Keeping the ball rolling???

[TonyLaw]

I am new to this contracting lark having just finished my first last week, but, I can't see any further into the future right now.

Any advice on how to keep the ball rolling and the cash rolling in? My agents told me the market was good when I started my first contract and it seemed like a good choice, but, was I duped? You guys are in this, what is the market like at the moment?

Specifically my area, the Web Development market.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance.

[partimer]

re: Keeping the ball rolling???

To put it simply: Bind luck in most cases.

The market goes up and down like everything else. You have to factor in periods when you are warming the bench. That's the nature of the business we are in and what it means to be running a business. Hence why you get paid a higher rate.

You should make efforts whilst working to network with as many people (managers, other contractors) including handing out your business card (even if they bin them). The more you try, the better. Very few agents come after you when you're on the bench but are instantly sniffing around for leads when you're working. It's part of the business.

If you can manage it, try getting buddy with two select agents who you are comfortable with. You'll find that those agents tend to move between agencies (name an agent who stays at one company for long, who doesn't place anybody ...) and know who you are and try to put you at the top of the heap of a pile of CVs.

Other things like being a proper business and not a bum on seat contractor but we'll leave that for another time.