Self-Employment

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I have been thinking quite a bit recently about becoming more self-reliant/independent. The number one thing I need to do is have a job/income. I think that I could be much more successful working in a more consultant/independent contractor type of situation rather than working at a job with scheduled hours on scheduled days, etc. The ideal job for me would probably be working independently as a computer programmer... I absolutely I have the technical skills to do this kind of work and I definitely enjoy the work, but from the internships I have had I think I just find the strict hours and office environment takes it's toll on me. I really want to be a professional computer programmer but I really do not want to work in an office with lots of other people, etc.

Are any of you out there self-employed (in any field)? I have some questions that I would appreciate if someone with experience could answer:

1. How did you get started in your career? I have done some independent programming work before but just kind of happened upon it on accident. I do have a plethora of programs I have written that I kind of consider a 'portfolio' of sorts but I have no idea how I can use that.
2. How many hours do you typically work in a week? With a 9 to 5 job your hours are pretty clearly defined but when you are self-employed do you find yourself working more than 40 hours a week? Less than 40 hours a week?
3. How do you attract new clients? You cant really be self-employed without customers/clients, any general advice on how you acquire and maintain customers?
4. What are some of the biggest challenges you face? It seems like self-discipline would be very important working independently, but what other factors are challenging?
5. Any other tips, advice, words of caution?

I know its not something I could do overnight but I think in terms of a more far-reaching goal self-employment seems like the right thing for me. Do you think that my ideas are realistic, could I be able to support myself without having a more typical job... or am I just dreaming and not realizing that I probably can't achieve this? I'm currently living with my parents so my costs are pretty low and I do have one lead for doing some website design work through my dad, so at least I have something to start on... but one project is not a career.

Since you're not working now; taking the project is a no brainer if you can land it through the lead.

Self discipline is needed and is no small feat when working on one's own. It's unbelievable what other, non-business, work becomes imperative, all of a sudden, when self employed. The best tool for me has been scruptiously logging my hours on the job and annotated by project/task. This works for me in two ways.

First, it keeps me honest about how many hours I am actually putting in; no denial or exageration about the time I put in, because I can see how many hours it really is.

Second; it provides me with an accurate accounting of exactly and really how long it takes me to do various projects for the purpose of pricing. Clients want to know how much my service/product will cost and my log provides me with the data needed to cost/price stuff.

If you know what sorts of businesses your skills/background in programming lends itself to; do those areas of commerce/fields have peroidicals? That's the best place to advertise your service.

Business owners will tell you that having previously worked as an employee in their field provided very valuable training for them. Sort of paid on the job experience which has saved them months and years of experimentation. Don't hesitate to take employment as a prudent 1st step to your own future business.

As an employee with an eye to going into business, be observant of how the workplace is organized and all manner of work details. That background will save tons of headaches when you set your own gig.

On the one hand, self-employment means that you call the shots and collect all the profit.

On the other hand, you are taking all of the risks without support or back-up.

On the gripping hand, if the only other option is unemployment, then self-employment is the better choice.

I have done many different gigs in the computer field ranging from programming, repair, general advice, and even writing books. One piece of advice I would give is to have at least 3 different specialties. You should also work for firms where you have direct contact with clients for whom you provide products before going completely independent if you possibly can. This will give you a group of people who have seen your work. For independents, word of mouth advertisement is the best way of getting known. You cannot compete with the big firms advertisement budgets, so you will have to be innovative to attract clients.

Do you have any ideas for unique products that you think may become popular? Do you know of a problem that most people are not aware for which you can provide a solution? Are you good at salesmanship? When dealing with other businesses, be aware that most business people put right and wrong, helping others, etc. BEHIND dollars and cents. Helping others and making themselves look good are things that will help sell a product or service ONLY after you are able to show how your product or service will be able to make or save money. You should also have a way to make your product, service, and most importantly, yourself stand out above the thousands of others who are trying to do the same thing.

