Contractors?
-
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
-
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
I use an employment agency. I'm not proud of it, but it seems to work. '--8<------------------------ Ex Datis: Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd
-
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
For a contractor, "gaps between contracts" = vacation.
-
For a contractor, "gaps between contracts" = vacation.
Make that unpaid vacation. regards, Paul Watson South Africa Colib and WebTwoZero. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
-
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
sergeyv2002 wrote: I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? My contracts mainly come from the contacts I've made over the years. When these dry up, then you have to turn to the agencies. sergeyv2002 wrote: What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods. You have to budget your spending to ensure you have enough money saved to cover the rough patches. Michael CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
-
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
Contacts and networking are the best if the least fun way for geeks. I actually get plenty of contract work from my old employers as I left them on good terms. You have to use that horrible thing called a phone and actually talk to people, often people you don't know, people you have to sell yourself to *shudder* regards, Paul Watson South Africa Colib and WebTwoZero. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
-
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
sergeyv2002 wrote: As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? I found some truly awful ones on rentacoder. All the rest came via code project, namely, people who read my articles, asked me for help, and when I offered it decided they'd rather pay me to do it, and people who those clients have recommended to me. sergeyv2002 wrote: What are possible gaps between contracts Sometimes 6 months, although since I got my MVP, I am mostly turning work away. sergeyv2002 wrote: how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods. The trick with any small business is to make and save enough in the busy times to get through the slow times. In my case, I have a day job :-) Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
-
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
sergeyv2002 wrote: As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What works for me: Internet presence: website, blog, articles on CP At least one high-visibility "vogue" project with google ads, keywords, blogs, forums, etc. A couple longterm, but not necessarily full-time, clients (steady income during the lulls) "Networking", meaning, get out and meet people and tell them what you do. You'd be amazed how many jobs started with "oh, you do programming? I need xyz". Luck Amazingly, I have never had to seek contract work. It seems to find me. But I do recommend a contracting house--years ago, I found a great client that I still work with as a result. And the other clients, although short term projects, were great references and contacts for further clients. Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String Helpers -
sergeyv2002 wrote: As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? I found some truly awful ones on rentacoder. All the rest came via code project, namely, people who read my articles, asked me for help, and when I offered it decided they'd rather pay me to do it, and people who those clients have recommended to me. sergeyv2002 wrote: What are possible gaps between contracts Sometimes 6 months, although since I got my MVP, I am mostly turning work away. sergeyv2002 wrote: how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods. The trick with any small business is to make and save enough in the busy times to get through the slow times. In my case, I have a day job :-) Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
Christian Graus wrote: although since I got my MVP, I am mostly turning work away. Interesting. I must not be using my MVP status correctly. Got any pointers? Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String Helpers -
Christian Graus wrote: although since I got my MVP, I am mostly turning work away. Interesting. I must not be using my MVP status correctly. Got any pointers? Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String HelpersHere's a hint : I didn't know you were one. Although, it could be co-incidence, most of the work I'm getting at the moment is from recommendations through one guy I've been working for the past 10 months, and continue to work for. But I'd have thought your visibility here would be as high as mine or higher, article wise. One thing tho, most jobs for me start with image processing, via those articles, and segue into other work from there. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
-
Here's a hint : I didn't know you were one. Although, it could be co-incidence, most of the work I'm getting at the moment is from recommendations through one guy I've been working for the past 10 months, and continue to work for. But I'd have thought your visibility here would be as high as mine or higher, article wise. One thing tho, most jobs for me start with image processing, via those articles, and segue into other work from there. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
Christian Graus wrote: I didn't know you were one. LOL! Well, I took it out of my sig after a few months. This is my second year now. Christian Graus wrote: One thing tho, most jobs for me start with image processing, via those articles, and segue into other work from there. Whereas, most of mine come from the MyXaml articles and website. Thanks for the feedback! I'll try working on my MVP visibility. Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String Helpers -
Christian Graus wrote: I didn't know you were one. LOL! Well, I took it out of my sig after a few months. This is my second year now. Christian Graus wrote: One thing tho, most jobs for me start with image processing, via those articles, and segue into other work from there. Whereas, most of mine come from the MyXaml articles and website. Thanks for the feedback! I'll try working on my MVP visibility. Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String HelpersMarc Clifton wrote: This is my second year now. Cool - I guess I never noticed because I had no idea what an MVP was until I became one. So, see you in Seattle then ? I'm there from the Monday, and hoping for some sort of CP get together on the Tuesday night. Marc Clifton wrote: Whereas, most of mine come from the MyXaml articles and website. I'm always late to the party, I've just worked out what XaML is through using WinFX. So you think there's a big future in this stuff ? The advantage I can see with Avalon is if people have it installed, then you can write a desktop and a web app in the one step, and deliver over the web ( i.e. replace Flash ). The net effect would be the same, I would have thought, you have a series of articles on a specialised subject. Perhaps when WinFX goes into public use, you'll get lots of work out of it... Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
-
For a contractor, "gaps between contracts" = vacation.
