Reply to: Building a brand and marketing yourself versus relying on recruiters.

[WordIsBond]

OP, I did it. The core of the problem is this -- you have to find a way to make yourself known as an incredibly valuable resource, valuable enough that they think of you rather than just calling an agent. There are different ways you can accomplish that, but if you don't, you'll never succeed.

I did it through decades in my permie job, and I was lucky in several ways that led to me being known in a niche sector as an expert. I went independent just over three years ago, I have five employees and three very part-time subcontractors (retired guys). I've had to keep raising my rates over and over because the demand is so high. It's because I was lucky in my opportunities and good enough to take advantage of it.

When the decision-makers know you or have read articles you've written or heard you speak at conferences, they have confidence that you'll be the guy. You may never have those opportunities, but you will have to find some way to be known as being so good and so valuable that they'd be stupid to have an agent bring in some bum to fill a seat. The only way I can think of to do that is to have really niche expertise (that an agent will never be able to source) or be the guy who charges a day rate but works extremely long hours so you always deliver ahead of schedule. Unique knowledge or unique work ethic / effort, those are the only two ways I can see to get there. Without one of those, they'll just do the safe and contact an agent.

[mattfx]

I have run a couple of fixed fee pieces of work around some of my contract work in the past year.

+ You will double, or triple your day rate
+ You feel like a boss doing it
+ The jobs are often more exciting because you have to be "in and out" unless it's a very lengthy piece of work which, as a one man band, I doubt many of us would get

- Invoicing is a ballache. Chasing accountants is a ballache.
- Clients always want something more than the scoped deliverables. You will always end up giving it to them, in most cases.
- No-one has any sympathy when it does (and will) go wrong: "You're charging enough, what's your point? Quit moaning, consultant" - even nearest and dearest!

Personally, I have ambition to build up that type of business and try to gain momentum off the back of the work I've done this year. But it's hard, clients are demanding, midway through one implementation a client got a massive ransomware attack. It destroyed one of my pre-built servers, they didn't have backups in place for the new stuff yet, that was the next weeks work. Naturally, that server had to be skipped and I had to start again and lose half a day to a day rebuilding it.

As others have said, when all is said and done it is higher risk and arguably, not really much more of a reward unless you've got a very loyal customer base, or support contracts backing you up. To make the project work more secure, I think you need that security of £XXX per month coming in off the back of supporting previous efforts.

It won't stop me from trying and it shouldn't stop you OP, but just know it's a very very tough market out there. Good luck!

[LondonManc]

True, although I got a gig at a global bank through a network contact - although I had to go through an agency on the PSL, as the bank were introducing me to the agency they (agency) only got 5% and I got a better rate. Had the agency found me and introduced me to the bank their margin would be more like 20%.

So, worth marketing yourself and building contacts even when sometimes you can't go direct...

No it wouldn't. The agencies that place people are at the banks are on fixed rate cards c 10%

[TestMangler]

Or, it's evidence of how tulip most people on here are!

Take your pick!

Beaten to it !!

[password]

Riiiiiiight.....

Haha +1 for you babe!

[northernladuk]

Or, it's evidence of how tulip most people on here are!

Take your pick!

Riiiiiiight.....

[billybiro]

Not really. The fact that virtually non of us on here do it is good evidence of how viable it is.

Or, it's evidence of how tulip most people on here are!

Take your pick!

[Spoiler]

Which is basic networking and not really what the OP is suggesting.

"Every little helps"

[northernladuk]

True, although I got a gig at a global bank through a network contact - although I had to go through an agency on the PSL, as the bank were introducing me to the agency they (agency) only got 5% and I got a better rate. Had the agency found me and introduced me to the bank their margin would be more like 20%.

So, worth marketing yourself and building contacts even when sometimes you can't go direct...

Which is basic networking and not really what the OP is suggesting.

[Spoiler]

Depends on your market, banks and big co’s etc Have preferred suppliers list, so you have zero chance of becoming a supplier.

True, although I got a gig at a global bank through a network contact - although I had to go through an agency on the PSL, as the bank were introducing me to the agency they (agency) only got 5% and I got a better rate. Had the agency found me and introduced me to the bank their margin would be more like 20%.

So, worth marketing yourself and building contacts even when sometimes you can't go direct...

[LondonManc]

It's possible in banks if you're a niche provider and can mobilise good people easier than they can - or they simply have no appetite to do so.

That aside, doing a good job, parting on good terms and adding some staff on to LinkedIn is generally a good way of building a brand - the brand happens to be you rather than YourCo, but for most small companies, the MD is the brand anyway.

[washed up contractor]

The moment i read the title, I knew it was by a hopeful hopeless newbie.

Why on earth would anyone pay for your UK based services, when they can get "ten a penny" like you based in India? And if they are looking for quality 2-3 like you based in EE.

What are you looking to promote if you have nothing special to offer to set you apart from the competition?

Harsh. But so very true.

[simes]

Password, hopefully you can gloss over the smart ass replies as being the work of the bored and under utilised.

That said, the routes to market for what we do, and how it is done, are fairly standardised. CVs, LinkedIn and a contact base. That also said, there is nothing stopping you from giving it a shot and proving us wrong. It might be something that could work for small jobs that don't require a 5-day week, six month presence. Things you could cover off in the evenings and weekends as extra jam after the bread is buttered.

Good luck.

[sal]

The moment i read the title, I knew it was by a hopeful hopeless newbie.

Yea, I hear you. I am under no illusions about the reality of getting clients. I don't necessarily possess any special skills. I was just thinking that perhaps there is business to be had where a client needs something built (I'm a software developer), which takes say a fix chunk of time. Then over the next number of months/years, they require a bit of maintenance, support etc as opposed to a fixed number of months in-out contract.

Why on earth would anyone pay for your UK based services, when they can get "ten a penny" like you based in India? And if they are looking for quality 2-3 like you based in EE.

What are you looking to promote if you have nothing special to offer to set you apart from the competition?

[GhostofTarbera]

Yea, I hear you. I am under no illusions about the reality of getting clients. I don't necessarily possess any special skills. I was just thinking that perhaps there is business to be had where a client needs something built (I'm a software developer), which takes say a fix chunk of time. Then over the next number of months/years, they require a bit of maintenance, support etc as opposed to a fixed number of months in-out contract.

I do imagine that this type of setup would take many many years to build up to the level of income that the alternate contract route would provide, but that would be at the expense of a more flexible lifestyle, I guess. I don't know.



Eh, not necessarily fixed price. I see the risk/reward piece is relevant. I am also aware the market is pretty thick with opportunities at the moment..which will certainly not always be the case.

Software developer ?? If JAVA (or similar) jump into a £700 day role at canary wharf sit back and count your money for next few years