Course Description

Do you fear being downsized? Millions of people prosper as independent contractors. How successful could you become? This online class provides mentoring and step-by-step techniques and strategies to achieve success. Topics Include: Who hires freelancers - What skills do you need - Finding the work - The hot markets - How to market yourself - How to establish your fees - Tax deductions - How to get started - How to incorporate for under $50! This is not a construction class. Read lessons, participate in exercises, and hold live interactive discussions with instructor and fellow students in your on-line classroom. Runs for 6 weeks and is self-paced. Complete the lessons on your own timetable. Course requirements include intermediate PC skills. For more information visit www.gsinet.org. Don’t forget to include your email with registration.

Course Outline

Friday, Step 2
Minimum Acceptable Hourly Rates ~ Determining your financial needs, benefits, calculating hourly rates, how to make sure you get paid fairly, and determining your billable-hour targets.

Week Two
Tuesday, Step 3
Hot Fields, Jobs, Skills and Business Ventures ~ In this lesson we'll look at the kind of skills, jobs and business ideas that are most in demand.

Friday, Step 4
Getting your business set up ~ Here we look at all of the details involved in getting started in your own business: organizational structure, taxes, business names, licenses, registrations, filings and DBA's.

Week Three
Tuesday, Step 5
Finding the Work ~ There are thousands of sources for finding assignments. Here we explore the insider market, picking an agency, assignment auctions and finally, Internet sources.

Friday, Step 6
Getting Inside ~ In this lesson we are looking at networking, professional alliances, establishing mentors and developing insider contacts. 

Week Four  
Tuesday, Step 7
Making the Pitch ~ This lesson will focus on the steps to making a great presentation: pre-approach, getting an appointment, pre-interview intelligence and the first client meeting.

Friday, Step 8
Getting the Order ~ How to write a good proposal, making a dynamite presentation and writing a solid contract.

Week Five  
Tuesday, Step 9
Managing the Assignment ~ You got the green light, now what? In this lesson, we to examine project management and maintaining client relationships.

Friday, Step 10
Long Term Marketing ~ End cold calling forever by becoming a nationally recognized expert in your discipline.

Week Six  
Tuesday, Step 11
Managing your Business ~ Now that you're a business entrepreneur, you need to learn a few new management tricks, so it all stays together.

Friday, Step 12
Keeping the IRS Happy ~ An Independent Contractor is a special IRS classification and they are fussy about who gets to call themselves an independent contractor. Then we will explore the unique tax consequences of an independent contractor and the home office.