How to Set Up for Influence

We know we have a lot of people in our community here at IDOU who are working as consultants or they're working in freelance capacities. When you're new in that sort of a capacity, what are some of your recommendations for how to set up for influence probably quite quickly and strategically? If you are an external consultant or an agency working with a client on a new project, you are behind these extra thick virtual curtains because you're on the outside of that organization.