How to Become an Online Consultant Posted: 05 Nov 2020 04:00 PM PST Becoming an online consultant can be a thrilling career change, but the experience can also be a little scary. If you're an expert in your field and you want the flexibility of being your own boss and operating online, this career transition is probably well worth the initial stress. Establishing yourself and building up a strong client base take some time, but putting in the work and staying focused will pay off in the end. [Edit]Leveraging Your Experience and Skills - Choose a specific consulting field that you're knowledgeable in. To be a successful consultant, you need to be highly skilled in a specific industry or possess expert-level knowledge on a specific topic.[1] You can be a consultant in pretty much any field as long as you have the expertise! For example, if you have years of experience working as a professional accountant, you could easily transition into an accounting consultant position. Consider fields like:
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Communications
- Computer Programming
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Taxes[2]
- Zero in on a specific niche within your field. Working within a niche sets you apart from other consultants. Also, marketing is easier if you have a specific skill that people in your industry need or if you can solve a specific problem that many industry professionals experience. For instance, a management consultant might focus on helping businesses with a single process, like inventory management.[3]
- An accounting consultant could focus on a specific area like helping other accountants establish private services online.
- If you have years of top-level experience as a project manager, zero in on a niche within the field, like strategy or operations.[4]
- A software professional with expert-level knowledge of a certain software type can be a consultant for that.[5]
- Use any business-related strengths and skills to boost your resume. Certain types of skills are useful no matter what industry or niche you work in. For example, great communication skills are always a plus, especially if you plan to work with businesses and corporations.[6] Other top-notch business strengths:
- Project management skills: The ability to execute a successful project is crucial.
- Business analyst skills: The ability to break down a business model and provide an analytical summary is extremely valuable.
- Strong Excel/PowerPoint skills: Most businesses and corporations use these programs regularly, so it's important to be proficient in both.
- Lean on self-discipline skills like time management to get rolling. Since you'll be working alone, the early days of your business might feel a bit isolating, especially if you're used to working in an office atmosphere. Being able to manage your time efficiently and stay focused without a boss telling you what to do are crucial skills for a small business owner.[7] You should also be able to:
- Get and stay organized
- Create and stick to a daily schedule
- Set short-term and long-term goals[8]
- Get any certifications you need to operate as a consultant in your field. Getting a certification or license may be necessary in your field, but even if it isn't a certification program can be an excellent way to build in-demand skills that will directly prepare you to do the work in your new career.[9] A certification or license can also help you stand out from your competitors.[10]
- Career boot camps are another great way to learn new skills.[11]
- To outshine your competitors, take the time to get certifications even if they aren't required. For example, if you're a fund-raising consultant, register with the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.
- If you aren't sure where to find information about certifications in your field, check out executive education courses at nearby universities, or look into special programs offered by professionals in the field.[12]
[Edit]Establishing an Online Business - Create a professional-looking website for your consulting business. All of your business will be generated and conducted online, so your online presence is crucial! Your business website doesn't have to be flashy or fancy, but it does need to convey information clearly, look professional, and be user-friendly.[13] To create a website, you can:
- Pay a web designer to create one for you. Keep it simple! You can always upgrade your website in the future once you're established.
- Use tools like Wordpress or Squarespace to build a simple website on your own.
- Check out the websites of other people who are doing the same thing as you. You can even reach out to them for networking or even informational interviews.[14]
- List your credentials on your website so clients know what you can do. You can't sell yourself in person, so your website needs to do the heavy lifting for you. Prospective clients should be able to see your credentials on your website immediately. Just listing credentials without elaborating in any way may not get you very far, though! Relay credentials in a way that grabs attention and instills a sense of confidence in your work.[15]
- For example, if you want to be a human resources consultant, don't say: "25 years of experience and BA in human resources management." Try something engaging like: "I have a bachelor's degree in human resources and 25 years of first-hand experience working in the industry. I've handled every HR issue imaginable and will help you navigate any company scenario with ease."
