31–40 of 51 posts
You can go on Hired and Triplebyte to find contracting gigs.
With both, all their questions where either algorithms, or multiple choice questions about some quirky things in the language. Either stuff you wouldn't need, or things you would test / look up. I'll never understand how this is an acceptable way to screen engineers.
Soon to be move out of the United States if the Democrats pass the Pro Act.
You can go on Hired and Triplebyte to find contracting gigs.
I shared everything I’ve learned working as a contractor for 12 years in this video series - https://learnetto.com/tutorials/why-should-you-become-a-cont...
I’m a consultant and bootatrapped it into a profitable firm. First, understand the difference between a contractor and a consultant. Though not all differentiate the two, many do and that’s reflected in the market rates associated with them (consulting == contracting + hard-to-find expert advisory). Convert a single existing FTE role into a consulting engagement to get you started if you can. If not, your ability to…
Would you mind sharing what the steps in that process were for you?
People will say this is wrong, people will say they didn’t, but I’m telling you this is just how the world works.
But remember, it's feast or famine.
And the moment you need to add employees and other people to the mix, be prepared for the complaints to start as just like when you have houseguests or someone borrows your car, it's never treated the same as you would treat it.
This issue above is really the limiting factor for most entrepreneurs because we're willing to do all the hats to get it done/sold.
An employee only has vestment up to their compensation and once they figure out what their time is worth, you are screwed paying more and more.
Finding solid people willing to do the job is what we site for the cause of shuttering a 35 year old family business as it was too difficult to hire and train and retain people constantly wanting to level up, or just get their buck for least possible effort/education or not discuss/engage more connection into the business and desire to grow it along with them... as that's how businesses are built, people get invested in it.
But I do keep a consultancy up and running even if idle. The business taxes and bookkeeping if idle can be automated and take seconds to do and it's a legal functioning producer of tax deductions in just maintaining it's existence.
I've gained more connection and "side" opportunity/money just networking and being open to offer sellable good products and forward thinking services for those that want a "solution" and a confidential, personalized service for "projects" or "consultancy" that needs a experienced individual to work with them addressing concerns you wouldn't want to get a RFQ or do a parade of estimation/bidding for.
But again, it's the hustle and contact that get you gigs.. gigs that all eventually end as time is money and when it's on their time, it's not your money anymore. Remember that. :P
My advice would be to target a situation where clients search for you, rather the other way around (everything else I find unsustainable). For that you need to put your work out, like breadcrumbs - so the interested party gets curious and reaches out. Has worked for me for the past seven years. The cost of putting your work out is basically zero these days - all you have to do it put the time in, which you have to do…
In contrast I've found contracts and been emailed by employers looking for contractors numerous times after I posted on HN's Who wants to be hired post.
But it could be that although my blog is reasonably trafficked and technical, my posts just aren't particularly practical. :)
2. Only then, book 1 client. It doesn't matter for how long, it just needs to be at a reasonable rate for something you're confident you can deliver on time for 3. Only then, in your remaining weekly capacity, start the sales process to land a second client (at a higher rate), and start setting up your business admin processes (invoicing, budgeting, accounting, etc)
4. Only then, pick up a copy of Alan Weiss's Consulting Bible or Million Dollar Consultant - for tips on pricing your services & writing proposals.
At this point, if you find out you don't enjoy sales or high rates - partner with a consulting firm. Otherwise, keep going.