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Market a Small Business |
5 Ways to Promote Your Consulting Business on Social Media
Social media marketing can really make a difference for small businesses. The best part? You don’t need a big marketing budget like a large corporation to see results. To help you effectively promote your business, here are five tips to get you started. 1. Position Yourself As an Expert No matter your industry, social media…
Start a Small Business |
4 Tips for Starting a Consulting Business After Retirement
A big career change like retirement can unsettle even the most accomplished professionals. But if you’re like many people who still feel like they have great work to do, you can use your transition to retirement as an opportunity to launch a profitable and fulfilling career as an independent professional, joining a 64.6 million-strong workforce of…
Start a Small Business |
8 Business Startup Costs for Independent Professionals
Starting your own business is challenging, but the more you prepare, the higher your likelihood of success will be. There’s a lot to consider when you go out on your own, from determining the services you’ll offer to how you’ll incorporate your business, where you’ll work, and how you’ll find clients. Below, we outline eight…
Self Employed Benefits |
Is SEP IRA a Good Retirement Option for Self-Employed Professionals?
Being your own boss comes with unmatched freedom, yet retirement planning is often more complex for independent professionals. Unlike traditional jobs, where retirement is built-in, this path requires proactive planning. Fortunately, there are a number of solutions available. The right one for you will depend on a number of factors including your personal goals and…
Market a Small Business |
5 Ways Successful Small Businesses Use LinkedIn
If you’re an independent professional, LinkedIn is a great platform for promoting and marketing your business. From brand-building to growing your client base, LinkedIn has a lot to offer. Here are five top tips to help you succeed on LinkedIn as a solo business. 1. Have a Complete Profile Your profile is an excellent opportunity…
Grow a Small Business |
How to Create Consulting Content That Sells
Service marketing differs from product marketing in several ways, with one key difference being the lack of a tangible sample for prospects to assess or test. One effective way to promote your services is by creating content that showcases both your expertise and your personality. Building a content library offers prospects a preview of your…
Manage a Small Business |
Right to Disconnect? 5 Takeaways for Independents From Australia’s New Law
Once digital technologies became ubiquitous, workers discovered that “being available” meant being available 24-7. But imagine a world where employees can legally ignore those pesky after-hours work calls and emails. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for employees in Australia, this is now a reality. A recent article by TIME highlights the new “Right-to-Disconnect” law…
Market a Small Business |
9 Ways to Build a Personal Brand for Small Business
Building a personal brand is an important part of your identity—whether you’re an independent professional or a Fortune 100 company. From your name and logo to your company slogan and reputation, it’s how the public knows you. As an independent contractor, you are the face of your company. Establishing a strong personal brand is essential…
Self Employed Benefits |
SIMPLE IRA: Self-Employed Contributions and Limits
Self-employed professionals enjoy the flexibility, control, and creativity that an independent career offers, but planning for retirement can be a challenge. Unlike traditional jobs with built-in retirement options, navigating this field as an independent contractor can be more complex and uncertain. Fortunately, there are a number of retirement savings options available. The right one for…
State of Independence |
What Sets Independent Workers Apart from Traditional Employees: Purpose and Growth
As relationships between employers and employees shifts, more people are seeking careers outside of the confines of traditional employment. More than 72 million Americans work independently, according to our latest State of Independence report. The independent workforce offers a place of flexibility and choice that traditional employees don’t often find in their jobs. Independent Work…
Self Employed Benefits |
Pros and Cons of a Defined Benefit Plan for Self-Employed Professionals
Retirement planning is a top concern for self-employed professionals, and a defined benefit plan is one option to consider. The right choice for you will depend on a number of factors like your personal goals and income level, which you can discuss with a financial advisor. What Is a Defined Benefit Plan? Think of a…
Market a Small Business |
5 Tips for Marketing Your Small Business
Marketing a small business means taking charge of how you sell your services to the world. It’s a powerful way to grow your company by giving it both an identity and a voice. Effective marketing ensures your services are front and center when people search for the solutions you provide. Remember, the more effort you…
Start a Small Business |
How to Effectively Sell Your Consulting Services
As a self-employed professional, selling your consulting services is a big part of your job. If this is something that doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t worry. Your commitment to building your own business shows you have what it takes to succeed in this area as well. So, how do you sell your services to…
Grow a Small Business |
5 Blogging Tips for Your Small Business
To market your services successfully, you must establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Writing and publishing a blog is an easy way to showcase your expertise. Not only does a well-crafted blog demonstrate your knowledge, but it also helps build trust with potential clients. How do you get started writing a successful blog?…
Workforce Management |
8 Ways to Effectively Engage Independent Contractors
Navigating the risks of worker misclassification can feel daunting, but there are ways to simplify the process. As independent professionals have become more mainstream, the engagement process has evolved, making it easier to manage. Here are eight tips to help streamline your engagement with independent professionals. 1. Bring an Expert on Board Partnering with a…
Workforce Management |
8 Items to Include in an Independent Contractor Agreement
An independent contractor agreement is essential when working with contractors. While it may be tempting for both your company and contractors to jump right into the work, skipping this step can cause issues down the road. Here, we’ll discuss why having a contract for your independent contractors is important and what key elements to include…
Workforce Management |
16 Benefits of Hiring Contractors vs Employees
Hiring independent contractors over full-time employees comes with many benefits. Today, more than 72 million people have chosen to work independently rather than have a permanent, full-time job. And most independent contractors are very satisfied with the flexibility and creativity their career path affords. Most plan to remain independent and even build a larger business….
