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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Marcus </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>...its a constant, never ending process that you
really have to work at ...you have to set aside time almost every day to
"market" yourself, something that doesn't usually come naturally to those of us
who gravitate toward database development as a career choice ...buy a copy
of "Guerilla Marketing" ...its an inexpensive staple at every bookstore and
worth its weight in gold a thousand times over ...at least it has been for me
:)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>...I do a bi-weekly newsletter for both current and
past clients ...bugger together a few relevant articles off the net and cut it
down to their level ...put in a few personal bits to give them that warm, fuzzy
feeling ...some relevant humor ...usually one page double sided ...takes no more
than an hour or so but you'd be amazed at how it keeps your face in front of
them ...and past clients are the very best resource you have for capturing
new clients ...as well as new work from them.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>...I also just "drop by" whenever I have a few
minutes and am in the neighborhood ...never impose, never stay long ..."how're
things going ...blah, blah, blah" ...you know them, they know you ...its not
like selling something ...but I always leave a few cards ...and ALWAYS touch
bases with the 2nd level while you're there ...if the Secretary likes you, you
can bet others there will ...between the newsletters and the "drop-ins" I manage
to get more than enough referrals to replace the work that is at its end ...and
the work you get by referral usually commands better prices because someone
they know has already vouched for your work (which is the primary reason you
never cut your hourly rate ...it gets passed on along with every referral
...cut your hours if you must but never that rate) :)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>...advertising has rarely worked for me ...couple
lines in the Yellow Pages will get you a few calls and less work ...the net is
filled with people buying work at rates that won't feed the cat much less me so
I've never used it for marketing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>...startup can be rough ...if you can't afford some
dry spells you shouldn't look to consulting for a living ...make a list of
everyone you know ...then let them know you're looking for database development
work ...it can be absolutely amazing who you don't know that your friends
do ...and lucrative :) ...volunteer your time with non-profits but always
invoice them for it with your hourly rate and an N/C notation ...they have a LOT
of contacts ...make them happy and they'll help you along the way ...just
remember to be patient ...the people who work for non-profits tend to have
disconnects with the real world ...so treat them just as you would any other
business even though you're not getting paid ...get it in writing ...spec the
job as well as remedies for any changes along the way ...else you'll never
FINISH that gratis work and build the type of relationship you need to turn them
into a referral system for you.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>...just my experience ...others certainly have
succeeded doing just the opposite ...just remember to have a bit of fun along
the way ...otherwise you might as well be drawing that steady paycheck and
bennies :)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>William Hindman<BR>"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper
is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, The Swiss hold the America's
Cup, France is accusing the US of arrogance, and Germany doesn't want to go to
war."</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=scott.marcus@ae.ge.com href="mailto:scott.marcus@ae.ge.com">Marcus,
Scott (GEAE, RHI Consulting)</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=accessd@databaseadvisors.com
href="mailto:'accessd@databaseadvisors.com'">'accessd@databaseadvisors.com'</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 27, 2003 1:14
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [AccessD] OT:Building your
business was... Rate for first time</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=772590918-27032003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Virginia brings up an interestig subject which I would like to expand
on. I've been an independent for many years and have been lucky(maybe not so
lucky) enough to have full-time contract's. My current project is comming
to an end and I'm without work. How do all you independents go about building
your business? I know I'm late in doing this, but up until now I've worked for
a client that doesn't want me for less than 40 hours.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=772590918-27032003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=772590918-27032003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Scott Marcus</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Charlotte Foust
[mailto:cfoust@infostatsystems.com]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 27, 2003
12:46 PM<BR><B>To:</B> accessd@databaseadvisors.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE:
[AccessD] Rate for first time<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491464017-27032003><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#0000ff
size=2>That is far too low. That's what they might pay a student
intern. For an experienced developer, rates range from $50 (low) to as
high as $250 (high IMHO). My rate varies between $75 if I want to do
the work and $150 if I'm not overly eager. <vbg> For a first
time, somewhere between $35 and $45 sounds about right to me, depending on
your qualifications.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491464017-27032003><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491464017-27032003><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#0000ff
size=2>A consultant tends to be called in intermittently over an
indeterminate period, while an independent contractor is actually working
under a contract with rates, any benefits and term of contract spelled out
and agreed to.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491464017-27032003><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=491464017-27032003><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#0000ff
size=2>Charlotte Foust</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
Hollis,Virginia [mailto:HollisVJ@pgdp.usec.com] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday,
March 27, 2003 9:16 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
'accessd@databaseadvisors.com'<BR><B>Subject:</B> [AccessD] Rate for first
time<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=340270917-27032003>I know this
has been asked a zillion times....</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=340270917-27032003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=340270917-27032003>What is a fair
hourly rate for developers? I have been asked to do my first outside
developing for a company. Since this is my first time, is 10.00 hour too
low?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=340270917-27032003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=340270917-27032003>They are
wanting it set up as a consultant, is that different than an independent
contractor? I am not sure what the difference would be tax wise? Any
suggestions?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=340270917-27032003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=340270917-27032003>Virginia</SPAN></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
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