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- Path: news.ns.net!nhost
- From: abpub@ns.net (Adams-Blake Pub.)
- Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
- Subject: Serious Book on Tech. Contracting (for C Programmers and Other Tech. People)
- Date: 13 Apr 1996 19:45:11 GMT
- Organization: NextGen Systems Internet Services
- Message-ID: <4kp087$bi4@falcon.ns.net>
- NNTP-Posting-Host: ppp10.ns.net
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-
-
-
- People who are proficient in technical areas (C/++ programming, tech.
- writing, graphics, database, engineering, network admin. etc.) have a
- unique opportunity to work independently as a contract consultant.
- While not for everyone, for most, doing contract work will result in a
- significant increase in income. Others, especially those with children
- or other responsibilities, prefer the more flexible work schedule.
- There are also those who seek to work out of their home. However, it is
- not get-rich-quick (or slow) by any stretch of the imagination.
-
- Starting an independent consulting business is not the easiest thing in
- the world but it's absolutely doable by most technically skilled
- people. Finding clients and knowing how to conduct oneself in
- face-to-face sales situations are the two most difficult tasks for most
- people. Those who want to work through brokers or agents can do so, but
- they have to know how to negotiate so the agent doesn't end up with all
- the money.
-
- Technical people have the most difficulty with sales and marketing.
- Marketing is not sales. Marekting is finding someone to sell to. Sales
- is the face-to-face meeting. With respect to face-to-face sales, it is
- not like a job interview. You must be in control and direct each
- "scene" of the play. You're equal, not subservient to the client. There
- is no single fool-proof strategy, but there are many different ways the
- technical sale can be (or should be) closed.
-
- There are a multitude of agents who act as third party matchmakers.
- Using one can be a good way to start out, however you will give up a
- good part of your billing income. With agents, there are many contract
- pitfalls, such as the "you're not paid until we're paid" clause you
- must be aware of and be able to negotiate around.
-
- And of course, you have to be qualified. Yet, it's not technical
- knowledge that is the most necessary ingredient to success. You must
- have a take-a-risk personality. You have to want an "adventure." You
- have to be motivated by money because no one is going to stroke your
- ego while on the job.
-
- Our small publishing company has a (popular) 320 page title on the subject of
- technical consulting. It is called ComputerMoney: Making It In High-Tech
- Consulting.(Adams-Blake Pub., $29.95, 1-800-368-ADAM Visa/MC, 1-883422-01-9)
-
- With respect to the non-commercial nature of Usenet, we will not post the
- focus, the table of contents, author, or any other material. As they say on
- Wall Street, "this announcement is neither an offer to sell, nor a
- solicitation of an offer to buy. The offer is made only by the prospectus."
- Basically, I hope you will find this post informational for this
- readership. There is a good opportuity in contracting, evidenced by the large
- number of people who make a pretty good living doing it.
-
- If you have an interest in consulting, contact us by e-mail and I will
- send some information via return e-mail.
-
- Mary Margaret Wilson
- Media Relations
- Adams-Blake Publishing
- abpub@ns.net
-