Guides and Templates |
9 Common Contractor Compliance Issues and How to Avoid Them (Guide)
The number of people working as independent professionals in the U.S. is steadily rising. As the independent workforce continues to grow, more companies are tapping into this talent source.
State of Independence |
What Sets Independent Workers Apart from Traditional Employees: Purpose and Growth
As relationships between employers and employees shifts, more people are seeking careers outside of the confines of traditional employment. More than 72 million Americans work independently, according to our latest State of Independence report. The independent workforce offers a place of flexibility and choice that traditional employees don’t often find in their jobs. Independent Work…
Workforce Management |
5 Things to Look for When Hiring Independent Talent
Hiring independent talent to complement a full-time workforce is an increasingly popular strategy among companies today. With 72.7 million people working independently, there’s plenty of talent to choose from. However, finding the right person who possesses the necessary skills and aligns with your company culture or working style can be challenging. Here are five tips…
Workforce Management |
How to Successfully Transition to an Internally Managed Contingent Workforce Model
Establishing an internally managed contingent workforce model takes careful planning and attention to detail. Right from the start, it’s important to communicate clearly, set expectations, and define roles and responsibilities for everyone involved. To make the transition smoother, there are a few strategies you can follow. Below, we outline the essential steps to help your…
Guides and Templates |
How to Avoid a Worker Misclassification Audit (Guide)
Learn the steps to take if your company is audited and 15 best practices to implement to avoid an audit.
Misclassification & Compliance |
What Is Worker Misclassification?
As more companies incorporate independent professional talent into their workforces, the issue of worker misclassification has also been thrown into the spotlight. But what is worker misclassification? First, it’s important to understand that independent contractors—for example, freelancers, consultants, self-employed professionals, gig workers—represent a fundamentally different type of worker than your typical W-2 employee. “Independent contractor”…
Workforce Management |
How to Build a Competitive Workforce Strategy
Building a strong community of independent talent is key to making the most of today’s workforce. The best contractors often have the freedom to choose who they work with, so companies need to make sure they’re offering a great experience from the get-go. That means companies need to prioritize meaningful opportunities and genuine support…
Workforce Management |
Advantages of an Internally Managed Contingent Workforce Program
One of the most exciting changes in today’s work environment is the growing role of contingent workers—independent contractors, freelancers, and others—engaged by companies for specific projects or short-term roles. While many companies rely on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to handle this workforce, an increasing number are opting to take control by adopting an internally managed…
Workforce Trends |
How is Artificial Intelligence Impacting Independent Work?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become a common presence in the lives of both independent professionals as well as the clients and enterprises that engage them. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is changing the way work is being done, becoming a powerful tool for small business marketing and automation. Our research finds that…
Workforce Management |
5 Ways to Attract and Retain Great Independent Talent
Five tips for leveraging and engaging top independent talent for your business.
Workforce Trends |
Transforming Your Workforce for a Complex World: 4 Familiar Concepts to Align Talent
As the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) prepares for its 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition under the theme “Transforming for a Complex World,” the Army is facing a reality filled with rapid and dramatic change. The nature of warfare has changed dramatically, with cyber threats, AI-driven intelligence and rapidly evolving technologies making operation in…