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Welcome to our Freelancer/Consultant Page!

Self-Assessments

• Freelancer Self-Assessment (LifeHacker)
• Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment: 15 Questions Every Would-Be Entrepreneur Should Ask
  
• Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment (Western Economic Diversification Canada)
• Assess Your Entrepreneurial Characteristics (Mentors, Ventures & Plans)
• "Starting a Business" Questionnaire (MetLife)
  
• The Entrepreneur Test (Liraz Publishing)
• Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? (Monster.com)
• Entrepreneurship Self-Assessment (University of Warwick - UK)
• Could you be your own boss? (Mazemaster - Canada)
• Entrepreneur Quiz (AYN Employment Centre - Canada)
• "The Quiz" (Center for Entrepreneurship Education and Development)
• Entrepreneurial Assessment (WorkInk.com)
• Are you cut out to be an entrepreneur? (Let's Talk Business - Prairie Public Television)
• What's your entrepreneurial personality type? (Entrepreneur.com)
• Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment Test (Columbia Group)
  

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Related Resources

Consultant Journal: "Learn how to become a consultant — and survive as one! Our Become a Consultant series covers the trials and tribulations of consulting, along with helpful tips on basics like how to become a consultant, set consulting fees, invoice, and more."

About.com: "Becoming a consultant, either as part of a team or partnership, or as a freelance practitioner, can be a rewarding experience, in both lifestyle and earnings. However, career decisions are among the most difficult and significant we make in our lives."

Freelance Living: " Through a plethora of articles, we provide a useful guide for independent professionals, free agents and freelancers."

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Helpful Articles

• Spotting Scams Among Home-Based Work Ads (Rat Race Rebellion)
• Home is Where the Scam Is (Forbes)
  
• Consulting Means You Eat What You Kill (Career Lab)
• How to Work at Home As a Freelancer (Home Biz Tools)
• So, you want to be a consultant (UnixWiz)
• Do I need a license to become a consultant? (About.com)
• Become a Consultant (AskMen.com)
• How to start a consulting business (Entrepreneur.com)
• How to start a successful consulting business (HomePowerBiz.com)
• Starting a consulting business (Canada Business)
• 25 Steps for Starting a Consulting Business (New Mexico State University)
• How to Freelance Your Expertise (Entrepreneur.com)
• Podcast Your Way to Freelance Success (About.com)
• Job Market Got You Down? Try Freelance Opportunities (USA Today)
• How To Become an Independent Contractor (Totse.com)
• Working as an Independent Contractor (Nolo.com)
• From Independent Contractor to Business Owner: How to Take the Leap (SitePoint)

Direct Sales / Direct Marketing Companies
Whether it's the "ding-dong" of Avon or the Tupperware "burp," we are all familiar with at least a handful of Direct Sales / Direct Marketing companies. Most require the purchase of a startup kit, and product consultants are typically paid a commission based on a percentage of sales.

The following list includes some of the better known Direct Sales companies, and a few others that we've been hearing good things about.

• Avon - cosmetics, jewelry, skin care, fragrance, more
• Discovery Toys - educational toys, books, software, more
• HerbalLife - weight loss products, personal care, nutrition
• Home Interiors - home decorating, candles, artwork, accessories
• Jafra Cosmetics - cosmetics and skin care
• Lady Emily - mineral makeup, skin care, more
  
• Mary Kay - cosmetics, skin care, more
• Pampered Chef - cookware, bakeware, kitchen tools, more
• PartyLite - candles, gifts, home decorating
• Princess House - tableware, cookware, bakeware, more
• Shaklee - health and wellness products
• Southern Living At Home - home decorating, garden, kitchen, more
• Spa Girl Parties - sea salts, spa products, creams, more
• Tastefully Simple - gourmet foods
• Top Line Creations - scrapbooking
• Tupperware - plastic food storage, more
  
• VeggieTales Moms - VeggieTales products
• Watkins - food, pharmacy, gifts, more

Freebies & Cheapies for freelancers

• Register now for a FREE online Brainbench Skills Test.
  
• Stop Missing Important Calls While Online! Only $3.95 Per Month After 30 Day Trial!
• FREE Notecards from VistaPrint.com! - Free Business Cards too!
  
• Access Your PC from Anywhere - Free Trial plus $10 Off!
  
• eHealthInsurance offers the largest selection of health plans. Compare & Apply Online, Free instant quotes, Best prices, and Live help!
  
• GoDaddy.com Hosting Plans - (We highly recommend this service.)
• GoToMeeting: Free Trial + $10 Off!
  

Recommended Reading

• The 2-Second Commute: Join the Exploding Ranks of Freelance Virtual Assistants - Christine Durst and Michael Haaren
• Freelancing for Dummies - Susan M. Drake
• Starting Your Career As a Freelance Writer - Moira Anderson Allen
• How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator - Corinne McKay
• Starting Your Career as a Freelance Photographer: The Complete Marketing, Business, and Legal Guide - Tad Crawford
• Successful Freelancing: The Complete Guide to Establishing and Running Any Kind of Freelance Business - Marian Faux
• Getting Started in Consulting, Second Edition - Alan Weiss
• The Consultant's Quick Start Guide: An Action Plan for Your First Year in Business - Elaine Beich
  

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