Let Freedom Ring! Tips for Becoming an Independent Information Professional

@theinfohound1 Jennifer Burke, IntelliCraft Research

Let Freedom Ring! Highlights + Top Tips for Being an

Independent Information Professional

@theinfohound1 Jennifer Burke, IntelliCraft Research

WHAT IS FREEDOM FOR INFO PROS?

@theinfohound1 Jennifer Burke, IntelliCraft Research

You aren’t free …

YET

@theinfohound1 Jennifer Burke, IntelliCraft Research

MY FREEDOM TRAIL

Libraries + Marketing Consulting = Independent Info Pro

FREEDOM

WHAT WILL YOUR TRAIL BE?

@theinfohound1 Jennifer Burke, IntelliCraft Research

TOP TIPS FOR BEING AN IIPFrom Dozens of Independent Information Professionals

THINKING LIKE A BUSINESS PERSON

Cash flowProject management

Accounting

Finances

Subcontracting

Client developmentMarketing Marketing

Marketing

Marketing

Pricing/Fees

Value

Marketing

“You have to think like a business person and not just focus on the research.”

“My work is valuable and I must charge accordingly.”

MARKETING

Networking

Marketing Plan

Speaking

Follow-up

Client development

VisibilityTarget Market

Visibility Credibility

WritingEmail

Consistency

Niche / Specialty

“Don’t underestimate how much time it takes to market your business.”

“Initially, I should’ve spent the majority of my time learning how to market myself + my services, creating a plan, implementing it, and adjusting my marketing as needed.”

TARGET MARKET“Be completely clear that the market you want to serve wants, needs and will pay for your services!”

“Be able to define your niche very,

very, very specifically and

make sure you love working with those types of clients. It

makes marketing far more effective.”

TIME MANAGEMENT

“Flexible hours! But the busiest times are nights, weekends and holidays.”

“Time management and office efficiency are key things I didn’t know to think about… Knowing your work style for time management is HUGE!”

“Clients/potential clients work on their own timeline. It usually takes longer than anticipated to get sign off on large projects.”

YOU NEED SUPPORT

“Make sure you can financially survive the ups and downs.”

“It’s ok to begin your business part-time while a full-time job supports you. Test the waters! Just be prepared to give up a lot of evenings and weekends.”

“I knew, but didn’t appreciate how much non-billable time surrounds every project and in-between projects.”

AND MORE SUPPORT

“Hire out the things you don’t want or need to get good at (logo development, taxes, health insurance shopping, etc.”

“Partner with others to extend your reach. Share liberally. Be generous with your knowledge.”

“There is a solid community of info pros out there – you are not alone. No matter what your niche, your type of info business, you do not have to do it in isolation. There are books, courses and of course AIIP”

COMMUNITY

“Join an organization like AIIP before you launch + stay active and engaged. You can tap into the significant knowledge and experience of really smart and generous colleagues.”

“Engage with a coach or mentor

early on. Be honest and open to

feedback. Explore if this is the right path

for you. Let your mentor help you get

on your feet …and moving forward.”

@theinfohound1 Jennifer Burke, IntelliCraft Research

“I wish I had known the kind of lifestyle being independent would afford me! Yes, challenges abound and there are times of stress, but overall … it has been a great

privilege to have the freedom and flexibility on top of sometimes demanding deadlines. Oh I only wish I’d made the move sooner!”

Jennifer E. Burke – jburke@intellicraftresearch.com

@theinfohound1 www.theinfohound.com