9 Responses

1. Just do it
   Sounds trite I know but ‘just do it’. Use your existing cointacts, look on sites like this, tell people that you are thinking of setting up on your own, read the trade press.

   If you are already thinking of going freelance there are some push (don’t like where I am etc) and some pull ( I could do that cheaper / better / faster etc)factors already operating.

   I jumped into freelance work about a year ago as a result of the above – (I knew I could cover a good bit of my salary and hated my boss) – and have not regretted it.

   One thing that I have learned in the meantime is the importance of networking actively rather than passively – and having fun doing it.

   There are lots of opportunities out there and you / me / we / they can take (honest – if we don’t provide good value we’re dead) advantage of them to make a good living. Let me know what you see as your specialisms and if I run across anyone looking for them I’ll let you know

   Have fun.

2. Just do it
   Sounds trite I know but ‘just do it’. Use your existing cointacts, look on sites like this, tell people that you are thinking of setting up on your own, read the trade press.

   If you are already thinking of going freelance there are some push (don’t like where I am etc) and some pull ( I could do that cheaper / better / faster etc)factors already operating.

   I jumped into freelance work about a year ago as a result of the above – (I knew I could cover a good bit of my salary and hated my boss) – and have not regretted it.

   One thing that I have learned in the meantime is the importance of networking actively rather than passively – and having fun doing it.

   There are lots of opportunities out there and you / me / we / they can take (honest – if we don’t provide good value we’re dead) advantage of them to make a good living. Let me know what you see as your specialisms and if I run across anyone looking for them I’ll let you know

   Have fun.

3. Going Freelance
   I agree with Alistair – ‘just do it’. Networking with existing contacts and new ones is vital. If you are a member of any professional institutes (IPD etc) the local branch meetings are a good place to do that.

   Have a focused area for your training; although there is a great temptation to think ‘I’m a trainer – I can train in anything’, you need to specialise in fairly narrow fields, but you could have more than one.

   Two books that I found very useful when I was setting up are: ‘Go It Alone’ by Geoff Burch, pub by Thorsons, 1997, price £8.99, ISBN 0-7225-3460-4, and ‘Starting a High-income Consultancy’ by James Essinger, pub by Pitman/Institute of Management, 1994, don’t know price, ISBN 0-273-60752-9.

   Please feel free to e-mail me (dskinner@garsdale.freeserve.co.uk) if you want to talk over any aspects. Good luck!

4. contact us at the above email address for details
   Sarah,we have a training course which is IMC approved, plus links to a number of firms who will help locate contracts.
   Please email your details to us : administration@cameronshea.co.uk

5. HOW I WENT ABOUT GOING FREELANCE
   HAVING WORKED IN TRAINING BOTH IN THE FORCES AND WITH TRAINING PROVIDERS AND AFTER A HEART ATTACK I FOUND NO ONE WANTED TO KNOW ME. SO I WENT OUT COLD CALLING ON COMPANIES OFFERING THEM NVQ’S IN FOUR AREAS. I INITIALLY GOT 9 CANDIDATES IN COMPANY AND WITH THESE UNDER MY BELT VISITED COLLEGES AND TRAINING PROVIDERS IN THE AREA AND SOLD THE CANDIDATES TO THEM.
   I NOW HAVE 40+ CANDIDATES THAT I AM ASSESSING AND WITH MY TRAINING SKILLS AM ABLE TO SELL TRAINING DAYS RELATED TO NVQ’S.
   IT WAS HARD AT FIRST BUT WELL WORTH IT LIKE THE OTHERS, GO FOR IT!

6. going freelance

   I’ve written an article on this topic which is on the AMED website under members contributions ” choosing or losingwhich may help you. My going freelance was after I became redundant in my late 40’s, so yours may be a different situation, however I think there would probably be similarities although motivation could be different. If you can’t get hold of the article send me an e mail and I’ll get you a copy. Good Luck Derek Adams

7. Get an accountant!
   Think carefully, and be pragmatic.

   It is a head not heart decision.

   If you go for it – get a VAT number ASAP – it’s not important what you earn, and you can start reclaiming 17.5% of all purchases.

   Get in touch if you want more advice.

   Think it through, and have a clear plan – be realistic.

   All the best.

   Andrew Gibbons

8. AMED as a source of inspiration
   The Association for Management Education and Development (www.amed.management.org.uk) is a great resource and a great bunch of people. Its current calendar offers a couple of workshops on issues facing independent consultants.

   All good wishes

9. AMED as a source of inspiration
   The Association for Management Education and Development (www.amed.management.org.uk) is a great resource and a great bunch of people. Its current calendar offers a couple of workshops on issues facing independent consultants.

   All good wishes