This vacation time can be used to improve / build solutions that you can offer to your existing and/or prospective clients. Or experiment with new tech, get certification etc. But obviously this doesn't pay the bills so you need to keep unpaid vacation to a minimum. I could do with some to be honest... obviously i'd prefer paid vacation, but that's just one of the sacrifices you make as a contractor.
-
Marc Clifton wrote: This is my second year now. Cool - I guess I never noticed because I had no idea what an MVP was until I became one. So, see you in Seattle then ? I'm there from the Monday, and hoping for some sort of CP get together on the Tuesday night. Marc Clifton wrote: Whereas, most of mine come from the MyXaml articles and website. I'm always late to the party, I've just worked out what XaML is through using WinFX. So you think there's a big future in this stuff ? The advantage I can see with Avalon is if people have it installed, then you can write a desktop and a web app in the one step, and deliver over the web ( i.e. replace Flash ). The net effect would be the same, I would have thought, you have a series of articles on a specialised subject. Perhaps when WinFX goes into public use, you'll get lots of work out of it... Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
Christian Graus wrote: So, see you in Seattle then ? I'm there from the Monday, and hoping for some sort of CP get together on the Tuesday night. Ah, sadly no. My son gets back on Friday from spending 3 weeks with his mom, and I'm eager to spend some time with him before school starts. Besides, I've never been one to really get much out of these convention things. Maybe it's me. Christian Graus wrote: So you think there's a big future in this stuff ? Well, if I have anything to do about it, using XML for UI's is just the tip of the iceburg for declarative programming in general. The separation between imperative and declarative code is such a valuable architectural technique, that I wouldn't program without it. To declaratively program the structure/state of the application and imperatively program the behavior has saved me countless hours of refactoring when a structural/state change has been needed, or when a new behavior needs to be plugged into an existing application. (ok, I'll get off the grandstand now) Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String Helpers -
As one who never tried to be self-employed I'm wondering how do you guys find clients? What are possible gaps between contracts, and how you are not going into a nervous breakdown during those periods.
I once heard someone say that contractors are programmers who could not get permanent jobs. I know that sounds inflammatory but I don't mean it to be. Wouldn't you always want a permanent job though given the benefits and all?
-
Christian Graus wrote: So, see you in Seattle then ? I'm there from the Monday, and hoping for some sort of CP get together on the Tuesday night. Ah, sadly no. My son gets back on Friday from spending 3 weeks with his mom, and I'm eager to spend some time with him before school starts. Besides, I've never been one to really get much out of these convention things. Maybe it's me. Christian Graus wrote: So you think there's a big future in this stuff ? Well, if I have anything to do about it, using XML for UI's is just the tip of the iceburg for declarative programming in general. The separation between imperative and declarative code is such a valuable architectural technique, that I wouldn't program without it. To declaratively program the structure/state of the application and imperatively program the behavior has saved me countless hours of refactoring when a structural/state change has been needed, or when a new behavior needs to be plugged into an existing application. (ok, I'll get off the grandstand now) Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String HelpersMarc Clifton wrote: My son gets back on Friday from spending 3 weeks with his mom, and I'm eager to spend some time with him before school starts. Fair enough. Divorced with kids must suck.... Marc Clifton wrote: I've never been one to really get much out of these convention things. Maybe it's me. For me, the best bit is the inside info we get, meeting the product groups and so on. But I'm also using the trip to meet with the guy in Texas I work for, to be honest, that holds more value for me overall. Marc Clifton wrote: Well, if I have anything to do about it, using XML for UI's is just the tip of the iceburg for declarative programming in general. The separation between imperative and declarative code is such a valuable architectural technique, that I wouldn't program without it. To declaratively program the structure/state of the application and imperatively program the behavior has saved me countless hours of refactoring when a structural/state change has been needed, or when a new behavior needs to be plugged into an existing application. Interesting.... I'm a real beginner at this, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the use of it. I guess I should read your articles ? Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
-
