Comments on: Laid Off? Now You’re Free to Consult!

By: Alexis

Alexis — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:52:34 +0000

This is an excellent resource for newbies like me. I recently found myself laid off, and navigating through the start-up waters seemed overwhelming. Thanks for all of your tips!

By: Can You Leave Your Job to Consult Today? | Solo PR Pro | Resources for Independent PR & MarCom Consultants

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:28:49 +0000

[...] talked about the exciting consulting opportunities available for those who’ve experienced a layoff, but what about someone who is currently [...]

By: Clarice

Clarice — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:59:31 +0000

Thanks for this great article. I was informed that my position was being eliminated in a few months. I am taking the time I have left to strengthen relationships with my contacts. As soon I felt more comfortable “announcing” the unfortunate news, I have started receiving calls from people in the industry inquiring about my services.

By: Kellye Crane

Kellye Crane — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:09:29 +0000

@Amy- Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We’ll be covering how to find clients in an upcoming post.

@Karen-Definitely agree that getting an accountant should be undertaken early on. It’s great to have a consultation when you first start, so they can help you think about your operations in advance.

@Denise- Yes, I think feeling “stuck,” without options, is the worst feeling in the world. Thanks for your comment!

@cw- You’re so right! Doing consulting work can help you be in the right place at the right time, in addition to the other benefits.

By: cwcomment

cwcomment — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:46:38 +0000

Consulting is a great way to go and lets you harness the power of small in your career. You keep building your network, keep food on the table, adding to your resume and you’;; b in te right spot when things get better and a full time job opens up with one of youre clients.

By: Denise Graveline

Denise Graveline — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 23:25:12 +0000

I agree with these very good points, and, as someone who’s just finished her fifth year of solo PR consultancy, there’s plenty of work out there. Most important to remember: It’s important at all times in your career to feel as if you have options, even if you don’t exercise them. Solo work is one such option…and it leads to many more options, in turn.

One more option: If you’re in the Washington, DC, area, my colleague Kate Perrin runs PRofessional Solutions, the area’s only temp firm for public relations help. It includes temporary and temp-to-permanent jobs. Check it out at http://www.prstaffing.com. It’s one way to get your toe in the consulting waters without going out on your own completely.

Denise Graveline’s last blog post..photos as a social-media strategy: 5 views

By: Karen Strong

Karen Strong — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:20:45 +0000

Great information! Being on my own now for 8 years I can attest to Kellye’s great advice on getting started as a consultant.

The “tax situation” can seem a bit scary, but as long as you plan ahead and save a portion of each billing for taxes you’ll be fine. The only piece of advice I would add is get a good accountant to help you navigate the ever-changing tax laws.

Keep up the great work Kellye!

By: amymengel

amymengel — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:41:27 +0000

This is such a useful post for anyone thinking about freelancing or consulting, whether they have been laid off or not. In some ways, a layoff can be the perfect push that someone needs to go for it! Especially when you do have a day job, there's so many easy reasons to talk yourself out of going solo. You've definitely debunked some of the most common ones. I think the most challenging issue is finding a starting point. How do you find that first client? Do you do some volunteer/pro bono work at first just to build up a portfolio? Thanks for a great post that got me thinking. @amymengel amymengel’s last blog post..Capital Region Communications Pros on Twitter

By: Kellye Crane

Kellye Crane — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:25:41 +0000

@Sonny- Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, Sonny. You’re a perfect example of someone making the best of the current environment. It’s great to hear that you’ve continued to gain expertise as a consultant during this period, which will no doubt help you land that next job!

By: Sonny Gill

Sonny Gill — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:12:17 +0000

This not only applies to the PR industry but as well as the online marketing side of things. Since being laid, though I've been vigorously looking for full-time work, I've been given the opportunity to work on several projects and client work since doomsday. Its been a great experience thus far and has taught me a lot. I can say now, though looking for full-time, that this time has been worth it for my career and has helped me grow even further. Great tips and thoughts here, Kellye! Sonny Gill’s last blog post..Too Much Transparency or Lack of Common Sense?