How to Build a Successful Computer Consulting Career

Technology plays an important role in boosting productivity and efficiency in the workplace, and its widespread use has created tremendous computer consulting opportunities for individuals with technical skills.

Instructions

1. Locate the market niche that your computer consulting business would best serve. This will be of tremendous help to you when determining where to focus your marketing efforts.

2. Develop a marketing campaign highlighting the key benefits and results your potential customers will realize by using your computer consulting services.

3. Price your services. Doing so effectively will require you to perform a competitive analysis as well as use professional computer consulting resources like the Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) which provides average consulting fees by area of technical expertise.

4. Negotiate the contract. This not only includes the work to be performed and the pricing, but whether the work will be performed onsite or offsite.

5. To expand your business take on speaking engagements with professional computer organizations and seminars. Also, you should look to write articles for technical websites and publications. Doing so will draw a lot of attention that highlights you as an expert in your field, which will be a great help in fueling the growth of your computer consulting business.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to get your contracts validated by your lawyer or CPA.

References

• Getting Started in Computer Consulting; Peter Meyer

Resources

• Independent Computer Consultants Association