It’s now six months that I’ve been in business on my own.
It’s been a great experience. I’ve learnt a lot, and I thought it was worth
getting a few of those learnings down.
The
phone doesn’t ring by itself
You may have a cold lead, a warm lead, a promise that a project is in the pipeline, an established client. Whatever the status, don’t expect them to call back. They’re busy people. You need to gently, friendlily (?), usefully keep front of mind. Almost all the work I’ve had has started with my client saying “I’m glad you got in touch…”
You may have a cold lead, a warm lead, a promise that a project is in the pipeline, an established client. Whatever the status, don’t expect them to call back. They’re busy people. You need to gently, friendlily (?), usefully keep front of mind. Almost all the work I’ve had has started with my client saying “I’m glad you got in touch…”
Coffee
is very powerful
No, not for the all-night sessions to finish two projects on deadline – I’ve been lucky enough to not have many of those. But with a good introduction (or an existing relationship), the offer to come to them and buy them a coffee, is hard to turn down. And the face-to-face conversation you’ll have (note, NOT a presentation) is the best way to create a mutually-beneficial relationship.
No, not for the all-night sessions to finish two projects on deadline – I’ve been lucky enough to not have many of those. But with a good introduction (or an existing relationship), the offer to come to them and buy them a coffee, is hard to turn down. And the face-to-face conversation you’ll have (note, NOT a presentation) is the best way to create a mutually-beneficial relationship.
There’s
no such thing as a bad conversation
There may be conversations that don’t really go anywhere – so first of all prioritise who to talk to, and understand how you can help them. But every time you talk, you’re having another go at refining your pitch, understanding what people what to know more about and what they struggle to understand. Almost everyone is happy to give you some of their time if you’ve something interesting to say: it may be the next big partnership, it may not, but don’t waste that time. Or theirs!
There may be conversations that don’t really go anywhere – so first of all prioritise who to talk to, and understand how you can help them. But every time you talk, you’re having another go at refining your pitch, understanding what people what to know more about and what they struggle to understand. Almost everyone is happy to give you some of their time if you’ve something interesting to say: it may be the next big partnership, it may not, but don’t waste that time. Or theirs!
Switch
on/Switch off
I’ve learnt to classify my time in three ways now.
1) Paid work – my favourite kind, natch, but it doesn’t fill all my time
2) Business development, knowledge and connection building – calls, research, events, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging – this could fill all my time, and more besides
So, I switch this off this when I’m being paid. Otherwise I decide what is the most useful, core stuff, and what’s the long tail. And when I see the long tail I move into…
3) Switching off – I’m never out of contact, but neither am I sat at my desk. And I’m not fretting either!
I’ve learnt to classify my time in three ways now.
1) Paid work – my favourite kind, natch, but it doesn’t fill all my time
2) Business development, knowledge and connection building – calls, research, events, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging – this could fill all my time, and more besides
So, I switch this off this when I’m being paid. Otherwise I decide what is the most useful, core stuff, and what’s the long tail. And when I see the long tail I move into…
3) Switching off – I’m never out of contact, but neither am I sat at my desk. And I’m not fretting either!
The
perks
There are things I miss about working in-house. A bit of banter and camaraderie, following through with a client, free biscuits. But I went into this for a variety of reasons, among them to be my own boss, to be able to specialise – but it’s the work-life balance that I’ve really enjoyed. As described above, it takes a bit of discipline. But during the week, I see my family about 10 times more than previously. What they think about that I don’t know, but it works for me.
There are things I miss about working in-house. A bit of banter and camaraderie, following through with a client, free biscuits. But I went into this for a variety of reasons, among them to be my own boss, to be able to specialise – but it’s the work-life balance that I’ve really enjoyed. As described above, it takes a bit of discipline. But during the week, I see my family about 10 times more than previously. What they think about that I don’t know, but it works for me.
So, thanks again to all that have supported me in the
first six months. I’ll be calling you soon…
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