Soletrader backup

**kimera** · 31 March 2006, 21:23

Originally posted by WhatBug

I'm a sole trader with no employees developing databases and applications for small businesses and I'm increasingly being asked by new clients 'What happens if you get run over by a bus?'

I always take my mobile phone with me on holiday and never have more than a week away but I do need some sort of backup to cover for me in case of emergency and to reassure clients who are willing to pay me to develop systems but are worried about contingency should anything happen to me or I give up and decide to go farm organic pigs

My friends in IT have no development experience and I'm worried about handing my work over to a 3rd party developer I don't know which I'd have to do if they were to become a support backup for me.

Short of actually making the leap and employing someone how do other freelancers deal with this?

Tell them you will employ a personal lollypop lady

**WhatBug** · 31 March 2006, 21:31

Well I always assure them that I will do everything in my power to avoid being hit by a bus and that I have no intention of becoming a road traffic statistic but they still have concerns

**Muju** · 31 March 2006, 21:38

Maybe team up with another freelancer and share the work? You don't have to employ someone, just find someone else who you know is good and share the contracts.

**WhatBug** · 31 March 2006, 21:45

That's what I've been thinking it's just finding someone good enough and that you can trust. It's a minefield!

(Doh! there's me worrying about buses so much I've stumbled into a minefield)

**VectraMan** · 31 March 2006, 21:46

This is perhaps a reason to be a Ltd. company as then you look more like an organisation rather than one man band, even if it's not true.

I'm sure you could find an "understudy" to keep on a retainer for a modest fee and provide holiday cover etc. But they're your profits.

**cojak** · 1 April 2006, 10:28

Congratulations - you *are* a business on your own account! Along with the headaches, of course...

The PCG offers a collaborative forum for just these kind of things.

You'll need to join 1st, but then you're worth it...

**WhatBug** · 1 April 2006, 18:00

Thanks Cojak,

Avoided those pesky buses another day! - I must admit I'd not heard of th PCG but I'll look into it - anyone else here a member with comments on the PCG?

Soletrader backup