2) I assume you’re charging by time. In that case do some research on what your local competitors charge and find a balance between that average amount and what

2) I assume you’re charging by time. In that case do some research on what your local competitors charge and find a balance between that average amount and what you’re comfortable with based on your experience. Don’t be afraid of increasing prices. Once you get some experience under your belt, look at value-based income[1]. 3) I do a guesstimate on how much I can actually work in a week - a bit more than the 20 hours you have, but not 40 - and allocate clients to that time. Most of my current clients are people I have worked with in some capacity, but going to meetups and talking to people about your business helps get new clients as well. Always be selling, even to friends. 4) Ironically I get more social interaction now than when I had a full-time job, mostly due to compressing my work schedule which offers more flexibility for meeting with people (having lunch with others in my industry, going to meetups earlier and staying later to network, etc.). I suggest just working your damn hardest during the day so you save enough time to get some proper social interaction after work. Co-working spaces are another avenue, but if anything I found people less talkative in these setups than an actual office (in Ottawa at least). 5) Think about getting an accountant, even if you think you don’t need one. Sooner or later you’ll need their help for some trivial thing you didn’t account for, such as signing a new apartment lease and being able to prove your income. And be open to collaborations if possible. Working with other consultants on a project that they can’t quite get off the ground will help both of you than working individually. [1] http://breakingthetimebarrier.freshbooks.com/ http://breakingthetimebarrier.freshbooks.com/