Ten Things to Consider When Transitioning From an Association Professional to a Consultant

Making the transition from association professional to consultant can be both exciting and challenging. Drawing on the experiences of four consultants who successfully made the leap, we hae compiled 10 considerations that will help you evaluate the opportunity, prepare for the change and build a successful consulting practice.

1. Define your niche clearly.

Pick an area of focus, whether it be the types of products you provide, the function, the type of association, etc. In a world where everyone can do everything, trust is built in specializing in something you have a proven track record of experience in. Bonus tip: Pilot the idea with others. Sometimes, the niche is not what the market needs, so it’s a careful balance between both your niche and something that the market desires.

2. Build a financial runway.

Before you make the leap into consulting, aim to have enough funds set aside to cover at least three to six months of personal and business expenses. You may land your first engagement quickly, but the next one could take months to materialize. A healthy financial buffer gives you the flexibility to make conservative choices early on and avoid accepting work simply because you need immediate cash flow.

Please select this link to read the complete article from ASAE's Center for Association Leadership.