Advice for getting freelance IT consulting jobs?

Question

Just wondering if anyone had any advice on how to get IT consulting jobs/clients? I would be looking to target small business in my local area.

Also, does having certifations (e.g. MCSE) help attain clients

Any other advice welcome.

Thanks Sean

Answer 1

Attaining clients can be tough. I would suggest that it's nearly all human factors and, to a smaller amount, your performance that will determine your successes.

Some strategies that you might consider:

• Network at your local user groups. The people there are not competition, but rather 'ins' to the local supply of customers.
• Find that one client
• Lean on that client's testimonials
• Ask each customer to pass your name/card/website to at least one of their peers.
• Always be marketing using people and technologies

People and customers will prefer someone who can serve their needs and provide the value over someone who's largest attribute is a certificate. Please don't take this as a slam on the certifications.

With those local businesses in your area, sound pavement pounding would probably do the trick. Show those potential customers that you aren't afraid to show your face and talk about their needs. Find them at social events, knock on doors, and get on their radar somehow. Advertising (website, classifieds, flyers, word of mouth) is important, but isn't enough on its own. Show them that you care about their core business and are willing to help reduce costs or provide efficiencies to those who provide the value.

Answer 2

I know some likeable idiots who are never out of work, I know some introverted geniuses who work for free half the time.

It's 75% people skills and 25% tech skills, not the other way around.

Answer 3

The best advice (other than the advice given) would be, "Don't bury the client in technical jargon."

I'll never forget a meeting a sat in with a client one time while the senior programmer went on and on using "$10.00 words" when a "$2.00 word" would have done just fine. In the end the CEO looked at me and said simply, "Translation?"

I smiled and said, "Its kinda like your VCR, when you plug it in it blinks 12:00 until you set the time, right? Well, Imagine a program that detected that and set the time for you automatically. Obviously its more complex than that but essentially that's what he's talking about. Only we're talking about __ and __ instead of VCRs and time."

The CEO smiled, looked at his senior programmer and said, "Now why couldn't YOU say it that way?"

Never forget who is signing your paycheck. In the long run, people typically don't like to pay for anything they can't understand.

Answer 4

1. Take a class in small business management. Most small business fail because the owner knows the business but not business.

2. Get a good accountant.

3. Business plan. Know how much you need to bill to pay all expenses plus salary (accountant can help).

4. Have enough money saved for 6 mths living expenses.

5. Have at least one client that will be a long term client.

6. Go for it!

Answer 5

Small business is death for anyone who wants to make a living doing IT. People will literally pay more for the guy laying down carpeting than the person doing stuff with their computers.

Also, the types of problems that most small businesses have are pretty braindead things to deal with. Networking (aka "talking to people") is essential. Stay away from the rinky-dink places and focus on potential clients that have actual money to spend.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Try Google's new local business (http://www.google.com/local/add/analyticsSplashPage?gl=US&hl=en-US). Free to put yourself there and should be good if you focus on local business.

Answer 7

Computer Consulting Business Tips may have a few other tips and ideas for some freelance IT jobs.