Emerging
You've been independent for a few years but you know you could be doing more to up your game and be more profitable. PICA can help! Here's our suggested content arranged by topic. Some of it's free, but the more valuable content and tools are for PICA members only.
Being a Business
| Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| What/Who is a Professional Independent Consultant? | As we go to market or talk about ourselves, we need to convey three key elements. This article explains what they are and offers suggestions to help you "walk the talk." | |
| 2-minute video: Why Friends Don't Let Friends W-2 | Be sure you understand why it's better for you as a self-employed professional to be paid on a 1099 tax basis instead of a W-2 tax basis. | |
| Tax Status: 1099 vs. W-2 | How you are paid by clients impacts how you pay your taxes, along with how much tax you owe. This article explains why being paid on a 1099 tax basis is a huge plus. | |
| Temporary Employee vs. Independent Contractor | Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that matters is how you are classified and paid. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms so you know how to position yourself for success. | |
| Beware of Staffing Agencies | Understanding why third-party firms are usually bad for consultants is crucial. They can cost you money, even if you're paid on a 1099 tax basis. Be informed and improve your profitability! | |
| Creating a Foundation for Consulting Success | PICA's Chief Advocate offers tips on two interrelated topics: what to keep track of so you pay less tax, and how to set up your business for success. | |
| One Easy Step to a Professional Image | If you're using a personal email account for business, you're making a mistake. This blog by PICA's Chief Advocate explains why and how to easily fix it. | |
| Business Insurance | What you're likely to need and what clients often require; get familiar with the 10 most common types. | |
| Registering Your Business and Getting a License | You may need to register your business and get a business license in order to operate legally. Find out what you likely need and get actionable tips on how to do it. |
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| Registering Your DBA (Doing Business As) | Find out if you need a DBA and if so, how to get one. |
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| Invoicing Your Clients | The more streamlined your billing process, the sooner you're likely to get paid. Find tips, templates, and other considerations here. | |
| Business Structure: Sole-Proprietor, LLC, Corporation or Other? | Understand the benefits and tradeoffs of the three most common business structures for consultants in terms of liability, taxes, ease of use and client perception. |
As we go to market or talk about ourselves, we need to convey three key elements. This article explains what they are and offers suggestions to help you "walk the talk."
Be sure you understand why it's better for you as a self-employed professional to be paid on a 1099 tax basis instead of a W-2 tax basis.
How you are paid by clients impacts how you pay your taxes, along with how much tax you owe. This article explains why being paid on a 1099 tax basis is a huge plus.
Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that matters is how you are classified and paid. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms so you know how to position yourself for success.
Understanding why third-party firms are usually bad for consultants is crucial. They can cost you money, even if you're paid on a 1099 tax basis. Be informed and improve your profitability!
PICA's Chief Advocate offers tips on two interrelated topics: what to keep track of so you pay less tax, and how to set up your business for success.
If you're using a personal email account for business, you're making a mistake. This blog by PICA's Chief Advocate explains why and how to easily fix it.
What you're likely to need and what clients often require; get familiar with the 10 most common types.
Use this checklist to lay a foundation for a professional business.
You may need to register your business and get a business license in order to operate legally. Find out what you likely need and get actionable tips on how to do it.
Find out if you need a DBA and if so, how to get one.
The more streamlined your billing process, the sooner you're likely to get paid. Find tips, templates, and other considerations here.
Understand the benefits and tradeoffs of the three most common business structures for consultants in terms of liability, taxes, ease of use and client perception.
