I just started my consulting firm moving from a lead tech role at startups, and I wanted to see other's experience in the forum regarding initially starting the firm, networking etc...
I started with 2 pro bono clients that in return will write a testimonial. I have got also potential paid clients in negotiation, I am focusing on writing and entering podcasting but I am not sure how.
Would also love to hop on some calls if anyone is down anytime.
Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
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Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#2Hey I'm in a similar situation as you. I transitioned out of a dev job recently and I'm putting more energy into my business. I have experience in podcasts, at least from a technical point of view. Reach out if you want to connect active.book8254@fastmail.com
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#3It was very hit and miss for me. I think you really need to have a primary gig or hobby or side project which exposes you to constant opportunities.
My job now drives a lot of secondary value encounters which allows me to “spin off” different ideas with other people.
I did consulting with a client or two but usually it’s not sustainable on a monthly basis.
I view Consulting as a really incredible way to learn simple business skills, how to ask for money and structure engagements.
My personal feeling is that exposure to consulting is ultra valuable even on a hobby basis and it is very valuable skills to have, though may not be sustainable.
My feeling after trying to make it work for a couple years is you are making a bet with your time. You are better off spotting a high potential project that is just getting started; inserting yourself by just being helpful and then growing it and ultimately turning it into ROI.
A really great high value paid position might take 3-6 months to develop. I think I’m better at spotting and developing these.
The idea that you will just walk in getting top dollar is unlikely. You have to spot the right place to be, position yourself into it by being helpful and likable and then enlarge the opportunity by growing it.
For me Consulting still requires a very entrepreneurial sense of timing and also the ability to get into position and develop something new with a high potential client.
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#4It’s been several years since I began but it’s been an amazing experience given I’ve always wanted to do something entrepreneurial. I feel a lot happier knowing that I can help clients advise them on technology and bring solutions to their problems. Happy to have a chat anytime.
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#5I don't have a 'successful' experience - but hoping my experience can resonate with some and I can get some hints on how to achieve 'success'.
I have tried more than a few times and different kinds (if we can say it that) - helping with hiring, training for interviews as well as being a dev (technical architecture, design and implementation). Nothing stuck. I ultimately had to take up a full-time gig to pay the bills - but I still don't want to give up on this dream of mine - being my own boss (sort of - since I know customer is always the boss!).
I would like to know how you got your start and how you got your first customer, then the next and so on. I am not necessarily looking to build a tech empire, hire dozens of others, but rather eek out a decent living by doing what I do best - design and build large-scale systems.
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#6Niches = riches.
You want a super-tight thing that you do (e.g. "I fix performance issues for large NodeJS code bases", or better still "I write tooling to measure performance hotspots in NodeJS code bases".)
Despite this sounding like cutting off potential customers, it doesn't work that way. Customers will reach out to you with some generic work that they want done "because I know you know NodeJS" even when you say you specialise in something.
A good first book to read: "Book yourself Solid" by Michael Port.
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#7Do not do free work for "testimonials" rather do it for a discount. I do not give sh-t who it is, I am not devoting my time for free to anyone. Your sidekick should be ChatGPT or any AI assistance you can get your hands on (if you are starting solo) It will help you tremendously. Do not be scared to reach out to organization. Buy some add space on google and target regions. You are going to kill it. I believe in you (random internet stranger). Good luck.
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#8Deciding how to structure your contracts is important. Time and materials is nice, but if you're making the same thing over and over, a fixed bid with accommodations for additional changes is okay. Networking is important, so keeping clients happy is important, but also telling bad clients to go pound sand is a critical skill, as they'll ruin you if you let them.
My company made most of its money by referrals from one client to another, and it was important to have someone who is good at maintaining relationships with not only current clients, but old clients, and prospective clients. If that's not you, find someone who will do it for you. They should be good at it, and ought to be second nature to them: it's not a one-time thing, it's an ongoing part of that business model. I meanm you might get lucky and have one client for years and years, but you should plan on having to constantly be hustling for new clients, since that's the most common scenario.
I did consulting for 13 years. The upside is you get to work on a lot of different stuff, and become really good at a variety of technologies, as well as the general skill of becoming good at picking up new skills. You also get to look at a stupid product or application and think to yourself, "it's your money, pal," because you don't have to pretend you're saving the world at some dumb startup, you're a mercenary who parachutes in and then escapes on a hang glider just as the startup is about to explode. On the other hand, you don't get to focus on one thing and get really good at it, or focus on one market and learn every angle of it, or focus on one product and iterate on it until it's good.
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#9Do not do free work for "testimonials" rather do it for a discount. I do not give sh-t who it is, I am not devoting my time for free to anyone. Your sidekick should be ChatGPT or any AI assistance you can get your hands on (if you are starting solo) It will help you tremendously. Do not be scared to reach out to organization. Buy some add space on google and target regions. You are going to kill it. I believe in you…
Not only will I not do pro-bono work, but getting paid in full and on time is a challenge. Even good clients can suddenly ghost you and forget to pay up.
Re: Ask HN: What is your experience in tech consulting?
#10Selling your time doesn't scale