Marc Clifton wrote: My son gets back on Friday from spending 3 weeks with his mom, and I'm eager to spend some time with him before school starts. Fair enough. Divorced with kids must suck.... Marc Clifton wrote: I've never been one to really get much out of these convention things. Maybe it's me. For me, the best bit is the inside info we get, meeting the product groups and so on. But I'm also using the trip to meet with the guy in Texas I work for, to be honest, that holds more value for me overall. Marc Clifton wrote: Well, if I have anything to do about it, using XML for UI's is just the tip of the iceburg for declarative programming in general. The separation between imperative and declarative code is such a valuable architectural technique, that I wouldn't program without it. To declaratively program the structure/state of the application and imperatively program the behavior has saved me countless hours of refactoring when a structural/state change has been needed, or when a new behavior needs to be plugged into an existing application. Interesting.... I'm a real beginner at this, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the use of it. I guess I should read your articles ? Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
What you should most definitely do is read his early articles. That was back in the day when he would ask me questions about XML. I've still got this huge pride issue about teaching Marc Clifton something... :rolleyes:
[Cheshire] I can't afford those plastic things to cover the electric sockets so I just draw bunny faces on the electric outlets to scare the kids away from them... [RLtim] Newsflash! Kids aren't afraid of bunnies. [Cheshire] Oh they will be... -Bash.org
-
Marc Clifton wrote: My son gets back on Friday from spending 3 weeks with his mom, and I'm eager to spend some time with him before school starts. Fair enough. Divorced with kids must suck.... Marc Clifton wrote: I've never been one to really get much out of these convention things. Maybe it's me. For me, the best bit is the inside info we get, meeting the product groups and so on. But I'm also using the trip to meet with the guy in Texas I work for, to be honest, that holds more value for me overall. Marc Clifton wrote: Well, if I have anything to do about it, using XML for UI's is just the tip of the iceburg for declarative programming in general. The separation between imperative and declarative code is such a valuable architectural technique, that I wouldn't program without it. To declaratively program the structure/state of the application and imperatively program the behavior has saved me countless hours of refactoring when a structural/state change has been needed, or when a new behavior needs to be plugged into an existing application. Interesting.... I'm a real beginner at this, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the use of it. I guess I should read your articles ? Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
Christian Graus wrote: Divorced with kids must suck.... Yup. I sometimes wonder if it was the right decision, and this is 11 years later! But I always come back to the thought that you can only change yourself, you can can't change someone else. And I wasn't willing to change myself to the point of such compromise. Christian Graus wrote: I guess I should read your articles ? I'd be flattered. This one: Comparing Declarative And Imperative Programming[^] is probably the best one, as it encompasses techniques that go beyond just UI definition. I have a blog entry[^] on declarative programming in a n-tier environment that is a "thinking out loud" concept piece that you might find interesting as well. As you can imagine, I can discuss these things to the end of time, and am more than willing to do so! Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String Helpers -
What you should most definitely do is read his early articles. That was back in the day when he would ask me questions about XML. I've still got this huge pride issue about teaching Marc Clifton something... :rolleyes:
[Cheshire] I can't afford those plastic things to cover the electric sockets so I just draw bunny faces on the electric outlets to scare the kids away from them... [RLtim] Newsflash! Kids aren't afraid of bunnies. [Cheshire] Oh they will be... -Bash.org
David Stone wrote: I've still got this huge pride issue about teaching Marc Clifton something... LOL! And I have you and leppie to thank! (IIRC, leppie suggested using reflection and type converters, and the rest was history!) Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String Helpers -
Christian Graus wrote: Divorced with kids must suck.... Yup. I sometimes wonder if it was the right decision, and this is 11 years later! But I always come back to the thought that you can only change yourself, you can can't change someone else. And I wasn't willing to change myself to the point of such compromise. Christian Graus wrote: I guess I should read your articles ? I'd be flattered. This one: Comparing Declarative And Imperative Programming[^] is probably the best one, as it encompasses techniques that go beyond just UI definition. I have a blog entry[^] on declarative programming in a n-tier environment that is a "thinking out loud" concept piece that you might find interesting as well. As you can imagine, I can discuss these things to the end of time, and am more than willing to do so! Marc My website
Latest Articles: Object Comparer String HelpersMarc Clifton wrote: As you can imagine, I can discuss these things to the end of time, and am more than willing to do so! Thanks, I'm downloading that article for offline reading, and I'm sure you'll hear more from me soon. Like I have time to do this sort of research, but I need to make time, I think. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++