How to Succeed in the Age of Going Solo

By RICHARD GREENWALD,  Wall Street Journal, FEBRUARY 8, 2010

Anybody can become a consultant. But not everybody does it well. Here's what you need to know to thrive.

So, what do these thriving solo artists have in common? What is the recipe for their good fortune? My research points to five ingredients to keep in mind.

• Think Long Term
  
• Typically, consultants keep their edge by attending workshops or training courses. But the most successful often add another key element to their training: They teach...
  

  First, it provides some income, though admittedly not much. Second, it's a way to network, because sometimes students can become clients or lead to clients. Third, the teaching looks good on a résumé, giving consultants credibility in the marketplace and a way to stand out from the crowd. And fourth, if you're going to teach somebody the latest skills, you better have those skills yourself. So teaching forces consultants to stay current and sharp themselves.

• Join a Network
  
• Have Your Own Space
  
• Think Like an Entrepreneur