I recently published my first book, "Tech Tactics Money Saving Secrets." I spent months writing this book, and after getting it to market, I found out that most authors only sell about a total of 10 books. This was discouraging, and yet, I have already exceeded that amount. My book is a very good book, and so are those of many other independent authors. However, most independent authors do not have the marketing power or connections to get their work in front of book buyers. However, even if I do not sell another single copy, the book can still make me money. How? I can use the book to market myself. The words, "Published author of ......," will look good on a resume or portfolio, especially if the book is good. The words, "Published Author of five books including ......," will look even better.

The moral of the story is to get yourself out there and become known to lots of potential customers, and you will have a shot of making it. The more places you can get your name out in a positive way, the better chances you have. An employer or prospective client only has to input my name into Google, and he or she will see four references to me on the first page. The same goes for the second, etc. pages as well. If the prospective client or employer inputs my book's name, he or she will see that Google will show about 31000 links to my resume or portfolio (author's biography).

In some cases one can be well known even in a bad sense and still be able to use that infamy to attract clients. Just look at the talentless hacks on "The Jersey Shore." or many of the other TV shows. Just about anything these people become associated will will sell much more than products without such associations. A viral video about a musician's complaint with an airliner propelled him to instant fame. His music sells much better now than it did before.

Being well known or even perceived as being well known helps a lot in the NT world. I'm still working on it, and I hopefully will be successful. I'm working on getting my name out there, and I think you should consider it too.

I put off replying to this thread for several days.

Self-employment isn't for everyone, but if nobody will hire you, it's better than waiting on your ass for someone to offer you an opportunity.

With that said....

My "job" is one I already had/have. I changed my relationship with the employer to start a business concept, but a large part of what I do is still what I always did. I ran into a wall in that I have a concept, but no way to really market it to someone. The business still runs as a business for now.



I typically work a 40-hour week.



N/A



For me, finding a way to get my business to branch into other things so that it's truly it's own business and not an infant concept stuck where it's at.



Let's take a more pragmatic example of a small business any Aspie might be able to handle....mowing lawns.

1. How did you get started in your career?

Buy a lawn mower, edger, trimmer. Have a means to transport. See if you need insurance. See if you need permits. You could likely find work just going door-to-door and be willing to haggle on price. A lot of people would gladly shell out $40 every 2 weeks for someone to do their yard rather than do it themselves....even in a bad economy if they have to go to work during the day.

2. How many hours do you typically work in a week?

Mowing lawns in the heat might limit you to 2-3 yards a day. I doubt you'd want to work more than 40 hours a week.

3. How do you attract new clients?

Door-to-door (gotta force yourself to overcome fears of dealing with people). Fliers. Community bulletins. Church advertising (some have ads on the back of the weekly bulletin).

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you face?

Other than buckling down and getting the job done...people will find someone else if you're not reliable....dealing with people one on one if it's a problem for you. Be sure to keep good records and ensure any tax liabilities, permits, etc. are taken care of on time and documented.

5. Any other tips, advice, words of caution?

Most small businesses involve a lot of work. You can do a little bit of work and get by or work your ass off and have a shot of making a lot of money, but there are no guarantees. Everyone dreams of doing what they "love" and making a fortune off of it, but life doesn't work that way. You might be a good programmer, but if your product is not inspirational, you might never make a fortune (or even a living) doing that. Lots of business ideas sound like a good idea but fail for any number of real problems the business owner did not address before trying to set up shop. Unless you want to do something small and simple, it is important to address your business idea completely and honestly before trying to make it happen. Most businesses (8/10) fail within 2 years. There are many reasons, but even in a good economy with a hard working person and a good business idea, that is not a guarantee that it will prosper. Even with something as simple as food, a good restaurant might open and do well, but it might not keep doing well to remain open. People tire of the same old stuff. A restaurant is a lot of work and owners burn out. Why do you think McDonald's is still in business with their crappy food? MARKETING that tells people they should want to eat there. God knows the food hasn't really improved.

