Comments on: What are we?

By: Sylvhania

Sylvhania — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:55:35 +0000

How about nano- or micro-business? I’m a company of one, but I wear many hats. There’s me the W-2 employee of my LLC, me the president of same LLC, me the member (who receives regular distributions) of same LLC, then there’s me the president of another LLC, who contracts for services with first LLC for “tax reasons”. I work from home and take aggressive tax deductions, including home office/corporate on-site gym deductions and member reimbursements (for home office expenses, mileage, “home security”). Almost all expenses (business and personal) are paid with pre-tax dollars. I consider myself an employee, but an employee who has a lot more freedom (and corporate infrastructure/bookkeeping) than your typical cubicle-dweller. No worries about benefits, salary, performance reviews, relocation, downsizing. The only worry is keeping the project pipeline full (which has proven difficult in light of the current economy). And I have no desire for office space (why would I want to commute further than across the hall or loose my home office deductions?) or employees (a spouse and dogs are enough responsibility). As long as there are agencies and clients who agree to work with me on a corp-to-corp remote basis, I think I have the ideal setup. For me, the issue isn’t what to call myself, but how to find/keep clients who are interested and willing to work with my not-yet-the-norm free agent corp-to-corp remote not-quite-a-freelancer company-of-one arrangement. To recruiters, I’m a person. To most clients, I’m a freelancer. But I think my business would do better if I advertised myself as a company.

By: Ricky Onsman

Ricky Onsman — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:52:58 +0000

I agree with Matt, and would toss Bam into that mix as well.

In all cases, though, I’m happy to pay a great deal of attention to the past experiences of Scott, Derek and Miles as freelancers to inform my own development.

And now to actually read Miles’ book …

By: Matt Robin

Matt Robin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:37:37 +0000

I regard ‘Further Ahead’ as a company.

Scott: Same with Wishingline.

Where there is ‘…insurance, benefits, office space,’ these are more than standard freelancing IMO (especially the benefits part).

Does it really matter? Well, probably not ;)

By: Gary Barber

Gary Barber — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:44:59 +0000

Walking in late…

@Miles there is a popup version, I have been ripped off! :(

@Derek Personally I promote “me” as a brand and my business, of late its more about me than the business. As I’m more of a Freelancer with a support crew. But I’m very aware of how and what I market brand I’m building or supporting at what time.

You problem is really the perception that others have of what you are. You are really it seems trying to remold the branding perception from Derek Featherstone Freelancer to Furtherahead. Where Derek Featherstone is not really that much of an important part of the equation. He is just a CEO, working for his staff (as miles said).

It’s just a marketing branding issue. Problem is you have worked hard to build the Featherstone brand that you are now having to flip it all and focus on Furtherahead. Mind you this is all relative to the community segment your are looking at. To the web communities you are “Derek Featherstone” to your client and potential client base you are (or need to be) that guy from “Furtherahead”

Business is a strange thing moving from Freelance to Business your goal becomes to make yourself redundant.

By: Russ Weakley

Russ Weakley — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:11:23 +0000

Yes, nothing like “Mile’s pop-up book of freelancing”. Highly recommend it!

By: Miles Burke

Miles Burke — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:37:19 +0000

I have to admit, Russ read the pop-up picture book version, in stores soon. :)

By: feather

feather — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:56:35 +0000

How do you know they are letters?

By: Russ Weakley

Russ Weakley — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:53:32 +0000

What do all these letters mean! I’m confused…

By: feather

feather — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:20:28 +0000

@Russ: a con? you mean like the one about you reviewing the book? That would imply you actually read it, and we know that isn’t true, because you can’t read. In fact, I should call you to tell you this as you won’t be able to read it.

By: Russ Weakley

Russ Weakley — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:00:59 +0000

You’re not a freelancer? Then what are you in the book for! It was all a con! ;)