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  • 1.  How do solo consultants handle mailing address and phone number?

    Posted 02-27-2023 12:14

    As I approach retirement from my several "regular" jobs, I hope to remain statistically active by offering consultation and training to public sector/public service/healthcare agencies (broadly defined), on a part time basis. That's where my experience lies. This would be solo.

    I've been thinking about business addresses and phone numbers. For those in solo consulting:

    1. Do you have an office for your consulting? Work from home? If from home, what mailing address do you use for business matters? Home address? Rent a PO Box? Something else?

    2. What phone number do you use for your business? Not asking for your phone number here :)  But do you use/publicize your cell or home phone number? Get a dedicated business number (wired line or some sort of VoIP service? Something else?

    Thanks.

    -Chris



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    Christopher Ryan
    Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    SUNY Upstate Clinical Campus
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  • 2.  RE: How do solo consultants handle mailing address and phone number?

    Posted 02-27-2023 13:25

    I used the Hushed app for a phone number (~$5/month). I can receive calls and texts but I don't need another phone. I also use it for situations when I need to provide a number but don't want to give my personal number.

    Robyn



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    Robyn Ball
    Computational Scientist
    The Jackson Laboratory
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  • 3.  RE: How do solo consultants handle mailing address and phone number?

    Posted 02-27-2023 16:42

    I give out my home address and cell phone and no one has ever abused it. To be honest, almost all my initial contacts come through email or social media (Linked In).

    If you share a landline phone with family members, make sure they know how to handle a call if you are not at home. I have a 20 year old son living at home who I would not want to see unleashed into the world of Statistics.

    I don't see any reason to get a business address of P.O. Box instead of a home address, unless you think it makes you look more professional. Don't use your day job's address as your consulting address, of course.



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    Stephen Simon, blog.pmean.com
    Independent Statistical Consultant
    P. Mean Consulting
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  • 4.  RE: How do solo consultants handle mailing address and phone number?

    Posted 03-22-2023 10:56

    Thanks for your perspectives, everyone!

    --Chris



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    Christopher Ryan
    Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine
    SUNY Upstate Clinical Campus
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    Original Message