Life as a coin-operated monkey
Paul Waring (paul@xk7.net)
June 6, 2017
whoami
- Freelancing full-time since July 2015
- PHP developer and Linux system administrator
- Specialise in legacy code/systems and financial services
- I like trains, politics and technology (@pwaring)
- You may know me from: Geek Walks, Currybeer
Topics
- Mix of my experiences and practical advice
- Why you might want to try freelancing (and why not)
- How to make freelancing work
- Whatever you want - ask me anything!
Why?
- Greater control over your destiny
- Variety of work and clients
- Flexibility - hours and workload
Why not?
- Fewer employment rights
- Limited cover for sickness, emergencies, redundancy
- No paid leave
- Buying/renting property is hard
Types of freelancing mode
- Fixed-term contract
- Project work
- Regular clients
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
- Retainers are great if available
- Not many freelancers offer this
- My niche area
Finding work
- Networking
- Simple website
Networking
- Continuous process over many years
- Start now
- Depth rather than breadth
- Repeat attendance not wide attendance
- LinkedIn can be worthwhile
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
- Keyword-rich domain
Time management
- Sales meetings are expensive - ration them
- First hour meeting + travel is free, then charge
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
Value Added Tax
- Effectively adds 20% to your prices
- Not everyone can reclaim it
- Paperwork and penalties if you get it wrong
- Avoid if possible
Terms of business agreements
- Reply to every initial enquiry with these
- Make everyone sign before starting work
- Keep them short and simple
- Email me if you want mine
Mistakes to avoid
- Fixed price jobs
- Underselling yourself
- Taking every job offered
- Going to every meeting
- Not standing your ground
Thanks for listening
- Questions?
- Slides at: talks.phpdeveloper.org.uk
- Hat tip to @mart_brooks for the title