10+ Years IT Contracting at €300-900/day (Learnings)

[Mark Horrocks]

I was an IT contractor for over 10 years, earning €300-600/day (with the occasional €900/day short-term gigs).

I've had a few AdWords jobs and contracts since 2009 (and am currently still in one long running one).

In that time, I've learnt how to:

1. Build relationships with recruitment agents.
2. Build a network of other contractors.
3. Get my "name out there".
4. Craft CVs that get interviews.
5. Craft cover letters that get the CVs read.
6. Get recruitment agents to " . just . open . the . damn . email . already . "
7. Get to the interviews.
8. Have a great interview.
9. Negotiate rates and terms.
10. Get contract extensions (don't just be valuable, show them you're valuable).
11. Keep up to date with constantly changing technology.
12. Move from slow-lane models to where I divorce my time from my revenue (still in progress!)
13. Work out who you’re really working for!
14. (Lots more...)

I'm learning to create videos, and have a series in mind that I'll drop in here.

Hope they help.

Andy

A friend of mine is an IT guy.. pretty good at what he does but he's not very the sales type of guy. Looking for clients and all that is just not for him but he wants some gigs/contracts.

I am in sales for over 4 years now ( telecom services ) and I'd be ready to take care of that part so we can partner up to start a business.
The only problem : I'm not the IT type at all...

What's the best way to learn enough about IT to be able to sell it

I was a I.T. freelancer for 20+ years and made decent money £20K per month but the downside I was always on the road. It was long hours as clients paying you £650+ per day wanted a return and quite right. I got into freelancing as I was broke! it was simple as that. I learned new skills and kept ahead of the curve offering 110% value to my clients.
Do I miss those days no I do not as it did not scale as I could not clone myself plus operatings costs soared which crippled my net profit. I now have businesses that operate 24x7 and do the thing I like to do. Please do not be put off by freelancing I just hit a income wall and realised there must be more efficient ways to make money rather than trading time for money.

 

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[Andy Black]

I was a I.T. freelancer for 20+ years and made decent money £20K per month but the downside I was always on the road. It was long hours as clients paying you £650+ per day wanted a return and quite right. I got into freelancing as I was broke! it was simple as that. I learned new skills and kept ahead of the curve offering 110% value to my clients.
Do I miss those days no I do not as it did not scale as I could not clone myself plus operatings costs soared which crippled my net profit. I now have businesses that operate 24x7 and do the thing I like to do. Please do not be put off by freelancing I just hit a income wall and realised there must be more efficient ways to make money rather than trading time for money.

Exactly what I learned. I wasn't on the road but on client sites for months or years, and at a slightly lower rate. I don't miss those days, and I still enjoy having consulting clients that I work-from-home for. Having those consulting clients helps me see where I can build products/services that can scale without so much of my time.

 

[Mark Horrocks]

Exactly what I learned. I wasn't on the road but on client sites for months or years, and at a slightly lower rate. I don't miss those days, and I still enjoy having consulting clients that I work-from-home for. Having those consulting clients helps me see where I can build products/services that can scale without so much of my time.

I wrote a book on my freelance journey it sells on Amazon it's only £1.90 gives some good advice for newbies.

Computer Contractor Guide eBook : Horrocks, Mark: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Computer Contractor Guide eBook : Horrocks, Mark: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

www.amazon.co.uk

If you can remember the publication Freelance Informer you were in the great era of contracting!!!!!!!!

 

[Andy Black]

I wrote a book on my freelance journey it sells on Amazon it's only £1.90 gives some good advice for newbies.

Computer Contractor Guide eBook : Horrocks, Mark: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Computer Contractor Guide eBook : Horrocks, Mark: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

www.amazon.co.uk

If you can remember the publication Freelance Informer you were in the great era of contracting!!!!!!!!

Dude! Are you selling that to all the IT folks out there who think about contracting but aren't?

 

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[Mark Horrocks]

Dude! Are you selling that to all the IT folks out there who think about contracting but aren't?

Anyone who is interested in contracting. I do not rely on sales on this book for my income. I also have a video courses as well. Thanks

 

[ZackerySprague]

I wrote a book on my freelance journey it sells on Amazon it's only £1.90 gives some good advice for newbies.

Computer Contractor Guide eBook : Horrocks, Mark: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Computer Contractor Guide eBook : Horrocks, Mark: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

www.amazon.co.uk

If you can remember the publication Freelance Informer you were in the great era of contracting!!!!!!!!

Did you happen to have this available for the states?

I am actually signing my very first IT Contract today for self-employment.

 

[Mark Horrocks]

Did you happen to have this available for the states?

I am actually signing my very first IT Contract today for self-employment.

I will try and email it to you for free. Thanks

 

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[ZackerySprague]

I will try and email it to you for free. Thanks

Thanks man!

 

[Mark Horrocks]

Thanks man!

How can I send this eBook to you?

 

[ZackerySprague]

How can I send this eBook to you?

I'll PM you.

Sent you a DM!

 

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