- Don't try to cover everything you've ever accomplished—focus on the key roles and accomplishments in your career that prove you have what it takes to excel in this role.[16]
- Be clear and upfront about your fees and pricing options. First, find out how much your competitors charge for their services so you can price competitively. Then, create a list of your expenses to make sure your rates can cover your expenses. Once you have those figures to work with, decide if you want to charge by the hour, by project, or on retainer. Post this information clearly on your website.[17]
- Hourly fee: Decide on an annual salary and work out how much per hour you'd charge to make that salary assuming you work 2,000 hours per year. Then, double or triple that hourly rate for your fee. For example, a $100,000 salary works out to $50 per hour for 2,000 hours of work. Charge $100 or $150 per hour so expenses are covered.[18]
- Project rate: A fixed amount to complete a specific project within a certain time period. Use the formula for calculating an hourly rate and multiply that number by the estimated number of hours for each project. Since projects will take different amounts of time, direct clients to get in touch directly to finalize the fee. However, if you expect to work on standard projects that take about the same amount of time, you could post pricing estimates for those.
- Retainer basis: A set monthly fee for an agreed-upon number of hours. Use the formula for calculating hourly rate and multiply that by the number of hours you're working for them monthly. A retainer is a guaranteed monthly income, which is great, but your clients may ask you not to work with their competitors, essentially limiting your clientele. In that case, you may need to adjust the monthly rate. For example, you might charge a defense contractor $5,000 per month to access your expertise on how to sell their goods to the military. Your client won't want you to give that same advice to their competitors, so the amount you charge needs to take into account the exclusivity you're offering them.
- Set up social media accounts for your business and actively use them. A social media presence establishes a baseline of credibility for your consulting business. The social media platforms you choose to use may depend on the type of consulting you do, but try to at least establish a business page on Facebook. Blogging on LinkedIn is another simple option that can lend your business some credibility.[19]
- Be sure to include contact information and a link to your website on all of your social media profiles.
- Use social media as a way to engage with your target audience and get these people to your website rather than directly selling your services.
- Register your consulting business if your state requires it. Some states may require you to register as a professional consultant before you can start doing business.[20] You may also need to obtain a federal or state tax ID and some sort of business license, depending on your industry. Go to your state's website for more information and follow any requirements so you're operating legally.
- Learn how to file your business taxes correctly. Taxes can be time-consuming and confusing for a small business owner. Consider hiring a tax professional to help you, at least for the first year, so you can learn the correct process for your state and industry. Also, keep in mind that you can write off most expenses as business expenses! For example, write off expenses like:
- Any televisions, laptops, tablets, and cell phones used for business purposes.
- Office space (even if you work out of your own home).
- Health insurance.
- Office supplies like pens, pencils, notebooks, printer paper, tape, and so on.[21]
[Edit]Finding Clients - Take on volunteer clients to start building a collection of testimonials. Testimonials, referrals, and recommendations from respected people in your industry are as good as gold for a consultant. Take on a few clients and work for free in exchange for experience, positive testimonials, and future referrals. Post these testimonials on your website and be sure to tell prospective clients who to go to for first-hand accounts of your skills.[22]
- For instance, you can start by offering your services to your friends. This is a great way to get practice and experience in a low-stress environment.[23]
- Unless you're working for a friend or someone you trust, set some limits for the free services you offer so you won't be taken advantage of. For example, put limits on project complexity or length.
- It's fine to start this as a side hustle while you're still working at your full time job. Even if you can only spend an hour a week on your consulting business at first, you have to start somewhere![24]
- Use previous clients and colleagues to generate new leads. When you're first starting out, many of your clients will come from your previous career. You might reach out to former clients who you had a good rapport with or use previous colleagues as references. Maintain good relationships so you can count on these people in the future.[25]
- For example, ask former clients for testimonials to post on your website.
- Share your consulting plans with longtime colleagues who appreciate your work so they can recommend you to people who need your services.[26]
- After you finish a project with a client, stay in touch! If they loved your work, they may recommend you to others.[27]
- Check out online freelance platforms to connect with new clients. Freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork can help you find new clients from all over the world. Create a profile and list the consulting services you offer so potential clients can find you. You can also search the platform's database for clients looking to hire someone with your specific skillset and contact them to apply.[28]
- Freelancing is a great way to develop new skills and build a portfolio of experience that you can use to get your dream job or start your own full-time business.[29]
- These platforms usually take a percentage of your earnings for each project, so be sure to research a marketplace thoroughly before signing up.
- Consulting mobile apps like Clarity may also be a good fit for you.
