11–20 of 51 posts
You can slowly get used to it, learn how to invoice, build a network, present yourself as independent while actually having work and not starve to death.
These days I still do direct independent client work, and new clients come through a consulting / MSP firms I work with, and from my existing network. I get better paid with direct work, but the work coming from the firms is usually more interesting.
Eventually you get to the point of turning down work just because you have too much already, and deciding what you really want to be doing with your time.
I'd say the most difficult thing is trying to find that sweet spot between too little work, and too much work. Sometimes the sales pipeline from initial interest to actual engagement can be measured in years.
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…
The downside is that it will probably dry up quickly. But I try to pay it forward by spotlighting other capable engineers who have less visibility. Which reminds me, I have to go do that now. (Done: https://twitter.com/theshawwn/status/1490472576379932673)
Wrote a few applications.
Got one of these projects.
Repeated it when the project came to an end.
Been doing it as primary income source for about a year and I enjoy it. As long as the work keeps flowing in I’ll stick with this path. I lucked out in that one of the contacts I made runs their own consulting agency so they bring me in on jobs I’m good at when they need help.
So networking, your work ethic, and integrity demonstrated to others seems important..
I made sure to get at least one strong contact from each call/meeting. As time went on, the quality of referral got higher, until I was talking to two people who had work and no one to do it.
I ended up getting both contracts, and they kept me busy for my first year (making better money than I had ever made as an employee).
Your network has more value than you might think, and working that network can be as simple as “hey, who do you think would be interested in...”
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…
I've been on both sides as a contractor and hiring contractors. I've never seen anyone go for the "smartest" person or a popular person in the field. It's all about comfort working together, and being top of mind when there is work. For the latter point, some kind of "presence" on social media or whatever may help, but I still think there's a massive wall between media and reality (like I'd never consider reaching out to a social media celebrity if I need work done). Regular calls and check-ins, pitching ideas, getting to understand clients. That's what wins the work. And once you're in, just do a good job (again be understanding the client needs, not really by being smart) and you're good.
I started doing a lot of contracting through recruiters which could be anywhere from a few days work to 6-12 month longer contracts. This allowed me to meet a lot of different people in my industry/city and build a reputation as someone reliable. After that's done then it's a matter of growing those relationships and once the recruiter lock-in period ends you can start to approach them directly and offer your service…
Or did you mean that you reached out to recruiters and worked out a finder's fee arrangement if they brought you contracts? If so, how did you find recruiters to work with who weren't already engaged with clients and might therefore have a conflict of interest?