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How do I get paid for an online consulting business?

By Lena West

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

I would like to start an online consulting business, and I'm not sure where to begin. I have contacts who work for popular websites and local popular radio stations, and I plan to sit down with them and discuss ideas. But I'm stumped on ways I can receive compensation for providing consulting services online.

It's great that you're already thinking about ways you can leverage your network.

I would highly suggest that you write a business plan to help you map out exactly what you're going to be doing in your business, the best way for you to deliver your services and your revenue streams.

Many people balk at writing a business plan, but it doesn't have to be a stuffy process. A book that makes it fun and interative is The One Page Business Plan by Jim Horan.

Or, if you prefer to use software, I highly recommend the website bplans.com, engineered by the folks at Palo Alto Software.

Good luck

Lena

Lena West is the CEO and Chief Strategist of xynoMedia Technology, a New York-based firm that helps high-growth companies leverage the power of social media, blogs, podcasts and online communities.

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