How to Become an IT Consultant
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- How to Become an IT Consultant
50 Minutes
Synopsis:
This class introduces you to that's required to go out on your own as an IT Consultant. Starting your computer business is relatively easy. This class talks about:
Tools You Need
Where You Should Have Your Office
Advertising Your Small Business
Billing your Clients
much more..
I started my consulting business during the IT recession after the .COM bust. After 1 month I was paying my bills, after 3 I was doing better then I had ever expected. Once you learn how easy it is to work for yourself it's hard to ever imagine working for anyone else again!
Class Notes:
Introduction
Becoming a consultant is surprisingly easy and if you have the right mindset for it you will be happier and make more money than if you are an employee. If you have the wrong mindset you'll be bankrupt and miserable quick.
What you need
The Little Green Bag
Don't buy tools until you can use them to make money
Sometime clients will buy you tools for a specific job (This is how I originally got my wire testing kit
To start with all you need is a screw driver and a can of air
Where to work
Your basement is FINE!!!
Too many people waste valuable money trying to look professional by getting office space.
Small business clients will not have a problem with you working out of your house as long as you do good work.
Advertising
Put up a website and get your email address first!
Pull tab signs work great
You're not ready to advertise on the web yet!
Cheap is good. You have lots of time, and little money. Do cheap advertising until you are so busy that you don't have time for it.
Knock on doors -- By going to business districts and knocking on doors/ handing out flyers I found that every 3 hours I was out netted me at least 1 client. (On average... sometimes I would work 10 hours and get nothing, and then pickup 3 clients in under an hour)
Promotion
Get business cards ASAP! Always have business cards with you.
Always talk about your business. (I used to get clients by simply going to the local bar where all the business people hung out and having a few drinks)
Charging
If you want to reduce the bill reduce hours billed, not what you bill per hour
Lump bill better then time + materials -- You get more profit from giving a job price.
Always get a deposit worth hardware
Credit cards... checks are better -- Credit card customers can revoke charges up to 3 months after payment.
Taxes
FEIN Number from IRS -- FEIN is technically only required if you have employees, but vendors think you are more professional if you have one
Sales Tax Certificate /reseller -- To sell products you need a Sales Tax license from your state. Many distributors require a Sales Tax Certificate.
Doing Business as Name allows you to accept checks under the name of your business.
LLC..? Supposedly better for tax and legal issues. While you are starting I wouldn't worry about it. Once you have a "real' business you should do it.
Under Promise Over Deliver
If the system doesn't do what the client needs they won't pay!
Don't make up answers, "Let me find out."
Answer the questions your clients don't know to ask.
Liability / Contracts
Handshake deals are easier and quicker then contracts
Contracts give a legal recourse if the client doesn't pay, but if you don't provide what is in the contract you may be held liable.
Errors and Omissions insurance -- as a "professional" you are required to inform clients of things they may not think of.
Product / service creep
The more products and services you offer the more complicated and expensive it becomes to provide them.
Offering too much can be far worse than not offering enough.
Employees
Good people can be pain in the ass employees
Use Metrics to verify employees are doing what they need to do
Treat the hiring and firing of Employees the same way you would treat purchasing or retiring servers. Both servers and employees are simply resources that are required to make the business profitable. - Věda a technologie
![How I Became A Consultant Despite Being A [Terrible] Student](/img/n.gif)
Thank you Eli for your inspiring, simple, and practical approach to becoming an IT consultant.
Eli I came back to this video just to say THANK YOU!! .. am already in the process, fell into consulting by accident , was helping an office out for free since it was a friend who worked there, then formed my sole prop , did a server proposal and started billing , now its time to make it grow !!
Regarding purchasing Hardware, I would never purchase anything for the clients upfront. I would get the clients to purchase the hardware directly (from Dell, or wherever). When it arrives, I would set it up and charge them a pre-discussed flat-rate service fee. This way, you don't have any upfront costs at all, so if the client goes bankrupt (or the deal goes south), the only thing you'd be out on is your time in labor.
Thank you Eli for your tutorials,i have gained a lot by practicing your teachings. Keep up the good work.
I stumbled across this video and listened out of curiosity. This may be a video from 2010, but 90% of what Eli speaks about is still very relevant. This is applicable and valuable advice for anyone starting any small business and not just IT. This should be mandatory for High School students in their senior year of a business class.
this still applies in 2023
Thanks for what you do. Your advice will be priceless for those just starting out. Good job!
You have inspired me. I was thinking I'd just work for some firm for a while until everything got outsourced. Now I think I'm going to work for a few years, gain certs and experience, then maybe start my own consulting thing.
Eli,
Like many others have written I too wish to say " Thank You, " I began work as a Consultant after getting sick and losing my job. Well let's just say long story short, best thing that could have happen to me.. I have viewed many of your videos and I must say starting in the 90's until now I have experienced the trends, owned my own shop during the bubble [ great times]
But my thank you is for the validation for doing the things just the way you said them and enjoying freedom too.. IT WORKS!
