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Counseling Tips When Online Counseling:

 1.  Be prepared just as you would be in an in-person session.  Read our counseling preparation page.

2.  When you can, translate important documents you wish to share with your counselor into PDF format. 
(PDF format is easily read by most computers).  Email documents in advance of your session to your counselor.

3.  Respect your counselor's time
and be ready at the mutually agreed upon time.

4.  Find a quiet place where you will not be distracted while on the phone, on Skype, etc. 

5.  Organize files on your computer
so you can find things quickly, email documents quickly, and/or take notes during the counseling session.

6.  Follow-up with your counselor as he/she may request.

Grow Online With Small Business Counseling

About Online Small Business Counseling

Small business counseling online is a great approach when you need counseling and the following situations may apply:

  • you're far enough away from a SCORE office that travel is inconvenient, costly, or difficult
  • you can't counsel during reasonable work times
  • you need expertise that is not available in your local SCORE chapter
  • you're moving to a different location and want to establish a relationship with SCORE in the new location
  • you simply want the convenience of counseling out of your own office
  • you have documents that are cumbersome to share online

Even in the days of web cams, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google Applications there is something to be said for sitting across the table and talking sincerely about your business, your dreams, and your problems.  You might try at least the first counseling session face-to-face (or in-person) if you can manage to get to a SCORE office or meet with SCORE locally.  Then move to email and online methods with the counselor that you have developed a rapport with.

If that is not possible or you want to start online from day one, here is an approach that will work.  This approach is for online counseling only:

  • Register for counseling with SCORE using either the First Time Visitor or Returning Visitor options.  This process will collect basic information from you allowing SCORE to help.
  • Then go to www.score.org.  To the right of the blue area near the top, you will see drop down boxes to select a state, or to enter a keyword about what you wish to be counseled on.  Make your selections and click on "Go". See Figure 1 below.
  • A page of results will be returned that has numerous volunteer counselors for the area you selected.  You may select the "
    Learn More About .... option to view the counselor's bio.  Or you may select the counselor of your choice to proceed to the next step. Should you view counselors' bios, you can pick the counselor of your choice right from their bio page.
  • Another form will appear as indicated by the image Figure 2 below.  Complete the form.  The counselor will receive your request for counseling and will have 48 hours to reply to you.  You will then mutually agree on a counseling time.
  • If the counselor you selected is unable to counsel you, you will receive email notification to select another counselor. Just repeat the process and make another counselor selection.
Selecting an Area & Topic for Counseling Providing Information for Your Selected Counselor
Figure 1. Selecting an Area & Topic Figure 2. Providing Input to the Counselor
In the EIGERLab 605 Fulton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103 Office: 815-962-0122 FAX: 815-962-0122  Email: info@NorthernIllinoisSCORE.org
At Belvidere Chamber of Commerce 130 So. State Street, Suite 300 Belvidere, IL 61008 Phone: 815-544-4357 FAX: 815-962-0122 
Copyright Symbol2009-2010 SCORE Chapter 574Spacer Last Updated February 9, 2010