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Subject:Re: Marketing Yourself as a Consultant From:"Lurker writer" <lurker_writer -at- hotmail -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 18 May 2001 13:07:27 -0500
Forgive me for not using my real name, Tony, but I can help here.
You're asking about being a "consultant," but then you're asking about a
portfolio and collateral materials, which are more the tools of contractors.
Just so we agree, there is a difference between the two.
You might want to rethink and rewrite your resume (not to hand out, but to
get you thinking like a results-oriented consultant). Instead of listing
responsibilities and tasks, think in terms of accomplishment...and if you
can assign a $$ figure to those achievements, so much the better!
Use that revised resume copy as copy for promotional materials (tri-fold
brochures, home page, etc.). That will help get you started.
I'd recommend several books that will get you off to a quick start:
Making Money in Technical Writing by Peter Kent...excellent resource for
contractors and consultants alike. Peter shares the secret of how you can
make a six-figure income (it's not by charging an hourly rate).
Starting an Editing And Writing Business, by the late, great Herman Holtz,
who was a contributing member of this list.
Check this article by Don LeVie in the September/October 2000 issue of
Intercom, the STC's magazine: "Contracting: Flat fee or Hourly Rates?" Even
though it's aimed at contracting, I think a lot of the information
translates very well into consulting.
Good luck..
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