http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/sidejobs Questions tagged with 'sidejobs' at Ask MetaFilter. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:35:24 -0800 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:35:24 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/100650/word%2Dof%2Doh%2Dlook%2Da%2Dshiney%2Dthing How does one develop a thriving side-consulting gig in IT? I have been doing consulting work for ~8 years privately and professionally. A couple of years ago I left the day-to-day business consulting <em>show</em> for a job as a glorified Network Administrator. <br> <br> I would like to pickup a few side clients, but am a bit clueless what I am doing wrong. I currently have three businesses that I know casually through friends, one paid, two have dangled the idea of having work done by me -- but it never goes anywhere.<br> <br> The paid jobs I do -- people seem EXTREMELY happy with the work I do (Specifically referencing the detail in documentation, the follow through, the promptness, the billing detail) -- but this never seems to translate into word of mouth "hey, our guy is great".<br> <br> I posted to CRAIGSLIST locally and have done a couple of $30/fix jobs for home people (grawr stab me in the face) hoping for that to possibly translate into larger jobs -- and a few businesses did email me, but did not respond to my detailed "sales pitch" (not so much a sales pitch as a short "this is what I have done, lets meet and see if it would be a great fit, first visit is on me". <br> <br> I do quite a bit of "oh sure, i'll take a look at it for you" free work on a one time basis with various groups. Is that potentially damaging chances of developing paid relationships? (Ie, the $150/h consultant is better than the dude who will take a look at it for free?) <br> <br> Any thoughts on how a full time netadmin with experience doing pretty much you name it can nudge himself into the market? Is there some key part of networking/work of mouthing that I am missing?<br> <br> (For what its worth, somewhat of a small town area, a few 10-15k people towns within 25 miles) lots of small businesses. A casual acquaintance who works full time in the area seems to have no problem picking up clients in a geographically similar, but sparser area. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2008:site.100650 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:35:24 -0800 consulting evening it sidejobs work SirStan