1. So You Want to Be a Consultant
David Irwin
Language Development Opportunities LLC
WABE Annual Conference
April 21, 2017

2. How it Looks From Here Rewarding! Apply and grow your skills
Meet other savvy professionals
Great conversations
Unexpected opportunities
Travel
10 years as Language Development Opportunities
(1st invoice May 29, 2007 Ocean Beach)
And… there is no boss but you!

3. But Why Leave the Security of Your Job?
No guarantees
No medical or retirement benefits
You travel a lot + Δ
Ease into it --- ask for .8 or .6 fte

4. What’s Your Idea? Why do you want to be a consultant?
What is you focus/mission?
What can you offer clients that other
consultants aren’t already offering?

5. Make it Legal Business License from Dept of Revenue (DOR)
UBI – comes with the license
Statewide Vendor Number -- IF you plan to contract with OSPI
LLC – Contrary to popular belief, corporations aren’t people. You can’t be sued as you, only as your business.

6. The T Word -- Taxes You are now the employer and the employee
Federal – pay estimated taxes quarterly
State B&O – probably pay quarterly, they will tell you
Send W-9’s to every district – with business name
Deduct everything that has anything to do with your business.
Accountant or Quicken Home & Business and Turbo Tax Home & Business
1099-MISC forms come from districts, not W-2’s

7. Insurance
Business liability insurance. Many districts are asking now. ~$2200 per year
Protects you and the district from lawsuits for specific purposes
Health & disability – there is none. Have a spouse with a job with benefits? Obamacare?
Workers Comp -- nope
Retirement – it’s on you

8. Travel on! Have a sturdy car
Start accounts at hotel chains and save points/miles
Mileage app or Google maps
Get an airline miles credit card
Include travel in your fee, don’t charge it separately
You can deduct it, but not if you’re reimbursed for it

9. Charge What?
Most folks I know of who will talk about it: ~$ $2500 a day
Average in the $1500 range
More if you’re published
You are charging for prep time, products, presentation and travel. And your charming personality!
For multiple day visits, some people charge more for the first day, less for subsequent days

10. Managing Resources Website Build you own at www.wordpress.com
Or hire a designer ~$ $5000
Blog
MailChimp or Constant Contact or online
Dropbox or other cloud storage

11. Billing Contracts Use a lawyer-made form
Include all agreed-on work; you & district sign before starting
Include late payment fee
Many districts want to use their own. If you’re happy with theirs, fine.
Invoice
Include dates and details of each visit to the district
They won’t pay without one

12. Advertising (it’s deductible!)
Logo
Facebook
You Tube
Newsletter
Business cards
Swag
Present at conferences