- Use email marketing tools to reach out to potential customers. You don't want to simply build a network of contacts—it's also important to actively communicate with them via email to help you drum up new clients. Emails blasts are a simple way to reach a large audience on a regular basis, and email marketing tools can simplify the process and help you stay organized.[30]
- For example, check out email marketing tools like MailChimp.
- Advertise your services in industry trade journals and magazines. You want to market your services to business owners and professionals in your industry, so advertising in these publications can get your information in front of the right people. This may also lend credibility to your business since these are trusted publications. If you aren't sure what ad copy to create, start by checking out what your competitors' ads look like.[31]
- For example, a fund-raising consultant could place ads in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Non-Profit Times, and Fund Raising Weekly.
- This kind of advertising can be pricey, so be sure to ask about advertising rates before jumping into anything.
- Register with a consultancy organization for more visibility. Many businesses turn to organizations like the Institute of Consulting or Interim Management Association (IMA) when they're looking for consultant services, especially for short-term contracts and industry-specific services. If you're having trouble finding clients, registering with one of these organizations can be a good way to get your name out there.[32]
- Typically, these organizations charge an annual membership fee to take advantage of their services. Most have certain requirements that you have to meet and there's a small fee to submit an application, as well.
- For example, The Institute of Management Consultants requires professional members to have at least 5 years of experience in management and a Masters Degree in Business.[33]
[Edit]References |
How to Do Plyo Pushups Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:00 AM PST Even if you work out regularly, you may not have heard of a plyo push up before. Plyo is short for plyometrics, which uses short bursts of explosive energy for high-intensity muscle training. Basically, to do a plyo push up, you'll launch yourself up off the ground instead of raising yourself smoothly. This really kicks your workout into high gear and gives you more cardio training than an average push up. If you think you can handle it, get started now! [Edit]The Basic Motion - Get into a standard push up position. A plyo push up starts in the same position as a regular push up. Get on the ground and place your palms on the ground a little further than shoulder-width apart, then straighten your arms to push yourself up. Keep your legs straight behind you so you're in a plank position. Keep your feet about hip-width apart for better balance. Look straight ahead rather than looking at the ground.[1]
- Keep your body nice and straight through the whole exercise. Tightening your core helps keep you stable.
- You could also start with your feet together. This makes the exercise a little harder for a better workout.[2]
- If you're working out on a mat, make sure it doesn't slip at all. You could get hurt if your mat moves during the exercise.
- Lower your body slightly above the ground. Bend your elbows like you're doing a normal push up. Keep your back straight and lower yourself until your chest is just above the ground.[3]
- Don't let your midsection sink or arch as you're lowering your body. Squeeze your core and glutes to keep yourself straight.
- Explode upwards and lift your hands off the ground. Here's where the plyo push up is really different from a regular push up. Instead of raising yourself back up smoothly, push off with enough force to lift your hands off the ground. Tighten your core to keep your back straight, and keep your hands in the same, shoulder-width position through the whole motion.[4]
- If you can't visualize this, imagine that your feet make a hinge with the ground. Your body raises up like a door opening.
- You can make the exercise harder by pushing your body further up. However, start off by only coming up to get used to the exercise. Then you can try to make it harder later on.
- Land flat on your palms to distribute the weight evenly. Keep your body straight and your hands in the same position through the whole motion to cushion yourself when you come back down. Keep your palms flat and your elbows slightly bent to distribute your weight evenly. When you land, bend your elbows and let your body fall a little bit so your arms absorb the impact, then tense your arms to stop yourself before you hit the floor.[5]
- If you're not doing another push up, then tighten your muscles to stop yourself from falling to the ground. If you are doing another, then keep the momentum going to throw yourself back up.
- Do 10 reps for a full set. Like other exercises, a standard set for a plyo workout is about 10 reps.[6] Keep the momentum going in between your push ups and maintain a smooth motion. Complete 10 reps to finish a set, and do 3 full sets for a workout.
- Since plyometric training is high-intensity, you can do fewer reps in the beginning. You'll still get a great workout in.
[Edit]Adding Variations - Elevate your hands on a bench to make the exercise easier. Plyo push ups are tough, and you might have a hard time with them even if you're in good shape. Luckily, you can make them a little easier while you're learning how to do them correctly. Start off with your hands on a raised surface, like a bench, staircase, or exercise platforms. With your body at an incline, you won't have to work as hard to lift yourself up. Place your hands on the raised surface and do the plyo push ups normally.[7]
- The height depends on how easy you want the workout to be. Generally, making a 45-degree angle with your body and the ground is a good target. That way the exercise will be easier, but still tough enough to get a workout.
