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Beyond the Big Agencies Podcast
*Top Episodes*

Episode 2

A Guide to Start Directly Contracting with Schools

Listen

Episode 3

A Guide to Setting Your Rate as a Direct Contractor

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Episode 4

Navigating School Contract Sales

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Episode 6

Three Paths to Take Your Contracting Business

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The Therapist Support Network Blog

Securing School Contracts After the School Year Has Started: Top Tips for SLP, OT, and PT Contractors Aug 14, 2024

As a school-based SLP, OT, or PT contractor, you might think that once the school year has started, your chances of securing a contract are slim.

However, the opposite is often true, especially for virtual contractors.

Many contractors actually secure their initial contracts after the school year ha...

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Streamline Your School Contracts: A Guide to Onboarding with Ease Aug 06, 2024

What is onboarding? Onboarding is the process that takes place between a contract being signed and the start of billable services. It's about obtaining everything you need from your school to hit the ground running as a contract business.

The onboarding process is crucial for ensuring your direct co...

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When it Rains, it Pours: Approaches When a School Has a Larger Need Than You Can Cover Jul 16, 2024

As SLP, OT, or PT direct school contractors, it’s common to encounter situations where the demand from a school exceeds what you can provide. Navigating these scenarios requires strategic decision-making to ensure your business needs and mission are met. 

Here are different ways to handle a s

...
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5 Tips for Getting Started as a Direct School Contractor Jul 02, 2024

Venturing into the realm of direct school contracting as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), occupational therapist (OT), or physical therapist (PT) can be both exciting and daunting.  

Here are five tips to help you navigate this journey and set yourself up for success (regardless of what time of t...

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Am I Ready to Hire? The Pros and Cons of Expanding Your School Contracting Business! Jun 25, 2024

As a contractor providing speech-language pathology (SLP), occupational therapy (OT), or physical therapy (PT) services to school districts, expanding your practice by hiring or subcontracting out additional providers can be a significant step. It brings the potential for growth, increased revenue, ...

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Leveraging Your Summer to Obtain School Contracts Jun 13, 2024

A common misconception is that the best time to secure school contracts is in the spring, just before the new school year. However, many districts are still hoping for an in-house hire or haven't yet decided to part ways with their current staffing agency.

This reality makes the summer an ideal time...

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Hiring for Schools: The Chicken and Egg of Staffing Additional Contracts Jun 06, 2024

As a business owner, I frequently encounter a common question when it comes to staffing additional Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Physical Therapists (PTs) for school contracts: should you secure the contract first or hire the provider first?

The answer isn'...

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Mastering School Sales: Top Strategies for SLP, OT, and PT Contractors May 28, 2024

Are you an SLP, OT, or PT looking to expand your contracting business with schools? Navigating the school sales process can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can secure and manage direct contracts that ensure consistent annual growth. In this blog, we’ll explore proven techniques th...

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Navigating Summers as a School Contractor: Tips for Financial Planning and Supplemental Income May 14, 2024

Are you a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Occupational Therapist (OT), or Physical Therapist (PT) direct school contractor—or aspiring to be one—wondering what to do during the summer months when schools are closed or operating at a summer capacity?

While having summers off can be a perk of the j...

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Embracing the "Soft Life" with School Contracting: Finding Comfort and Control May 01, 2024

Have you ever heard of the term "soft life"? It's defined as a lifestyle of comfort and relaxation with minimal challenges or stress. While navigating the sales process in school contracting can be demanding, the overall experience can indeed cater to a softer lifestyle.

Let's explore why school co...

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Maximizing Your School Contracting Business: 3 Paths to Success Apr 23, 2024

As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Occupational Therapist (OT), or Physical Therapist (PT), the opportunity to directly contract with schools offers a pathway to elevate your business and achieve professional fulfillment. However, the journey isn't a one-size-fits-all, and that's actually one o...

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For Schools: The Benefits of Working with a Direct Contractor (as Opposed to a Large Staffing Agency) Apr 17, 2024

I am so very excited to write this blog because it's the topic I am MOST passionate about--The Case for the Direct Contractor!   

In the world of school staffing, bigger isn't always better.  There's a compelling case to be made for supporting and championing small businesses (e.g. direct contractors...

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