Branding and Marketing
| Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| What/Who is a Professional Independent Consultant? | As we go to market or talk about ourselves, we need to convey three key elements. This article explains what they are and offers suggestions to help you "walk the talk". | |
| Temporary Employee vs. Independent Contractor | Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that matters is how you are classified and paid. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms so you know how to position yourself for success. | |
| Consultant, Contractor, Freelancer: Labels Matter! | The terms you use impact how potential clients perceive you, how they pay you, and even how much they're willing to pay. | |
| One Easy Step to a Professional Image | Every self-employed consultant should follow this advice from PICA's Chief Advocate, yet many established consultants don't do it. If you want to be taken seriously as a consultant, read this! | |
| Registering Your DBA (Doing Business As) | Once you've selected a name for your business, find out if you need a DBA and if so, how to get one. | |
| Website Tips and Advice | Do you really need a website? Here are the reasons you do, and more importantly, the steps to easily create one. | |
| Know Your Niche | Don't make the mistake of marketing yourself as a "jack of all trades." PICA's Chief Advocate explains why knowing your niche is critical, and offers tips for figuring it out. | |
| Why Personal Branding is Vital and How to Do It | Consciously create your brand so you become known for something. This helps clients think of you and their colleagues refer you. | |
| Creating Your Consulting Resume | Even if you have a website and an all-star LinkedIn profile, you should still have a resume. Know how a consulting resume is different than a traditional one, and get tips for creating a strong one. | |
| Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Independent Consulting | Your LinkedIn profile is your #1 marketing tool since 95% of your potential clients will view it. Learn how to make the most of it! | |
| Be a Pro: Eliminate the Gray Square on Your LinkedIn Profile! | As an independent consultant running your own business, good marketing is critical. By not showing an image or logo, you're missing an opportunity to make a positive first impression. | |
| Tool: How to Build Your Website | This 4-page checklist will help you plan and organize your content, as well as where to get photos and what platform to use. | |
| Use Work Samples to Seal the Deal | PICA's Chief Advocate explains how to use samples to demystify what you do to help you win the work. |
As we go to market or talk about ourselves, we need to convey three key elements. This article explains what they are and offers suggestions to help you "walk the talk".
Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that matters is how you are classified and paid. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms so you know how to position yourself for success.
The terms you use impact how potential clients perceive you, how they pay you, and even how much they're willing to pay.
Every self-employed consultant should follow this advice from PICA's Chief Advocate, yet many established consultants don't do it. If you want to be taken seriously as a consultant, read this!
Once you've selected a name for your business, find out if you need a DBA and if so, how to get one.
Do you really need a website? Here are the reasons you do, and more importantly, the steps to easily create one.
Don't make the mistake of marketing yourself as a "jack of all trades." PICA's Chief Advocate explains why knowing your niche is critical, and offers tips for figuring it out.
Consciously create your brand so you become known for something. This helps clients think of you and their colleagues refer you.
Even if you have a website and an all-star LinkedIn profile, you should still have a resume. Know how a consulting resume is different than a traditional one, and get tips for creating a strong one.
Your LinkedIn profile is your #1 marketing tool since 95% of your potential clients will view it. Learn how to make the most of it!
This 4-page checklist will help you plan and organize your content, as well as where to get photos and what platform to use.
PICA's Chief Advocate explains how to use samples to demystify what you do to help you win the work.
No matter how you price your services and expertise, confidence is key. PICA's Chief Advocate offers tips and advice.
Business Development
| Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Consultant, Contractor, Freelancer: Labels Matter! | The terms you use impact how potential clients perceive you, how they pay you, and even how much they're willing to pay. | |
| Tap into Consulting's Secret Club to Help Grow Your Business | Successful consultants follow an unspoken code. PICA's Chief Advocate lets you in on the secret. | |
| Using Online Platforms to Boost Your Billings | Learn how to use online consulting platforms like Catalant to get new projects. Six of the largest platforms are reviewed along with links to their websites to sign up. | |
| Supplement Your Pipeline with Consulting Agencies | Realize the pros and cons of working with an agency, get questions for starting your research, and discover some of the better-known consulting agencies. | |
| Build Credibility as a Consultant with Success Stories | Use short stories or mini case studies to build your credibility before you've ever even had a conversation with a prospective client. | |
| Shift Your Perspective to Make Business Development Easier | Most consultants struggle with business development. A simple shift in thinking can make this easier. | |
| Business Development = Relationship Development | Business development does not equal sales. Be sure you understand the difference! This article by PICA's Chief Advocate includes seven tricks for making it easier. | |
| How Diligent Biz Dev Led to a Six-Figure Consulting Project | Building your business takes time and diligence. This article by PICA's Chief Advocate explains how she landed a $400,000 project, and shares her lessons learned. |
The terms you use impact how potential clients perceive you, how they pay you, and even how much they're willing to pay.
Successful consultants follow an unspoken code. PICA's Chief Advocate lets you in on the secret.
Learn how to use online consulting platforms like Catalant to get new projects. Six of the largest platforms are reviewed along with links to their websites to sign up.
