New Directions for RA Design: State of the Rami
Readers,
As the seven of you know, for many years now, I’ve touted the pros and cons of being a freelance developer. It’s given me the freedom to choose when and how I work; often affording me the ability to telecommute for months at a time, or make a website while camping on a mountain*. But it also means other not-so-glamorous things, like having to wear forty different hats at once:
- Accountant
- Office Manager
- Graphic Designer
- Programmer
- Motivator
- Boss
- Employee
- Salesman
- Marketer
I’ve worked on some amazing projects, and have met some great people. So, you’re probably wondering why I’m going on and on….
Because I’ve take a position as Lead Developer of a web design firm! This means I no longer have the time to entertain what marketing types call “cold leads”: people I don’t know, that are interested in my services.
BUT BUT BUT…
I will go into a bit more detail in the form of a question-answer session:
Q: So, you’re not taking clients unless you know them personally? That’s snooty.
A: Yeah, I can understand why someone would think that. Ask another freelancer, though, and they’ll tell you why this is necessary: Because of the ‘qualifying phase’. This is the (necessary) period of time where both myself and the client are assessing whether or not we can work together. ( Is she going to pay her invoice? Does he only have that one yahoo account? Should I quote by budget, or hourly? ) and likewise, for the client: ( Can I trust him? Why doesn’t he have a fancy office? Does he actually know how to make websites at all? Why is his personal blog so weird and random? )
Q: I’m a current client. Does this affect any of my services, like hosting, email, accessing your client system, or my existing maintenance contract?
A: Nope! Everything remains the same for you guys.
Q: I don’t know you, but a client of yours recommended you. Am I lucky enough to have you make my website, your majesty?
A: Yes, especially if you do something neat, or you’re a fellow artist or musician.
Q: I just need simple services, like hosting. Is that cool?
A: Sure.
Q: So wait. I don’t know you, or your clients. What are you talking about?
A: Time management, and the future of several clients I work with. Power. Existence. Emotion. I’m talkin’ bout if being in the middle of life, man.
Q: What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?
A: 42.
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