What % of your work is driven through agencies?

[Sausage Surprise]

8 in 8 years all through agents. Big companies will only deal with agents.

[Vandalay]

It would really help if we knew what you did? 5-6 clients in 8 months is not a model that would fit Project Management/Service or any other large project related skills. I think a lot of people reading this thread will be thinking of their 3-6 month contracts and going direct which I expect is very different to your situation? Could you expand for a bit of clarity else we are going to be comparing apples with pears.

I focus on MI, reporting development and bespoke Excel & Access apps. Agreed, it wouldn't really fit PM!

[Vandalay]

1 direct contract (current one) and 3 agency based ones so 75% for me.
Also intrigued as to how you're drumming up the business

Almost entirely through referrals. Started out by going direct with a client I had previously worked at through an agency, and from there the referrals rolled.

Also, not true that large companies don't deal with non agency contractors, there's plenty of direct providers out there. 2 of my direct clients far have been ftse100 financial institutions.

[Vandalay]

0%. Last 5 years have been through the old network only. LinkedIn is your friend. Used to be me contacting old workmates/clients but now it's the other way around. Hooray for me!

Nice. You mean there are people on LinkedIn who aren't agents???

[Vandalay]

I like to think I do world class Wintel architecture and support stuff, and only in the past year (after 6 years contracting worldwide) have I worked directly with a previous client, for a single data centre move gig.

For my line of work, I reckon the Agents and the big HR departments have it all sewn up , with approved suppliers etc.

I've had client contacts who express a wish to directly engage me, but find their co policy does not allow it unless its agency X, approved supplier.

I've also had agency X's fail to submit me for jobs I know are for the client, and the client wants me to apply! ......

I've found it to be UK specific too - In Canada, for example, they just love you walking into their office with your resume and an invitation to chat about their needs. The humdinger apparently, was hanging out in the coffee shop in the finance district in Toronto !

I really don't anticipate that working well in London, but who knows.

I had to go through the process of becoming an 'approved supplier' at one client. Worth the effort, as once you're in you're in. That said it wouldn't work everywhere. Sounds like I need to jump on a flight to Canada, go get some coffee.

[Scrag Meister]

My current gig I got directly from a previous clientco, they still put an agency in the middle, presumably to avoid some employment law or another.

So I've not had a gig where there wasn't an agent involved after the offer.

[FRS]

I'm on my second direct client, I've had 6 clients over the last 4 years so not too bad a ratio. I much prefer being direct and I'm going to make the effort to go direct on all contracts from now on. There are some really good agencies out there and I'll probably continue to use them, but unfortunately they are a lot of crap ones too, so I'm reluctant to try new ones when I know I can find my own work.

[Vandalay]

I'm on my second direct client, I've had 6 clients over the last 4 years so not too bad a ratio. I much prefer being direct and I'm going to make the effort to go direct on all contracts from now on. There are some really good agencies out there and I'll probably continue to use them, but unfortunately they are a lot of crap ones too, so I'm reluctant to try new ones when I know I can find my own work.

Awesome. Yes I prefer the direct relationship too, and have much more leverage over pricing etc. Agree on agencies. I still get a fair few calls for roles but usually don't follow up. From interest where are you based? I'm up in Edinburgh.

[quackhandle]

I would love to go direct but is that because I'm looking at the grass is always greener side, ie - more money, less hassle, etc?

I've tried going direct with a well known online company, as they wanted to interview me through a pimp. Sent my CV a few months later but they never bothered to reply. Send it again a few more months later via a different pimp who came back and said (in as so many words) "You bounder! You tried to go direct! We don't like it when you cash cows try to do that, it's not nice. Good day."

qh

[Vandalay]

I would love to go direct but is that because I'm looking at the grass is always greener side, ie - more money, less hassle, etc?

I've tried going direct with a well known online company, as they wanted to interview me through a pimp. Sent my CV a few months later but they never bothered to reply. Send it again a few more months later via a different pimp who came back and said (in as so many words) "You bounder! You tried to go direct! We don't like it when you cash cows try to do that, it's not nice. Good day."

qh

Wow. I've not experienced that. One way I have secured my current contract is affiliating myself through a local consultancy where I have complimentary skills to their services, just come on board for a short stint of their projects to cover off where they have a skills gap.

I'm sure the grass isn't always greener. For example, pricing is more challenging. I have priced a few of my jobs all in, rather than a day rate. As a developer that works both ways, and work can drag on longer than forecast.

I have a book called 'the consulting bible' by Alan Weiss. It has been quite an eye opener in terms of getting new leads and pricing jobs. Highly recommended.