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Part Two: Technical Self-Employment For All

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the business-cards-for-all dept.

MoNickels writes "I've posted part two of the article series encouraging the unemployed to take up freelance technical support, including advice on knowing if this work is right for you, marketing yourself, learning on the job, handling and educating clients, managing the business, the temperament required, and the negative aspects of the work." See part one if you missed it.

5 of 270 comments (clear)

  1. Re:If you are unemployed... by John+Jorsett · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Really? Maybe you just can't prove you are good at what you do. I've been in that situation: No job, no job history, and no job prospects because you have no job history.

    I once knew somebody in that position. He went to a company and offered to work free. They took him up on the offer, and after 3 months, he said, 'hire me or I'm going,' so they hired him. Not the easiest way to break in, but it showed real initiative.

  2. Re:This is an easy one by mao+che+minh · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I just landed a gig at a law firm (a rather large one) to install a bunch of imaging systems and "fix" their mail server. They decided not to use their usual guy because "he didn't always know everything that we needed, and would have to go look it up (sic)".

    It depends on the client. Some don't mind. Some view incomplete mastery of a trade as laziness and/or ignorance.

    Afterall, they all know that they could always find someone else.

  3. Ok, but how much do I charge? by scorp1us · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've done side work for years. Never made much at it. My parents told me to never talk about money, and so I feel uncomforable at billing time doing something I enjoy.

    I really need to know how much to bill grandma.

    $30/hr for a not related grandma?
    $45/hr for others?
    $90/hr for PHBs?

    Of course it'll vary depending on the work and the client, bit some pricing structure would be of great help to me!

    --
    Slashdot's rate-of-post filter: Preventing you from posting too many great ideas at once.
  4. I live in a SOCIALIST country... by Malc · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ... you insensitive clod!

    Seriously though, I am so glad I no longer have to worry about health coverage. I moved to Canada a few years ago, and it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I'm happy to pay for it via my taxes. I think we get good value for money. I don't have to worry about not being given the best insurance deal because I'm an individual and not a huge corporation looking to cover thousands of people. I also know I won't see any of the doctors bills if I get hurt reminding me that I'm ultimately responsible even though my insurer has also received a copy. I don't have to worry about my or my family's health should I unexpectedly lose my job/contract.

  5. Corny title, awful cover... by pmorrison · · Score: 3, Interesting

    but 'From Serf to Surfer: Becoming a Network Consultant' by Matthew Strebe gives the same sort of advice on the same topic in great depth. Highly recommended if you want more information. Also recommended 'The Secrets of Consulting' by Gerald Weinberg, great for understanding pricing and the value of your time among many other things.

    I was self-employeed for 1.5 years after the internet consultancy I worked for folded... I made as much money and had more free time (some of it spent biting my nails about when the next gig would start). In my experience the advice in the articles and these books is pretty solid.