Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

rubicon · 12-12-2003, 08:52 AM

Hi mikado. I'm a freelancer. I'm not sure how to answer your questions because the length of time and rate varies with each project. Some projects require help from others and some don't. It's really dependent on your project.

If you have more general questions about how to get new work, quoting projects as T&M or fixed fee, etc., they will be easier to answer.

I recommend that you find a specialty area or target industry. There are too many independent computer consultants that do "everything for everyone." There is a credibility barrier here - whether or not they actually can do everything. Usually they're good at some things and mediocre in the rest - and it shows.

You may need to overcome the "cheap syndrome" where small offices would have a family member do the work for them at little or no cost. And bigger companies might not be comfortable relying on just one person. You'll find the right match as you market and sell yourself.

I'm working a project for my father-in-law (speaking of that) which requires quite a bit of Java programming. I found an excellent programmer at ITMoonlighter.com (there is also eLance.com) to do the coding while I manage the project. It's worked out very well although I always try and find a personal contact before I go out to the public.

12-12-2003, 08:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
rubicon Stop. Think. Question. Location: Redondo Beach, CA	Hi mikado. I'm a freelancer. I'm not sure how to answer your questions because the length of time and rate varies with each project. Some projects require help from others and some don't. It's really dependent on your project. If you have more general questions about how to get new work, quoting projects as T&M or fixed fee, etc., they will be easier to answer. I recommend that you find a specialty area or target industry. There are too many independent computer consultants that do "everything for everyone." There is a credibility barrier here - whether or not they actually can do everything. Usually they're good at some things and mediocre in the rest - and it shows. You may need to overcome the "cheap syndrome" where small offices would have a family member do the work for them at little or no cost. And bigger companies might not be comfortable relying on just one person. You'll find the right match as you market and sell yourself. I'm working a project for my father-in-law (speaking of that) which requires quite a bit of Java programming. I found an excellent programmer at ITMoonlighter.com (there is also eLance.com) to do the coding while I manage the project. It's worked out very well although I always try and find a personal contact before I go out to the public. __________________ How you do anything is how you do everything.