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RE: FN-FORUM Advice on going it alone
date posted 29th September 2002 20:19
This question has been asked a few times by people who either had the
desire to strike out on their own, or had it forced on them. To be
honest, the responses to such an enquiry to the list surprised me
because there were lots of negative replies which had an air of 'oh god
no, someone else vying for a slice of the cake, lets try and put them
off the idea'.
The bottom line is that there is plenty of work out there if you're
determined enough to get the clients and talented enough to hang onto
them once you've snared them. If you hear comments about lack of work in
this marketplace from people then consider two things - maybe the people
saying there isn't much work aren't very good or maybe they're just
sitting back and expecting lucrative contracts to land in their laps. We
(that's WebUnlimited - me, my wife and a smallish group of trusted
database, Flash, server, ecommerce, SEO and marketing specialists) are
up to our ears in work, because we never take the next gig for granted
and we work hard to keep existing clients happy so that they come back
regularly for more.
So if you're happy that you have the sort of skillset a client might
use, get yourself an accountant (first session will be free and they'll
let you know precisely what to do), get yourself a web site, get
yourself some contacts to do the bits that you can't and get out there
and hustle,
Hutch
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL REMOVED]
[EMAIL REMOVED] On Behalf Of Beth Sutherland
Sent: 29 September 2002 16:19
To: [EMAIL REMOVED]
Subject: FN-FORUM Advice on going it alone
Hi all,
I’m considering becoming freelance and wanted to know if anybody has any
advice or suggestions. I’ve been unemployed since June and am currently
looking for full time work. I have a BA in Visual Communication and 2
years commercial experience as a new media designer.
It seems to me that while I’m not working I should invest my time in
researching how viable the option of becoming freelance is to me and
whether I would be able to go it alone. I have the skills and experience
to do so, but no client basis at the moment. I think though that this is
something I would be able to develop, by providing competitive rates and
a good service and by contacting and marketing to prospective clients. I
feel that I could really make a go of it working freelance and would
enjoy the overall creative control and freedom this would give me. Also
how would working freelance affect the options I would have in the
future of finding full time employment if I wanted to?
Presumably, I can contract work out to members on the list, such as
programming and other more technical aspects of web design, if my skills
don’t reach those required for a project.
I guess the thing that puts me off the most is the accounting, business
plan and tax side of things, as I don’t know much about what would be
required, but appreciate how important these things are.
My current plan of action is to investigate the requirements and
possibilities available to me as well as getting a URL up that is more
commercially inclined than my personal site, with a company presence and
branding.
If anyone knows of any resources, advice or experiences that would be
useful, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really need to start
researching the possibilities available to me. I am sure there are
companies within Glasgow, where I live, that offer support and advice on
starting your own business. I don’t want to get to January next year,
still unemployed and still looking for work. At least this way, I have
the opportunity to develop my own services and design in a positive way,
that I could actually make some money from and possibly expand on if I
am successful.
Beth
_____________________________________________
Beth Sutherland
Graphic and New Media Designer
learn create explore
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/beffyp/
_____________________________________________
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