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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on Six ways IT consultants can build their reputation ]]></title>
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        <title><![CDATA[building my rep.]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-3428989]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I am building my company brand by determining what the market is looking for, and giving it to them.  To do this, I am mostly using word of mouth at this point.  I go to network functions and promote myself there, and then do quality work and follow up with my customers.  I have had others speak up for me and my company at several chamber of commerce functions and these testimonials are helping.  I have a website as well that is being redone with a copywriter helping write the material with a focus on SEO, so when people look for a consultant, they should find me.  My company is 16 months old, and my reputation is slowly getting out as a reliable person you can ask questions of, and find answers.  I answer questions on Microsoft technet forum as well, and give reliable answers, and have seen several been marked as a correct answer by moderators.  This seems to be the best, and lowest cost way to promote oneself and build a reputation.  I also use social media to be a resource for others who are not in IT. If you look at the company facebook page (www.facebook.com/appconllc) it is filled with links to other websites and can be a great resource for a person to find information on IT all in one area.  Videos on the website are also a great way to build your reputation, the more your a resource online, the more people will come to you for help.]]></description>
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        <dc:creator><![CDATA[slatimer76@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:02:03 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Six ways IT consultants can build their reputation]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-3343083]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have build a number of businesses on word of mouth, this is the easiest way to build a strong cash healthy business.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-3343083]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Surgeforward]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:04:22 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Absolutely]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2627643]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[My contracts often get extended for years.  There's no better reputation boost than being able to point to those kinds of long-term relationships.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2627643]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:20:08 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Frequent renewals goes along with that...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2627353]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[As a contractor to government in the UK, contracts are often for a month or two only -- but if you get the job done and get along well with the customer -- frequent renewals are a positive result.My last one-month contracted was extended three times -- and would have continued to be extended for a full year had I not wanted to take a couple of months off.The current contract has already been extended once and will also be extended probably to the end of the project maybe 6 or 7 months from now.Going along with that, it helps to have a string of successful projects in the same vertical or with the same branch or government department.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2627353]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marty R. Milette]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:04:46 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Fer Sure]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2490449]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA['Round here we see to have more people somewhat remotely working than working remotely.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2490449]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[MavMin2]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2008 04:58:14 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Well, it helps...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2489312]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... to be working remotely most of the time ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2489312]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 02 May 2008 09:32:46 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[You are a King!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2487960]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I don't have such luxuries.  Doing that 'round heah is a sure way of not only changing your reputation but also your location from work to welfare. Besides, if I don't answer the phone they will bombard my email or shashay right into my cube.  I can't even run let alone hide.  You are obviously a King in your organization whereas I am just a peon and most people do.  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2487960]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[MavMin2]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2008 05:31:21 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[I hardly ever answer the phone any more...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2487327]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... and both my voicemail and my email client provide a very handy feature called &quot;delete&quot;.If you don't want or need the business, don't give it any attention.  Eventually it will go away.That might sound rude, but you can be polite the first few times.  After that, it becomes &quot;what part of NO didn't you understand?&quot;]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2487327]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:18:43 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Oh for such liberty!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2486418]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Being able to say no is a wonderful deal if you are able to do so, but with manpower shortages once you attain knowledge you are always the one they will come to. I have sent many emails saying that I am no longer in the old position, but at my place even when you change jobs you often do the old and the new for some period of time, if not forever.  I suspect when I retire I will get phone calls or emails for some time after.  It is just a way of life.  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2486418]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[MavMin2]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:52:45 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Too popular]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2483784]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Yeah, me too.  In the early days I used to eat it up and take on jobs that I had no business doing.  Learning when to say &quot;no&quot; to a prospect is just as important as building your client base.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2483784]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:48:02 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Six ways IT consultants can build their reputation]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2483324]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Word of mouth is one of the best ways to build a reputation, but it has its downside.  In the eighteen years I have been at this job I havehad people come to me for items not in my technical expertise or things that are managerial thinking I am much further up in the organization than I am.  Why?  Well, unlike the common stereotype for IT folks I am personable or approachable.  I am not the guru on the hill. I'm the Doc assigned to cure your ill. I'm usually right when I tell them something because I am not afraid to say I don't know and won't just give an answer to appear I know what I don't know.  I will pass them to the person who has the skill or authority to get what they want done.  I will also tell them when I think they will nt get exactly what they want but will offer them plausible alternatives or a way to incrementally achieve their goal.  I routinely share information via email that educates the users on protocol, policies or products that will enhance their efficiency in their current position and possibly help them to advance into an IT career or just advance in their current one.  That makes me very popular but sometimes way too popular. Also, those who are still old school bow to me the guru types get miffed that I would share &quot;our secrets&quot; with the minions.  I once received a call from a site out of state because they heard that I was an expert on a system that really I had heard of but never worked with in any way.  