Growing your business
Training
- Invest in training to stay abreast of recent technological advancements. Do not expect your clients to train you in new technologies. This could jeopardize your independent contractor status. Additionally, training courses and workshops can be excellent networking opportunities.
- Read industry periodicals to stay current with trends and events. A knowledgeable and well-read consultant has an easier time of making conversation and establishing credibility than one who merely codes all day.
Marketing
Owning a successful business requires constant marketing. Review the tips under Marketing Yourself. Even after you are established, marketing skills remain critical to maintaining an ongoing income stream and the long-term viability of your business.
- Consider joining the local Chamber of Commerce for additional networking functions. Call Directory Assistance or do a search on the web to find the one in your area.
- Become a speaker at professional association meetings. Participate on committees of the organizations you belong to. Becoming a recognized, public, visible expert with something to offer will leverage your marketing efforts. Your reputation will become a valuable marketing tool. As you expand your circle of influence, you increase the chance of benefiting from indirect referrals where people recommend you to someone else without any additional effort on your part.
- Utilize resources for entrepreneurs such as:
- SCORE
SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- SBA
Small Business Administration
- Entrepreneurial Center
The Entrepreneurial Center is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Cisco Systems, the City of San Jose, and a number of national corporations and non-profit organizations.
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