How many people here unemployed and looking for a job?

[Sesimie]

Since I started doing my own IT business..it's been very rough financially to the point where I must supplement my income with other than IT jobs....

But it's really tough to find work as a freelancer....


How many of us have struggled or are still struggling?

Anyone find mid to long term strategies to survive this economy?

Thoughts?

 

[captainchris]

I was in your position at one point in time. U did IT work as well as everything else.. Concrete, woodwork, electrical...car audio and mechanics..

I couldnt take it again. Too tired at the end of a day, eventually got a full time job thankful to God for that. Then from there I lessened my private jobs and that is how I am able to now be grateful for the skills I have and buy all these nice toys.

My advice coming from someone who was in your shoe, do not limit yourself, there is always a job out there with your name on it, you have to find it.

[woodyear99]

Hey Sesimie,

I can definitely relate to your situation. Starting your own business can be tough indeed, many fail within a short period of time. I do believe if it is your passion then you should keep at it, even if you have to take on a regular 9-5 job and only focus on your business during weekends.

Reminds me of a quote I read in a book from the late Randy Pausch....

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

[UltimateGamer]

After working as a professional developer for 3 1/2 years making lots of money, the company I was working for went under (don't ask long story), and I was left out in the cold. I had skill, training and lots of experience, but finding work was difficult to say the least. If I had to get a 9 - 5, we were talkin about a massive paycut. So I decided to go off on my own and do my own thing.

I managed to get a link on my first freelance contract, and during that time, ran into an old buddy who's web company just went under and was in the same boat as I was. So we teamed up, his marketing and design skills plus my experience and coding skills and a new company was born.

We have been at it for about 2 years now, and I will tell you, things are tough. We go months without contracts, barely able to keep our head above the water. But then there are the good months when we sometime get 2 or 3 contracts that help keep us afloat.

When working freelance or being self employed, there are 3 tips that I have learned over the past couple of years.

1/ Proper money management. Spend on what you need to survive, put the rest away for the slower times.

2/ Market, market, market. Facebook, fliers, walk store to store, network and meet people. You have to get your name out there somehow. (A website/Facebook page is a good place to start as well)

3/ Get affiliates. Get to know your "competitors" or other people who do similar work as you, and tell them that you are available if they ever need an extra hand, or if too much work comes your way, you might throw something their way. You may need to sacrifice a much needed contract to earn their trust, but once its the right set of people/company, you could definitely increase your chances of getting new work coming your way.

You know, even today we are still struggling but we are trying to grow by gaining affiliates. Its tough to be out there on your own, but as woody said, if its your passion, stick to it. I won't trade my harsh life now for a 9 - 5 paying me lots of money for anything.