Life as a coin-operated monkey
Paul Waring (phpdev.uk)
October 20, 2019
whoami
- Freelancing full-time since July 2015 (part-time since 2000)
- PHP developer and Linux system administrator
- You may know me from: Geek Walks, Currybeer
Topics
- Why you might want to try freelancing (and why not)
- How to make freelancing work
- Ask me anything (at the end/break/lunch)
Why?
- Greater control over your destiny
- Variety of work and clients
- Flexibility - hours and workload
Why not?
- Limited cover for sickness, emergencies, redundancy
- No paid leave
- You are responsible for everything
- Buying/renting property is hard(er)
Fixed term contract
- Single client, exclusive
- Usually on-site
- Usually full-time
- Initial term of 3-6 months
- Extensions often available
Project work
- Multiple projects, multiple clients
- Usually one project per client
- Works well for standard tasks, e.g. WordPress theme design
- Can be hard to keep a pipeline of work
- Often fixed pricing
Regular clients
- Multiple projects per client
- Non-exclusive
- Not many freelancers offer this
- My niche area
Networking
- Continuous process over many years
- Start now
- Depth rather than breadth
- Repeat attendance not wide attendance
Simple website
- Keep it really simple
- If in doubt, use WordPress with non-default theme
- List contact details, portfolio and CV
- Blog if you have time
Money management
- Cash flow is everything
- Strict credit terms - 14 days or less
- Every payment, move 30% into liability account
- Use this account solely for settling tax bill
Make your life easier
- Take regular breaks and holidays
- Keep personal and work life separate (email, phone, finances)
- Don’t check work stuff outside of work hours
- Trust your instincts
- Stand your ground
Thanks for listening
- Questions?
- Slides at: phpdev.uk
- Hat tip to @mart_brooks for the title