- Make sure any surface you use is stable and won't fall down while you're working out. Also be very careful when you're coming back down so your hands don't slip off.
- Raise your feet up to increase the difficulty. Whereas raising your hands makes this workout easier, raising your feet makes it harder. Try putting your feet up on a bench or staircase for your starting position, then do the push ups from here.[8]
- A 45-degree angle in the other direction, with your head towards the ground instead of your feet, is a good target for the right incline.
- It's easy to bend your back when your feet are raised. Make sure you keep your core tight so your back is stable for the whole exercise.
- Hop side to side for a lateral plyo push up. This is a great way to train your upper body from a different angle. Instead of pushing yourself straight up during the upward part of the push up, push yourself to the left instead. Then on the next push up, push yourself to the right. Continue this alternating side to side motion for each set in your workout.[9]
- The distance varies depending on how hard of a workout you want. Try to land with your right hand where your left hand was before you hopped, and vice versa. This is a tough workout, so don't worry if you can't make it that far right away.
- You'll need a bit more room for this variation, so make sure there's nothing on either side that you could crash into.
- Do clapping push ups for more of a challenge. This is a plyo push up variant you've probably seen before. The basic motion is the same, but when your hands are in the air, clap once. Then quickly bring your hands back into position to catch yourself when you land.[10]
- Make sure you push yourself up high enough to clap. Otherwise, you won't be able to get your hands back fast enough and you might fall on your face.
- To make the workout even more intense, you could clap more than once for each push up. You'll have to push yourself up higher to pull this off.
- Isolate your triceps more with diamond plyo push ups. Diamond push ups are a popular push up variation, and you can incorporate them into a plyometric routine too. To start, get into a regular push up position and press your hands flat on the ground in front of your face. Then angle your hands and press your thumbs and index fingers together, forming a diamond shape with the space between your hands. Use this as your starting position to really work your triceps.[11]
- Since your hands are pushed together for this variant, it's a little more dangerous because you could roll your wrist when you land. Keep your palms and fingers stretched out so you have a wide platform to land on, and tense your arm muscles to keep your wrists tight.
- Before you exercise, warm up your body with static stretches (like stretching your arms and legs), then move into dynamic stretches like jumping jacks, high knees, or swinging your arms side to side.[12]
- If you're having trouble keeping your back straight, remember to squeeze your core and glutes through the whole workout. This helps stabilize your body.
- After you do pushups, wait 2 or 3 days before you repeat the exercise. That will allow your muscle fibers to recover, and you'll develop more muscle than if you rush back into more push-ups the next day.[13]
[Edit]Warnings - Plyo push ups can be tough on your wrists. If you have any pain or soreness in your wrists, it's best to skip the workout until you feel better to avoid any injuries.
[Edit]References |
How to Join a Zoom Meeting on iPhone or iPad Posted: 05 Nov 2020 12:00 AM PST The Zoom app allows you to participate in virtual video conferences with coworkers, business partners, and clients. This wikiHow shows you how to join a Zoom meeting on an iOS device. [Edit]Using the Zoom App - Tap the Zoom icon to open the app. The Zoom icon looks like a white video camera on a blue background.
- Tap . The option is near the bottom of the Zoom home screen.
- You do not need to be signed in to Zoom to join a meeting.
- Type in the Meeting ID number. The Meeting ID is a 9- or 10-digit number provided by the person who originally created the meeting.
- Tap the blue button. This should connect you to the meeting.
- Tap next to "Don't Connect to Audio" under Join Options to keep your device's microphone muted.
- Tap next to "Turn Off My Video" under Join Options to prevent other participants in the conference from being able to see you.
[Edit]Using a Meeting Link - Open the meeting link in your email or chat. Locate the link you've been provided to join the meeting. You'll usually find this in an email or chat.
- Tap on the link. This should bring you directly to the Join Meeting page. If you have the app downloaded, you can click on "open" in the pop up window to join the meeting via the Zoom app rather than on your web browser.
- Tap the blue button. This should automatically connect you to the meeting.
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