4 ms·

Personally I regained a lot of motivation by going subcontracting. It lights a fire under your butt.

by cerberusss 6y ago

brailsafe 6y ago
Contracting on higher value shorter term projects had crossed my mind. Care to elaborate?
- cerberusss 6y ago
  What I really like about subcontracting, is that you are not carrying the full risk for the project. However, the client is still the client, and this carries with itself both a freedom (no loyalties beyond the contractual) and an added responsibility (it's your client, and you want them to be happy). It's a style which suits me, and gives an added motivation. Note that if the work itself is extremely boring, this still doesn't make it all hunky-dory. There must be a balance here. Personally, I like the smaller-sized projects where the iOS part can be done either by myself or with another team member. This way, I have enough overview to wrap up the project in a decent time and look for another if it's not to my liking.
  - sdwedq 6y ago
    I have been considering freelancing route for a while. And the reasons you gave above are same for me. In addition, I work in a big corp where I spend a lot of time red tapes formalities but contractors in my team only have to worry about their code and they get paid almost double some employees. My question is how did you get started? I know you said subcontracting, is it through a consulting firm or do you do it through your own firm?
    - cerberusss 6y ago
      I set up my own firm first. But for my country (Netherlands) that's really just a simple registration that takes all of ten minutes. Then I sent my resume to a number of agencies that broker between corporations and subcontractors. They usually ask your rate, do the negotiations with you and the end custoner, and take 15-25% margin. I think it's worth it but YMMV. Furthermore there's a host of smaller stuff that you need to take care of. Liability ensurance, pension, health insurance, bookkeeping, separate bank account, and sending a time sheet and bill every month.

Personally I regained a lot of motivation by going subcontracting. It lights a fire under your butt.

brailsafe 6y ago

Contracting on higher value shorter term projects had crossed my mind. Care to elaborate?

cerberusss 6y ago
What I really like about subcontracting, is that you are not carrying the full risk for the project. However, the client is still the client, and this carries with itself both a freedom (no loyalties beyond the contractual) and an added responsibility (it's your client, and you want them to be happy). It's a style which suits me, and gives an added motivation. Note that if the work itself is extremely boring, this still doesn't make it all hunky-dory. There must be a balance here. Personally, I like the smaller-sized projects where the iOS part can be done either by myself or with another team member. This way, I have enough overview to wrap up the project in a decent time and look for another if it's not to my liking.
- sdwedq 6y ago
  I have been considering freelancing route for a while. And the reasons you gave above are same for me. In addition, I work in a big corp where I spend a lot of time red tapes formalities but contractors in my team only have to worry about their code and they get paid almost double some employees. My question is how did you get started? I know you said subcontracting, is it through a consulting firm or do you do it through your own firm?
  - cerberusss 6y ago
    I set up my own firm first. But for my country (Netherlands) that's really just a simple registration that takes all of ten minutes. Then I sent my resume to a number of agencies that broker between corporations and subcontractors. They usually ask your rate, do the negotiations with you and the end custoner, and take 15-25% margin. I think it's worth it but YMMV. Furthermore there's a host of smaller stuff that you need to take care of. Liability ensurance, pension, health insurance, bookkeeping, separate bank account, and sending a time sheet and bill every month.