Welcome to the inaugural Bridge Staffing Digest!

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Independent contractors (ICs) can charge for their services in a variety of ways, such as a fixed amount for an entire project, an hourly fee, or a sales commission. No matter how you bill clients, however, you first need to figure out how much to charge -- even if you charge a fixed fee for the whole project. You can't determine how much your fixed fee should be unless you know roughly how many hours the job will take and what you need to earn per hour to make it worth your while.

With an increase in the use of contractors by companies, and more people choosing to become consultants or other sole proprietors, it is more important than ever to make sure that you understand the rules that the IRS uses in determining worker classification. Getting the worker classification correct upfront is important for both the candidate and the employer. It affects taxes, eligibility for benefits, and how one files tax returns. It is important to remember that all the evidence must be considered when making a determination—no single factor can be used alone.

When your organization is faced with problems that won't go away, a consultant may be your answer. In the long run, you can save time and money by funding the right assistance to help you overcome a current obstacle or avoid costly mistakes in the future. A good consultant, looking at your situation objectively, should be able to identify and implement the solution to the problem more quickly and efficiently than you or your staff. The trick is knowing what types of problems warrant a consultant's services. Here are basic guidelines.

As a consultant, you are selling information to others. You have worked for years at your full time job and you have developed experience and knowledge that will be invaluable to other people. Your knowledge is what you are selling. Now you must market yourself and convince others that you have the answers to their problems; that you have already faced the problems and conquered them.

Independent contractors (ICs) can charge for their services in a variety of ways, such as a fixed amount for an entire project, an hourly fee, or a sales commission. No matter how you bill clients, however, you first need to figure out how much to charge -- even if you charge a fixed fee for the whole project. You can't determine how much your fixed fee should be unless you know roughly how many hours the job will take and what you need to earn per hour to make it worth your while.

Getting testimonials from clients can help build your expert status. Once you figure out how to get testimonials, you can ramp up your credibility. That’s because, when your prospective clients see the words of others who are happy with your services, they’re more likely to believe in what you have to offer. In other words, a testimonial can help sell people on the merits of your services. If other people are willing to attach their name to positive feedback about you, it implies that you’re the real deal.