your Operating Plan 47
Frequently Asked Questions 52
05 Making Your Move 53
Your Skills and Your Ability to Use Them 54
Basic Skills Needed in All Consulting Situations 60
Working from Home Is Very Different from Working with Others 65
Frequently Asked Questions 66
06 What Are You Worth? 67
The Basic Pricing Formula 68
How to Get Those Competitive Numbers 71
The Many Ways of Charging for Your Services 71
What Expenses Can You Charge to Clients? 76
How to Get Start-Up Capital 77
Frequently Asked Questions 80
07 Managing the Money You Make 82
Finding the Best Accountant for Your Business 82
Finding the Best Bank for Your Business 85
Managing YourCash Flow 88
The Data You Need to Manage Your Company's Money 91
Finding and Working with Venture Capitalists 93
Frequently Asked Questions 95
08 Taxes-Tips and Tactics 96
Taxes and Your Home Office 97
Direct and Indirect Expenses 98
Other Tax Deductions 100
Storing and Retention of Records 103
Frequently Asked Questions 108
09 Is It Legal? 109
Law and a Home Business Start-Up 109
Law and the CYA Factor 115
Finding a Lawyer 117
What Will It Cost? 118
Typical Legal issues 120
Frequently Asked Questions 121
10 Creating Your Marketing Plan 123
Answer These Questions First 124
Putting the Pieces Together 127
The Plan Itself 129
Pitfalls to Avoid 131
Frequently Asked Questions 132
11 Promoting the Practice 134
Positioning Your Business for Maximum Advantage 135
Going for Second Place 137
Naming Your Firm 138
Publicity, Promotion, and Public Relations 139
Successful Implementation of Your PR Campaign 140
Frequently Asked Questions 144
12 Expanding Your Business 145
Growing a Home-Based Business 145
Why Should You Expand Your Business? 148
Growing Your Business with Strategic Alliances 150
Frequently Asked Questions 154
13 How to Sell Your Business 156
Five Steps to the Successful Sale of Your Business 157
How to Overcome the One-Person Handicap 162
Frequently Asked Questions 163
Appendix A Educational Requirements and Sources 165
Appendix B Organizations 167
Appendix C Frequently Asked Questions 169
Index 173
About the Author 179
Overview
Everything you need to know to build and run a successful consulting business from your home.
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own home-based consulting business? There is no better time to do so than now. How to Start a Home-Based Consulting Business gives you all the tools and success strategies you need to launch and grow your business.
Bert Holtje ...