Last but not least, I hope you continue make => NO BS ~ " Real Talk Videos "
All I can say is WOW! You solidified my business model and talked me into getting off of my butt and knocking on doors. I just found you yesterday and can't stop watching!! Thank you and God bless you!
Your advises are incredibly helpful, after seen your video I decided to become a computer consultant and even made a webpage and and printed some business cards, thank you!!!
I am just beggining to enter studing IT field this September at age 45 with lots of enthusiasam. Watching your videos and hearing all these valuable advices give me lots of strength and motivation. Thank you so much for doing this wonderful work.
I've been thinking, about this IT consultant thing,
for a while now. I'm glad I watched this vid.👍
Great advice Eli. The only thing missing for me is what I need for training and what
services to focus on.
Thanks for the great advice! I took copious notes and everything you said made sense to me. My own business was embezzled and I did *everything* wrong, everything you said not to do I did. Nice job~any advice on getting trough my CompTiA A+ exam without babbling and drooling?
I loved your Arduino lesson.. so I decided to back to learn more... I have known you for ages but never watched your videos due to the length.. only used to watch any video that are less than 20min .. so I regret to have missed you.. you are the best.. Bucky mislead me... I couldn't get any grounds. Thanks ally Eli.
What he is saying is true and great advise. I know and have been there several times. Getting up front with your customers is what its all about.
Holy heaven ! , i must confess, Eli is the best. Your videos/ teachings made me feel like am not missing anything, kip it up boss, your the BEST.
Hi Eli,
You rock! TY!!!
I came across your webvids to update network skills when someone asked me tonight if I would be interested in building one for their Father's business. Personally and in business I've worked on many a computer/server/network and, "Yes, I too, CAN be an IT consultant!".
You covered everything to start your own business.
I'm in my first year as a real estate investor, so I just learned these things. Now, I can run 2 NEW businesses easily from my home office.
Eli, Thank you so much for your advices and life concepts.
allah bless you
Very helpful video Eli. THANK YOU!
Under Promise and over delivery + Errors and omissions insurance advice are the pieces of the puzzles that I needed. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
By far my favorite Eli the Computer Guy intro. Just hilarious.
I shall stay with your tutorials from beginner to"How to Become an IT Professional"! Thank you
Really great video Eli. Very interesting, humorous and practical. Thank so much for the valuable upload, like so many of your videos.
Eli, Thank You. You are so inspirational.
The last part of this video Eli speaks truth on power. Very true, that knocking on people's doors and advertising your company feels a bit degrading but it has to be done.
Nice video.Thanks for the bedroom appartement advice haha I'll be doing that for sure since I dont need a office!
ELI U DA BOMB DIGGITY...U HAVE OPENED THE NURONS OF MY NUGGET..U WILL BE BLESSED FOR FREE FOR TAKING TIME TO VIRUTAL EDUCATE A OUT OF WORK IT GUY....RESPECT TO A MAN THATS BEEN THER AND KEEP IT REAL.
This guy is successful in part because of his voice and attitude. He gives off a positive, professional vibe, which is good for sales.
I agree that social networking is important. When I was out of work (laid off from a major financial services company) in New York City, I made a contact at a local bar that lead to a cosulting job that lasted five years, (twice as long as the job I had just lost).
Thanks Mr.Eli for sharing this with us.
Thank you Eli for the invaluable guidance.
Appreciate your hearty sharing to start the business..
This is a nice vid. Very motivational. I believe you can start this at any age, too!
I work in tax, and my strategy for keeping the bill reasonable is that I do not bill for the time I spend learning. I just bill for the time it takes me to execute the work once I have learned what I need to do the job. I also use a timer app as part of the chrome browser to time myself. I use Casefox to keep track of clients, cases, billing, etc.
Great choice of words man u are an excellent speaker.
Thank you for the tip my man, I've been wondering how I start. No one would help me, but I think I've found the dude, who will help! Thanks!
very gracious of you to share your insight
Great break down on how to get started!
Thank you! You make a lot of sense when you talk.
Man, you are amazing
Thank you!
Thank you Mr. Eli!!! Just for fun. When you were going over DBA and named your business "Eli the computer guy." "I concocted Stevie the computer genie" Haha. Thank you so much for giving us the knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement!
when i want to learn i only watch your videos coz you are the best!!
(complete,informative,and lt more ) :)
thank you man for the great video
Thanks for all your videos .......i have learned a lot !!!
Thank you, Sir.
my guru..u r the best teacher in the world
Thank you for this video. Good advice.
Thanks Eli for the great tips!