Realize the pros and cons of working with an agency, get questions for starting your research, and discover some of the better-known consulting agencies.
Most consultants struggle with business development. A simple shift in thinking can make this easier.
Business development does not equal sales. Be sure you understand the difference! This article by PICA's Chief Advocate includes seven tricks for making it easier.
Building your business takes time and diligence. This article by PICA's Chief Advocate explains how she landed a $400,000 project, and shares her lessons learned.
Profit and Taxes
| Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Status: 1099 vs. W-2 | How you are paid by clients impacts how you pay your taxes, along with how much tax you owe. This article explains why being paid on a 1099 tax basis is a huge plus. |
|
| Temporary Employee vs. Independent Contractor | For the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), there are only two types of workers: employee (either temporary or full-time) and independent contractor. This gets confusing because the term "contractor" often means working through an agency and/or doing lower level work. Make sure you know the meaning of the various terms. |
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| Self Employed? Lower Your Tax Bill! | This article by PICA's Chief Advocate answers the question, "As a business owner, what can I do to lower my tax bill?" |
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| What is Self-Employment Tax? | Understand what this tax is, how it's calculated, and how to potentially offset it. |
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| Creating a Foundation for Consulting Success | This article by PICA's Chief Advocate covers the interrelated topics of what to keep track of to pay less tax and how to set up your business for success. | |
| Understanding Taxes When Self-Employed | This article explains the types of taxes that you are likely to pay and the nuances to being self-employed from a tax perspective. |
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| Be Prepared for Quarterly Taxes | Understand when and how to make estimated tax payments, and get some practical tips. |
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| Common Tax Deductions for Independent Consultants | The more deductions you have, the less tax you have to pay. This is a list of the most common deductions as well as practical tips for tracking them. |
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| Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) to Save Money | An HSA is not the same as an FSA (Flexible Spending Account). Understand the differences and why an HAS is an excellent option for saving money for both the short term and long term. |
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| The SEP-IRA and Solo 401(k): Your Secret Sauce for Building Wealth | As self-employed professional we have better retirement plan options than when we were employees. Understand why they're better and some of the trade-offs between the two most common options. |
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| Business Structure: sole-proprietor, LLC, corporation or other? | Understand the benefits and tradeoffs of the three most common business structures for consultants in terms of liability, taxes, ease of use and client perception. |
How you are paid by clients impacts how you pay your taxes, along with how much tax you owe. This article explains why being paid on a 1099 tax basis is a huge plus.
For the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), there are only two types of workers: employee (either temporary or full-time) and independent contractor. This gets confusing because the term "contractor" often means working through an agency and/or doing lower level work. Make sure you know the meaning of the various terms.
This article by PICA's Chief Advocate answers the question, "As a business owner, what can I do to lower my tax bill?"
Understand what this tax is, how it's calculated, and how to potentially offset it.
This article by PICA's Chief Advocate covers the interrelated topics of what to keep track of to pay less tax and how to set up your business for success.
This article explains the types of taxes that you are likely to pay and the nuances to being self-employed from a tax perspective.
Understand when and how to make estimated tax payments, and get some practical tips.
The more deductions you have, the less tax you have to pay. This is a list of the most common deductions as well as practical tips for tracking them.
An HSA is not the same as an FSA (Flexible Spending Account). Understand the differences and why an HAS is an excellent option for saving money for both the short term and long term.
As self-employed professional we have better retirement plan options than when we were employees. Understand why they're better and some of the trade-offs between the two most common options.
Understand the benefits and tradeoffs of the three most common business structures for consultants in terms of liability, taxes, ease of use and client perception.
Vendor Compliance
| Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Law Guidelines for Contractor vs Employee | Understanding the U.S. government's common law guidelines will help you position your consulting practice as an independent business. |
|
| Temporary Employee vs. Independent Contractor | Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that really matters is how you are classified and paid by your client. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms. | |
| 20 Questions to Qualify as an Independent Contractor | Most vendor compliance processes are based on a 20-point checklist established by the IRS to determine a worker's status. This impacts how you are paid -- on a 1099 tax basis or a W-2. Understanding the intent behind these questions will help you answer them as an independent business so you can preserve your 1099 status. | |
| Red Flags When Being Set Up as a Vendor | Be careful when contracting with larger clients. Know the warning signs so you don't get ushered down the W-2 payment path. | |
| Beware of Staffing Agencies | Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, staffing agencies promise to relieve independent consultants of arduous tasks like prospecting, billing, and paying quarterly taxes. These"benefits" come at a significant price. | |
| Preparing for a Compliance Process | Independent consultants are usually screened to determine if they qualify as an independent contractor. This process is intended to mitigate co-employment risk for the client, and it determines how the consultant will be hired and paid. |
Understanding the U.S. government's common law guidelines will help you position your consulting practice as an independent business.
Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that really matters is how you are classified and paid by your client. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms.
Most vendor compliance processes are based on a 20-point checklist established by the IRS to determine a worker's status. This impacts how you are paid -- on a 1099 tax basis or a W-2. Understanding the intent behind these questions will help you answer them as an independent business so you can preserve your 1099 status.
Be careful when contracting with larger clients. Know the warning signs so you don't get ushered down the W-2 payment path.
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, staffing agencies promise to relieve independent consultants of arduous tasks like prospecting, billing, and paying quarterly taxes. These"benefits" come at a significant price.
Independent consultants are usually screened to determine if they qualify as an independent contractor. This process is intended to mitigate co-employment risk for the client, and it determines how the consultant will be hired and paid.
Legal and Contracting
| Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Alert: Court Ruling Makes Independent Contracting More Difficult: What to Do | As a self-employed consultant, it's getting harder to qualify as an independent contractor, especially in light of the California Supreme Court's April 2018 ruling. Find out what you need to do to maintain your 1099 tax status. | |
| What/Who is a Professional Independent Consultant? | As we go to market or talk about ourselves, we need to convey three key elements. This article explains what they are and offers suggestions to help you "walk the talk". | |
| 2-minute video: Why Friends Don't Let Friends W-2 | Be sure you understand why it's better for you as a self-employed professional to be paid on a 1099 tax basis instead of a W-2 tax basis. | |
| Tax Status: 1099 vs. W-2 | How you are paid by clients impacts how you pay your taxes, along with how much tax you owe. This article explains why being paid on a 1099 tax basis is a huge plus. | |
| Temporary Employee vs. Independent Contractor | Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that matters is how you are classified and paid. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms so you know how to position yourself for success. | |
| Beware of Staffing Agencies | Understanding why third-party firms are usually bad for consultants is crucial. They can cost you money, even if you're paid on a 1099 tax basis. Be informed and improve your profitability! | |
| What to Do If Your Client Doesn't Pay | This article by PICA's Chief Advocate explains how to collect payment without hiring a lawyer. | |
| The ABC's of Contracting | LOA, MSA, PSA, SOW, NDA, SLAs. Learn about the basic contract types and when/how to use them; understand what various contract elements like indemnification mean; get tips on how to use the contracting process to your advantage. | |
| Contracting Carefully: Things to Look Out For | Regardless of who writes the agreement, know what language to include, exclude, watch out for, and negotiate to protect your interests. |
As a self-employed consultant, it's getting harder to qualify as an independent contractor, especially in light of the California Supreme Court's April 2018 ruling. Find out what you need to do to maintain your 1099 tax status.
As we go to market or talk about ourselves, we need to convey three key elements. This article explains what they are and offers suggestions to help you "walk the talk".
Be sure you understand why it's better for you as a self-employed professional to be paid on a 1099 tax basis instead of a W-2 tax basis.
How you are paid by clients impacts how you pay your taxes, along with how much tax you owe. This article explains why being paid on a 1099 tax basis is a huge plus.
Whether you call yourself a consultant, contractor, or freelancer, the only status that matters is how you are classified and paid. Be sure you understand the various labels and terms so you know how to position yourself for success.
Understanding why third-party firms are usually bad for consultants is crucial. They can cost you money, even if you're paid on a 1099 tax basis. Be informed and improve your profitability!
This article by PICA's Chief Advocate explains how to collect payment without hiring a lawyer.
LOA, MSA, PSA, SOW, NDA, SLAs. Learn about the basic contract types and when/how to use them; understand what various contract elements like indemnification mean; get tips on how to use the contracting process to your advantage.
Regardless of who writes the agreement, know what language to include, exclude, watch out for, and negotiate to protect your interests.