Karen Catlin@kecatlin

Welcome to this week's #GHCchat about tech consulting. I've been consulting for ~2 years. I've learned a ton & still learning every day.

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:01:06

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535583644694622208

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:01:06

Grace Hopper (GHC)@ghc

Q1: Why did you begin consulting? What challenges have you faced? Pls answer w/ A1 #GHCchat

@ExtrovertedGeek

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:00:02

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http://twitter.com/ghc/status/535583378192363520

— Grace Hopper (GHC) (@ghc)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:00:02

Christina Morillo@divinetechygirl

A1: Biggest challenge is being okay with uncertainty. #GHCchat

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:13:13

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http://twitter.com/divinetechygirl/status/535586694704406528

— Christina Morillo (@divinetechygirl)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:13:13

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

A1 #GHCchat My biggest challenge as a consultant? Learning to sell. I'm an engineer, not salesperson! How about you?

@ghc

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:01:35

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535583768019341312

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:01:35

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

A1 #GHCchat I also like consulting because of flexibility; more time to write, find my voice.

@ExtrovertedGeek

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:09:53

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535585856304582656

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:09:53

Shannon Jaeger@shannon_jaeger

@ghc A1 Biggest challenge is finding new work and selling myself #GHCchat

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:26:01

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http://twitter.com/shannon_jaeger/status/535589916273414144

— Shannon Jaeger (@shannon_jaeger)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:26:01

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

Q2: How do you scope a consulting project? Do you have tips for pitching a potential client? #GHCchat

@ExtrovertedGeek

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:10:07

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535585914232504323

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:10:07

Brianne Huntsman@ceohunty

A2: Do your research on review sites like Glassdoor. If they treat employees poorly they'll treat YOU poorly #GHCchat

@BurtonSays

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:12:54

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http://twitter.com/ceohunty/status/535586615079346176

— Brianne Huntsman (@ceohunty)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:12:54

Christina Morillo@divinetechygirl

@ceohunty Exactly! I do this for perm gigs as well #GHCchat

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:13:57

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http://twitter.com/divinetechygirl/status/535586880780517376

— Christina Morillo (@divinetechygirl)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:13:57

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

A2 #GHCchat Check with your tax advisor…but you should keep track of every expense, mile driven, train fare, etc for deductions at year end.

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:20:06

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535588425869426688

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:20:06

Mary Tarczynski@MaryTarczynski

Use #inboundmarketing to engage clients & attract new ones. Giving away little titbits of your wisdom will have them wanting more #GHCchat

@DrMarctagon

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:52:22

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http://twitter.com/MaryTarczynski/status/535596549636497408

— Mary Tarczynski (@MaryTarczynski)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:52:22

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

@MaryTarczynski #GHCchat Yes, consultants need to give advice/info freely to get clients interested. real karma!

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:53:48

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535596906823421954

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:53:48

Marc (not Mark) A.@DrMarctagon

@rosariorobinson Yes, if you stick to one thing but be a master at it. It pays off more than being just good at 10 things. #GHCchat

Fri, Nov 21 2014 01:04:13

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http://twitter.com/DrMarctagon/status/535599529785978880

— Marc (not Mark) A. (@DrMarctagon)Fri, Nov 21 2014 01:04:13

Brianne Huntsman@ceohunty

Real Talk: So, as a tech consultant-what do you do if you can't solve whatever problem you've been hired to fix? #GHCChat

@maelorin

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:19:55

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http://twitter.com/ceohunty/status/535588382886211585

— Brianne Huntsman (@ceohunty)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:19:55

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

@ceohunty #GHCchat I refer my clients to other experts if I can't meet their need.

@maelorin

·

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:21:44

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535588837276151810

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:21:44

Grace Hopper (GHC)@ghc

Q3: What books/resources have you found helpful for beginning work as a consultant? #GHCchat

@catintp

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:20:11

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http://twitter.com/ghc/status/535588450247147520

— Grace Hopper (GHC) (@ghc)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:20:11

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

A3 #GHCchat My friend @poornima gave me "The Sandler Rules" – a book with 49 helpful tips for selling. Great for any new consultant.

@WillingCarol

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:23:06

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535589181733363712

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:23:06

Christina Morillo@divinetechygirl

A3: Google & @freelancersu #GHCchat

@ghc

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:30:50

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http://twitter.com/divinetechygirl/status/535591129434316800

— Christina Morillo (@divinetechygirl)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:30:50

Brianne Huntsman@ceohunty

A3: The Lean Startup. Everyone should read this book! #GHCchat

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:22:42

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http://twitter.com/ceohunty/status/535589080038264832

— Brianne Huntsman (@ceohunty)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:22:42

Karen Catlin@kecatlin

Q4: How do you find clients? #GHCchat

@ExtrovertedGeek

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Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:30:05

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http://twitter.com/kecatlin/status/535590939558166528

— Karen Catlin (@kecatlin)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:30:05

Shannon Jaeger@shannon_jaeger

@ExtrovertedGeek @ghc You can start by networking. Everyone you meet is a potential client #GHCChat

Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:29:47

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http://twitter.com/shannon_jaeger/status/535590862982373377

— Shannon Jaeger (@shannon_jaeger)Fri, Nov 21 2014 00:29:47