Setting Up on Your Own as a Freelancer or Consultant

Setting Up on Your Own as a Freelancer or Consultant: This workshop is intended for anyone who has or wishes to set up as a consultant or a service business, using a specialism or experience gained in employment. The aim of the course is to develop a range of key skills required to successfully start a new consultancy or service business. As you plan your consultancy or service business, you will learn about:

How to define your unique offer and potential target customer group(s)
The ingredients needed to start a successful consultancy or service business
Considering the differences and pros and cons of the change in the work situation
Identifying as required possible funding options and sources of professional advice and support as well as useful networks
Setting achievable time-bound business objectives and how to achieve them
Various marketing techniques including use of social media
Financial planning including resources needed, cash flow forecast , forecasting sales and pricing
Different legal setups for businesses, registration and taxation/ NI situation for each
How to prepare and develop a useful business plan as well as guided assistance on completing your own outline including financial sections.