There are days I wish I could change my name because I get too popular but I prefer the excessive popularity over the complaints that I hear about co-workers and IT people in general. Maybe that is why so many hoard knowledge and remain aloof requiring a clearance to gain a hearing and demand their token ring be kissed.  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2483324]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[MavMin2]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:17:52 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Thanks! (and point taken)]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2468798]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Hi Chip, great to hear from you and thanks a lot for your interest. I'll be in touch.Re: the so-so web site, I completely agree. Lots of improvements to come as we ramp up towards beta launch.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2468798]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[amittal@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:00:32 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[I signed up...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2468776]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... for the upcoming beta.Your site is a bit heavy, and contains a lot of verbiage that doesn't tell me much.  Hopefully you'll clean up your message before the beta.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2468776]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:35:48 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[#7: Be transparent]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2468200]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Being as transparent as possible--setting clients up so they know what to expect, explaining things honestly and openly, etc--can go a long way in building credibility and trust, which in turn go a long way in building up your reputation as an IT consultant. I actually have had the opportunity to work with IT workers for several years and have found that being able to  objectively prove to clients that one is trustworthy can be a difficult task, particularly for new clients. In part in response to those observations, I started Crederity, a web service currently in pre-release mode, to help IT consultants and others to better establish trust. Check out http://www.crederity.com if you have a moment, you may find it helpful.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2468200]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[amittal@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:00:47 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Emphasise recent success]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464801]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a successful project manager &quot;You're only as good as your last project&quot;. He would meet a prospective client and if appropriate present them with a letter of recommendation from his most recent/current project. If they want to know about other past projects that's fine, it's all in the resume. But he sells the most recent project.The reverse is also true - stuff up your last project and word gets around...]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464801]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[rob_o]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:54:07 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Six ways IT consultants can build their reputation]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464654]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Word of mouth: your clients have to be willing to do that, mine love me but they never spread the word.  Better is to ask your client about meetings, trade type, that they may attend on a regular basis so that you can speak DIRECTLY to new clients on this referral basis.  Now you've got to have good presentation skills to do that (I have a past career in sales and marketing, which helps) but this is far more effective.Local Crisis - make your own word of mouth.  A local electrical company cut through a 1,500 cable trunk line in a medical pavillion - I support one doctor there, a big practice, out of maybe 6 other smaller ones so I took this crisis as a chance for positive cold-calling with card and working the pavillion to keep new of the internet and phone outage as I discovered it to all the local professionals.  This was a super way to meet people.  Followup this week.Blown Accounts: I've lost a few through bad events and things, recognize these failings and make sure never to repeat them.  Do not cross-connect with tech support firms (running cable) that use cheap stuff.  Also front office staff can be enormously powerful influencers.  Never make them mad.  Newsletters; send them out, if you write one and send out 50 and get 2 pieces of interest, it's good.  Trust me, these things work.  And with Vista we have a TON OF STUFF to write about.  (Write with technical ease and a bit of humor too).Seminars: Local library, and sometimes they pay money too.  Bring cards.Networking Nights; many local organizations exist precisely for small business networking.  More cards needed.  Oh, www.vistaprint.com for business cards.My 5 cents.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464654]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[reisen55@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:12:28 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Networking is a toss of the dice...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464472]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Having been actively consulting for over 15 years, I must add that volunteer work shouldn't be confused with 'networking'.If you want to help an organization, and have the time and resources to do it -- great -- just don't expect any business to necessarily follow. In fact, what often happens is that the organization may become dependent on you as a free source of labor, as has happened with a friend of mine.He justifies it as 'networking' but in actuality, he now spends so much time doing unpaid work that he can't even support himself.I've been through similar experiences myself -- by joining all the local 'boards of trade' and other professional associations -- only to find that just about everyone is there to look for work as well.As mentioned in the article, one of the best ways to build a reputation is to do a great job, and use the references and portfolio from that job to springboard to the next.You also can't build a reputation blathering about pie-in-the-sky dream projects you WANT to work on. Talk is cheap -- as Henry Ford put it, &quot;You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.&quot;]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464472]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marty R. Milette]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:51:56 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Six ways IT consultants can build their reputation]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464468]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[this was allaws the it problem, and this artical has saw it all. As an IT person we have to advertise your work from time to time.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464468]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[madani]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:34:35 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[RE: Six ways IT consultants can build their reputation]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464456]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Good advices if you are selling yourself but I would be very careful as hiring you. The problem today is, and has been a while, any credentials have to be taken with a grade of salt. Now, word of the mouth is still the best but difficult for new in this field. Specialize - I would disagree a little - consulting work often covers more than what you think, only if you can get a very specific contract you can get away with that. Web site definitely - if you have strong opinions and know the field, otherwise may not be a good idea. Conversation is always good - just don't get upset if the other end is not on the same level, you are the consultant after all - why else they would contact / comment? Free samples, be careful today, if it isn't open source or protected by some other license - your old employers / contacts can come after you - the sad situation today. Insider is always good, assuming they like you (heh!)]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2464456]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[tuomo@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:13:03 -0700</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Wow, how did you get involved in that?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2460366]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[But you're right -- any positive reputation-building will eventually come back to you.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-258510-2460366]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:01:18 -0700</pubDate>
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