4 Great Tips When Promoting Yourself as a Contractor

Self promotion as a contractor is essential, Danbro Contractor Accountants have outlined 4 great tips for you to consider.

Create a Killer CV

The CV is still an essential tool when competing for the latest job opportunities. It's important that your CV stands out from the other two hundred that a recruitment consultant has to filter through.

It's likely that the client looking for a suitable candidate will be presented with a shortlist of CV's... Will yours be in that shortlist?

Build a Valuable Team around You

Although you are an independent contractor and perhaps feel you can go the distance on your own, it's important you develop and value those relationships which could benefit you in the longer term.

For example;

• Ensure you sign up with the right recruitment agencies
• Develop relationships with recruitment consultants that go the extra mile for you
• Keep up to date with industry news
• When you land a contract for a client, keep in contact with HR managers

Tip: For added peace of mind choose an Approved umbrella company

The whole point of building and valuing these relationships is that more opportunities will come your way; job opportunities, tax saving advice, introductions and so forth.

Discover Your Personal Brand

Get a piece of paper and write down what you specialise in and what value you can offer to others. Is there anyone else out on the net offering good, helpful advice to others in your niche?

If not, or perhaps you feel you could contribute further, there is a real opportunity to create your personal brand.

• For example, Joel Comm has mastered the Google Adsense niche and brands himself using his name... why not do the same?

You can become known as an expert within your field by simply contributing in forums, linkedin, twitter, article sites, blogger and more, which all can lead to recommendations and further business opportunities for you to grasp.

Founder of E-Academy, Penny Power said "By feeding others, you will feed yourself", which I think sums up the above tip quite well.

Tip: Effectively promote yourself as a contractor today and have a brighter future tomorrow.

Do as You Say

You've probably watched Watchdog before. Well usually there are a few unscrupulous companies on the programme where they've made promises to customers but never deliver on those promises and it's the same in the contracting world.

• It's important that if you promote yourself as holding a particular skill set, that you can deliver the end product.

You should brush up on your skills through courses, books, e-books, useful articles and anything else that will improve your knowledge, which you can apply on future contracts, leading to yet more opportunities as a sought after contractor.