1008 - Consulting 101: An introductory workshop for evaluators who want to start consulting practices

Abstract Information: Independent consulting. Side hustle. Entrepreneur. Small business owner. If these terms resonate with you and your goals, then this workshop is for you. More than 20% of AEA members are independent or have independent consulting side jobs. This workshop will provide you with key understandings to initiate an independent consulting practice including niche identification, marketing approaches, organizational structures, and finances. Laura Keene and Matt Feldmann both have thriving consulting practices and will share their insights for how you can develop your practice through valuable samples, worksheets, and insider tips. This lively workshop will help set you up to take your next steps in developing an independent consulting practice.

Relevance Statement: How is it relevant? This session has been offered consistently for 30 years because there is an ongoing and renewable interest in developing independent consulting practices. The Independent Consulting Topical Interest Group is regularly one of the largest TIGs and is considered to be the most active. The Independent Consulting Topic Chats, which include much of the material from these workshops have been conducted weekly for four years. The average registration for the Zoom meetings from January 4 - February 15, 2024 was 104 individuals. This workshop is consistent with the AEA Guiding Principle of Competence: "Ensure that the evaluation team possesses the education, abilities, skills, and experiences required to complete the evaluation competently." Those who have or are interested in starting their own practice need to develop a whole new set of skills in addition to those required to plan and implement evaluation projects including marketing, business development, human resources, and more. This workshop teaches participants those skills and connects them with other people and resources so they can continue to learn as they develop their practice.