Getting Started Bootcamp Independent Study "Indigo 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 program 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:

The syllabus involves six PICA workshops, plus checklists, templates, and worksheets. (See below for the syllabus.)  In between the workshops, you're welcome to drop into weekly Office Hours to get your questions answered and to get informal coaching from PICA's Chief Advocate and possibly other PICA members who may also drop in. 

There is a ninety-minute kick-off session on Friday, September 10 at 10:00 am Pacific time in order to get familiar with how the independent study option works, to discuss the infrastructure tasks you'll need to complete, and to meet your mentor(s). We encourage you to participate live, but if you can't we will record the session. If you don't participate or watch this kick off session, it will be more difficult for your to set up your business. 

Syllabus:

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

Kick off on September 10

Become familiar with your objectives for next 8 weeks.  

Featured Topic: Laying Your Foundation (infrastructure).

Assignments and prep for the next two weeks:

• Complete your foundational steps (e.g. business license, DBA, etc.)
• Take Know Your Niche: Branding to Build Your Business (September 16th) 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 (September 21st)
• Draft your tagline, to be fine-tuned over the subsequent 8 weeks.
• 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.)

* PICA member log-in required.

Week of September 24

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

Assignments for next two weeks:

• 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* (October 7th) 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 October 8

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

Assignments for next two weeks:

• Take How to Build Your Website (TBD, week of October 11th) 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 October 22

Focus Area: Preparing for Launch 

Assignments for next two weeks: 

• 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 (October 29th) or read the five articles in PICA's Resources Library *
• Take Legal Aspects of Solo Consulting (November 3rd)

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 November 5

Develop goals for next quarter.

Assignment: Officially launch your business!

* Members-only content