Getting Started Bootcamp Independent Study "Hawk Class"

About the bootcamp:

When you’re just starting out as an independent consultant, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. There’s so much to learn, and even more to do! This eight-week getting started bootcamp will help you…

• Set up your business (including naming it, if you haven’t already)

• Refine your branding and service offerings

• Figure out your pricing

• Create an online presence for your business

• Do your initial outreach and business development

• And tackle whatever else you may need help with!

Format:

Each session will focus on a particular topic, with assignments in between sessions. Assignments may include taking a PICA workshop if you haven’t already, and/or creating a first draft of something for the subsequent session. 

Syllabus:

When you register for the bootcamp, you will get the full course syllabus, along with supplementary worksheets, checklists, and other resources. 

Week of May 23rd

Become familiar with your objectives for next 8 weeks.  

Featured Topic: Laying Your Foundation (infrastructure).

Assignments and prep for next session:

• Complete your foundational steps (e.g. business license, DBA, etc.)
• Take Know Your Niche: Branding to Build Your Business (May 27th) or use PICA articles to help you: Why Personal Branding is Vital and How to Do It* and Know Your Niche* (These articles contain links to worksheets.)
• Take Billing Rates and Pricing Strategies (June 2nd)
• Draft your tagline, to be fine-tuned in the next session.
• Develop a summary of your service offerings. (What services do you provide and to whom?)

Related Materials:

• Creating a Foundation for Consulting Success
• Getting Started as Your Own Business (with checklist) *
• Registering Your Business and Getting a License *
• Registering Your DBA (Doing Business As) *
• Business Structure: Sole-proprietor, LLC, Corporation, or Other? *
• One Easy Step to a Professional Image (Use an email domain.)

Week of June 6th

Check in on your progress on laying your foundation. 

Focus Area: Refining your branding, go-to-market messaging, and service offerings. 

Assignments and prep for next session:

• Replicate your tagline on all marketing
• Begin to update your LinkedIn profile (your tagline as your headline)
• Create an email signature with your tagline
  • Is Your Email Signature Helping You Stand Out from the Crowd?
• Take Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Consulting* (June 10th) or use the PICA reference guide *
• Update your LinkedIn Profile

Related Materials:

• PICA Reference Guide: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile (download)
• How to Figure Out Your Consulting Bill Rate
• Quote Your Consulting Billing Rate with Confidence

Week of June 20th 

Branding and pricing; review LinkedIn profile updates.

Focus Area: Create visibility! Creating a LinkedIn business page and/or website.

Assignments and prep for next session:

• Take How to Build Your Website (TBD) or use PICA's reference guide (download)
• Finish your LinkedIn profile
• Create an outline for your website
• Create a LinkedIn business page
• Bonus points if you get a first draft of your website done, too!

Related Materials:

• Eliminate the Gray Square on Your LinkedIn Profile!
• PICA Reference Guide: How to Build Your Website * (download)

Week of July 4th

Marketing efforts and website outlines (or actual websites)

Focus Area: Preparing for Launch 

Assignments and prep for next session: 

• Export and prioritize contacts
• Draft outreach message(s)
• Draft two stories or case studies
• Prepare samples so you have them ready
• Take Business Development for Independent Consultants (July 8th) or read the five articles in PICA's Resources Library *
• Take Legal Aspects of Solo Consulting (July 14th)

Related Materials:

• Read the five articles in PICA's Business Development Library *
• Use Work Samples to Seal the Deal
• Negotiation Tips for Independent Consultants 

Week of July 18th 

Develop goals for next quarter

Assignment: Officially launch your business!

* Members-only content