So You Want To Be A Consultant

Stephen Friedl writes "I've been a self-employed consultant for almost 20 years - I still have my first customer! - and I'm asked often about the business by those who are considering it. It's not for everybody, and there are often surprises, so I've written up a Tech Tip that recounts my experiences and provides advice for the n00b. Executive summary: It's much more about customer service than it is about technical skill."

Comments

Resume Placement

[Anonymous Coward]

I've been a self-employed consultant for almost 20 years, and I'd like to place a sales pitch for my services on Slashdot. What is Roland paying you?

I've been a self-employed consultant

[Fuzzums]

"I've been a self-employed consultant for almost 20 years - I still have my first customer!"

Parents... :D

Re:One of the most debased professions...

[grazzy]

What do you mean, three months.. i had it printed on my card first day at work.

The horses says hello btw.

the main tools you need

[Anonymous Coward]

All I needed to get started was this and this.

And maybe make one of these with Stinger, Antivir, and Ad-aware to clean trojans and virii.

Of course, service is the key to this. I make house calls and often spend an extra hour of non-billable time explaining things. Since I am in California I charge $75 an hour to wealthy clients and $45 an hour for the non-wealthy.

Been there, done that

[Linker3000]

Stephen Friedl fell at the first fence by writing up his experience and making it free to all. I am a **TRUE** consultant see:

If you want *my* insight into the industry and how to work it, I can arrange a coaching session or formal meeting together with comprehensive notes and a presentation - here are my rates...