12:44 minutes into i had to pause this video because i could no longer contain myself. YOU ARE AMAZING. i still have 49:28 of amazing to go through. honestly i am positive this video has inspired so many people, basically change their lives. i kept on procrastinating on this consultant idea for a while now, and this video has showed me that i have wasted so much time. no more wasting time!
thanks for inspiring me Eli :D
How is your life going right now bro
I must say dude you do great work for the you tube community. Hell all I watch is youtube
Keep it up bro
Step 1:Blame the distant end. Step 2:Convince them they need fiber optics and new switches. Step 3:Profit
I had a laugh when you mentioned working from home and watching TV. I am doing 2 clean installs on desktops just now and watching your videos. :-)
Useful and fact information. Thanks Eli.
You the man, Eli.
Thank you much, your soul is wonderful, you like my brother which I don't have......
Your advices also ..... Great
started from the bottom now im here
fantastic Presentation..I like it
You are a nice, real guy.
God bless you.
Veryyyyyyyyyy awesome..... Thxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!
Great information Eli!
Great Work !!
You get paid for watching a movie.. and that's GREAT! :) love this man. thanks a lot!
brother you are great , thank you
Totatlly agree on the Under Promise and over Deliver! :)
Thanks Eli!
I just got Laid off and this is exactly the pep talk I needed. Thank you bud!
Thanks old school Eli!
Yes, exactly. He's not a textbook consultant, because he does other IT work. He just talks about it because when you have your own business you can do any work you want.
Hi Eli!! Been a fan for about 10 years. Is this video still relevant on steps to become an IT consultant?
finally. i just had to create a new email account and a new you tube account because my cookies setting were stuck on off or something and would not allow me to post anything . any suggestion on how to fix this. and yes ive tried changing the settings even tried restoring them to default still had the lil cookie w a line through it in the top right corner. any other suggestions???
i like u eli you have a fun way of explaining IT and im going for my associate in PC networking an admin. security u make it easy for some one new to learn IT and how to make money KUDOS
Hello Eli. Thanks for these awesome advices. I have a question. I would like to start adverting myself as an IT consultant but I also do Photography and videography. Should I make One business card listing everything that I do or 1 card for each type of work? Thanks in advance.
NICE VIDEO. THANKS BRO.
I looked through most of the comments and didn't see this,, wondering about proof of experience? I have over 20 years experience but don't have any certs or degrees. how would I get work or trust to get work without being able to show these things? or am I just screwed... just wondering your thoughts to how I can get around this. This is also why I am having trouble getting a good job in the new area that I moved to I believe. thus why I was thinking about doing my own thing. thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Superb Video .,
I thought the LLC was to protect your personal assets vs company assets so the person suing couldn't make you sell your home/car whatever because of your businesses issue
Hey I work in support 1st / 3rd level and wish to move to project management. Can you do a video on this? I'm sick to death of running after stupid users problems and constantly being called with printer issues i feel I could make better money in pm and already have some pm qualifications.
i hated and loved this guy.. now i just randomly accept this guy. SUBBED! :D
Awesome video! Thanks for putting out quality content. It's surprising how much crap there is out there.
[I continue from my previous post] For example, if you go into physics, or math, or finance and accounting, these subjects have lots of authors and many books on the same subject that are in 14th or 15th editions. Many of these authors have BA degrees and most likely took creative writing classes. These people know how to present an abstract idea in terms that we can grasp. On the other side, however, a person with a BS or BSEE doesn't know any of this and that is the key difference.
have you done a revised version of this video which only specifies the differences from 2010 and the current year?
+silvernode +Eli the Computer Guy I think thats a great idea
+silvernode or a video in which they learn how to spell "then" properly? "It's easier THAN you think."
+Eric Dickson As a consultant he's done the traditional half assed job that'll have to be patched up later.
+Seán O'Nilbud your mom will need to be patched up later ;)
Damn.....Savage af xD
thank you very much
this it man is amazing...
Fantastic!
At first, I thought this was a spoof, but this video actually contains great advice.
Netbook would be sufficient as a 1st pc or not really?
I'm a 14 year old trying to fix computer to pay for my high school tuition i don't know about the F.E.I.N though and i'm scared.
good one!
Thanks for the info. You discourage renting office space. But if you have a home office, how do you meet the client? If you drive to their place, you may loose money on wasted trips.
He mentions that most of the time, the client wants you to go to them. The rarely uses his conference room.
Flat rate billing works best if you know how much time you are going to spend on the assignment.
how do you bill for websites? Do you make the client pay for hosting and domain with their credit card?
What courses/information is needed to do this? Networks?
What qualifications would you recommend getting to become a consultant becuase you need to be able to solve their problems using IT.
Your videos are very informative thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Thanks
if you do a written contract with a lawyer is that a one time charge for the lawyers service?
what courses in school do you need to take to be qualified in computer stuff?
I know nothing about computers how do I start?
Hi Eli - can I refer a consulting/contracting software that your users can use for
Free
The start reminds me of the Jerk. This screw driver. That's all I need... and this laptop... and this wireless card. That's all I need.