Ok, we know we are late on sharing this post. However, we believe the information in this post is relevant to so many freelancers, and may spark thoughts and ideas that can help advance the conversation.
On Friday (2.5.10) an amazing group of freelancers met at CoCo to discuss what problems keep them awake at night. This is the second in a series of meetings that we will host here at CoCo in the effort to build broader collaboration amongst freelancers across disciplines. These sessions will be followed by an educational series for freelancers to help them solve and work together on making their individual businesses more effective, and at the same time expand their role in the broader community.
The first session had the following all-star cast:
- Deborah Vajda, writer
- Jenn Barnett, photographer
- Betsy Kershaw, marketing diva
- Janis Olson, writer
- Ketan Kakkad, founder of TheSmallWorld & co-owner of CurryUp
- Arun Batchu, programmer & owner of CurryUp
- Valerie Rigsbee, web designer & Broadway expert
In addition to great conversation and ideation, we enjoyed phenomenal curry food from CurryUp and Eric TremperTremble at Comfy Chair Consulting. You definitely do not want to miss any future curry potlucks – after all you only live once!
During our discussion, the group identified the following top issues:
- Finding first users for a new product or service
- How to sell
- Connecting, and staying connected, with other freelancers
- How to serve multiple businesses during the startup mode (wearing two or more hats)
- Finding enough time to do all that needs to be done
- Finding work
- Networking
- How to make your passion a business, and make money at it
- Balancing family and work- creating realistic boundaries
- How to attract larger projects – balancing the project portfolio with small & large projects
- Finding time to actually do the work that has been sold
- Protecting Intellectual Property (IP)
- Promotion of services
- Pricing of services – balancing value & price
- Having enough money to invest into equipment or needing equipment before the money is there
I think all freelancers can relate to one or more of the issues listed above. At times the isolation of being a freelancer can cause doubt, fear, and loneliness. At the same time, everyone in the group said they are doing doing the work they’ve always wanted.
At the end of the event, we are all a little wiser. We also experienced what can happen when diverse backgrounds join in a conversation sharing concerns and ideas in an open collaborative environment. Friends are made, ventures are born, and value is created!
During our conversation Arun Batchu recommended the book “The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything”. Arun inspired each of us with his holistic view of contribution.
We are looking forward to future discussions, and a series where freelancers can collectively build on the wisdom of the crowd along with some guidance of individuals how have been there and done that…. Stay tuned!
Actually, it’s Eric Tremper, not Tremble. But I do appreciate the mention, and the link even more!
Sorry, Eric. Our bad! Made the correction.