Thanks for all thought thoughtful replies everyone! It has been really helpful to read what you have all said. I think I will try to pursue self-employment as a goal. It sounds like it is possible to be successful on your own, though I realize it comes with its own pros and cons.

I think the toughest part for me would be the marketing/people skills aspect of it. I tend to get anxious around new people, but perhaps leveraging my special interest will help me around that a bit. I could talk forever about computer programming... which may be a good thing when trying to sell myself. Everyone I have ever worked for has told me that I work hard and do a good job though, so maybe word of mouth could help me find work.

Anyway, I guess it is just one step at a time!

I've tried and failed miserably at it.

It doesn't matter how good you are at the job, you still have convince hundreds of people to pay you to do the job for them.

It is the last bit I find hard.

Indeed, marketing and finding clients/customers is one of the most crucial skills needed to succeed in business. While you may be technically skilled, one of the things that companies don't teach technical employees is marketing and that's essentially the lifeblood of business. If you fail at marketing, you fail at business, simple as that.

I work contractually with establishments, not individuals.
I.e. I get the project, they tell me how much money they have to spend and how long they want the project to go on for. I tell them how many hours a week that equates to. I work one project at a time.

Self employment =

Longer hours.
You're usually finding clients yourself, managing client interactions.

It's all on you.
You have to find the clients, handle the money (or hire someone to)..

Work whenever, wherever.

Work in a field you like.

You can do it your way.... up to a limit. Clients pay the bills, so they're ultimately the final say.

Money can be amazing one month, low the next, or you could go months without "money" jobs with self-employment.

If you want to become self employed you really need some experience in your chosen field. If you haven't been employed in the field for some time it will be much harder to succeed.

I was employed for 8 years then my employer decided to double my work load and try to cut my pay so I walked. As I was the only programmer/designer there I took some of their customers with me and did quite a bit of work for them so I had a ready made customer base.

For the first few years 40 hours was pretty much the minimum, often a lot more. Now I probably do about 30 because I am lazy. If I did more hours I could earn more but I prefer having the spare time for myself.

I am very lucky in that I get most of my new customers through word of mouth. I keep my customers because I am good at my job. I do the work well and on time. Pleased customers will recommend you to others.

Motivation and self discipline are my major difficulties. When starting out, getting customers is usually the most difficult.

Developing a business takes time. For the first 18 months or so I only just scraped in enough to live. It has taken about 10 years for the business to really take off.
Decide on a 'bail out limit' before you start. If your bank account drops below this limit, give up. Don't let yourself get in debt. Businesses that are in debt only make a profit for the banks. I've seen it happen so many times - people think that if they throw just a little bit more money at it they will succeed. Next thing they know they have a huge overdraft and no way to pay it off.

Listen to your customers. If they ask for something that is impossible, tell them but give a good explanation why. If they ask for something that seems stupid, think about it very carefully. If it is still stupid, again try to explain why but be careful not to upset them. Don't take criticism personally. Ignore emotion and look at it rationally. Your masterpiece may not be what they want so although it may hurt, you need to change it so that it is what they want.

Do it and try to make a really good job of it, even if you end up not making much. You will gain a lot of experience and if they are happy you may well find more work comes your way.

and of course it is nearly impossible to get a regular corporate job ever again

Yes, that is an issue. First, many companies won't want to employ you and second if you succeeded in your self employment you won't want to go back to employment.

But for some, it is their chance at making some type of income if no employer will hire you. I am 37 an essentially unemployable because of a horrible work history in my field accounting / finance. I am ending a six month contract job this friday (my performance was 'great' according to the agency but my end date wasn't extended). so my resume is just a hodgepodge of temp/contract jobs for the past 4 years with no real accomplishments. I have a business on the side but only getting around $1000 - $1300 a week plus the fact that my credit is horrendous (many chargedoff unpaid credit cards)..

Oh and it worsens social anxiety & depression when you don't have a 'real' job, people automatically think you are (pick one) strange, weird, lazy if you aren't part of the 96% of people in the USA with a college degree that is fully employed.