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Starting and Growing Your Career as a Freelancer/Consultant

Donn Felker
September 27, 2014

Starting and Growing Your Career as a Freelancer/Consultant

You’ve worked with consultants and you have friends that consult or freelance on a full time basis. The thought of “going out on your own” looks very intriguing, so much so that you you continually think about it. The pay looks great and the freedom looks better but the only thing is … you don’t know how to start and it seems risky.

There are many unanswered questions to the likes of: “How much do I bill? Where do I find clients? How do I keep clients? Do I need a contract? Do I need a lawyer? OMG, I don’t want to die, WHAT ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE?” (and many many more). In this session I’ll show you how I’ve calmed my fears, answered all those same questions as well as kept my client pipeline full of interesting and intriguing work for the last six years (yes, even through the recession).

I’ll discuss how you can stay on top of your industry as a leader to ensure you’re never in a famine scenario, but I’ll also discuss how to plan for a consulting famine as well. I’ll also talk about working on site vs working remote. We’ll wrap up with tips and tricks to stay effective in a remote work environment while consulting. Please bring your questions, this is a very interactive presentation and discussion. When you leave I hope this presentation will have provided you with the confidence needed to take the next step to achieving your dreams.

Donn Felker

September 27, 2014
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  1. STARTING AND GROWING
    YOUR CAREER
    AS A FREELANCER/CONSULTANT
    #phxmobi

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  2. DONN FELKER
    @DONNFELKER - DONNFELKER.COM
    FREELANCING AND CONSULTING: 15YRS
    #phxmobi

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  3. #phxmobi

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  4. AGENDA
    - HOW TO GET STARTED
    - SURVING AND THRIVING
    - HANDING YOUR BACKOFFICE
    - WORKING REMOTELY SUCCESSFULLY*
    * - IF WE HAVE TIME.
    #phxmobi

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  5. SO YOU WANT
    TO FREELANCE
    OR CONSULT
    #phxmobi

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  6. #phxmobi

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  7. BUT WHY?
    #phxmobi

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  8. LOTSA
    MOOOLA!
    #phxmobi

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  9. FREEDOM!
    #phxmobi

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  10. LEARN NEW
    THINGS!
    #phxmobi

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  11. ALL OF WHICH ARE
    POSSIBLE, BUT ...
    #phxmobi

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  12. SO IS FAMINE
    #phxmobi

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  13. CONSULTING -
    FEAST OR
    FAMINE
    #phxmobi

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  14. IN A FAMINE SITUATION, YOUR FULL
    TIME JOBS IS ...
    FINDING NEW WORK
    #phxmobi

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  15. #phxmobi

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  16. CONSULTING AND FREELANCING:
    A CALCULATED RISK
    #phxmobi

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  17. HEALTH
    INSURANCE
    Lets get this out of the way
    #phxmobi

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  18. YES ITS QUITE A BIT
    MORE EXPENSIVE
    BUT YOU SHOULD BE MAKING A LOT MORE TOO, SO IT EVENS OUT
    #phxmobi

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  19. OPTIONS
    HEALTHCARE.GOV
    HEALTH INSURANCE BROKER
    HOP ON SPOUSES PLAN
    #phxmobi

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  20. THE SMALL GROUP
    HIRE YOUR PARTNER, SISTER, BROTHER, COUSIN, AUNT, ETC
    SMALL GROUPS, USUALLY 2-50 EMPLOYEES, GET CHEAPER BENEFITS BECAUSE OF A
    'GROUP' PLAN. YOU AND ANOTHER PERSON WOULD HAVE TO BE ON THE SAME PLAN.
    TALK TO THE BROKER ABOUT THIS.
    #phxmobi

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  21. THE BROKER
    CAN HELP FIND THE BEST RATES FOR YOUR GIVEN REQUIREMENTS.
    CAN ALSO HELP FIND DENTAL, VISION, LIFE, SHORT AND LONG TERM DISABILITY.
    THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, NOT YOU.
    #phxmobi

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  22. HEALTH INSURANCE
    EVALUATE AND EXECUTE
    THEN MOVE ON
    KEEP YOUR BROKERS NUMBER HANDY IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
    #phxmobi

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  23. BACK TO CONSULTING
    AND FREELANCING
    #phxmobi

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  24. SO, HOW DO I
    START?
    #phxmobi

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  25. YOU NEED
    CLIENTS
    #phxmobi

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  26. O Clients, Where Art
    Thou?
    #phxmobi

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  27. PIPELINE IS
    STOCKED?
    #phxmobi

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  28. RIGHT ON!
    #phxmobi

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  29. STARTING
    FROM A
    CLEAN SLATE?
    #phxmobi

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  30. WHERE TO FIND CLIENTS
    ODesk
    Recruiters
    StackOverflow Careers / Jobsites
    Craigslist
    Friends/Family
    #phxmobi

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  31. LANDED A
    CLIENT
    #phxmobi

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  32. How Much Are you
    Per Hour?
    #phxmobi

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  33. If I make about 90K a year,
    thats almost $44 an hour ...
    so... if I charge
    $50 or $55 I should be good.
    — Every Programmer Ever
    #phxmobi

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  34. NOPE
    #phxmobi

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  35. WHEN IN DOUBT, START
    FROM $75/HR AND
    MOVE UP.
    I PERSONALLY RECOMMEND STARTING AT $90 AS A MINIMUM BUT SOME ARE AFRAID OF
    LOSING CLIENTS.
    #phxmobi

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  36. PROBLEMS WITH UNDER
    VALUING YOUR WORTH
    #phxmobi

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  37. RESENTMENT & REGRET (RE: HIGHER PAYING CLIENTS)
    UNFORESEEN OVERHEAD COSTS, OOPS
    LOWER PAYING CLIENTS CAN BE A LOT OF TROUBLE
    #phxmobi

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  38. TIPS
    DONT EVER GIVE A NUMBER. GIVE A RANGE.
    E.G. - $90-$120 DEPENDING ON ROLE
    ALWAYS BE OK WITH THAT LOW NUMBER
    THIS IS WHAT WORKS BEST FOR ME.
    #phxmobi

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  39. EXAMPLE SCRIPT IF YOU'RE NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY
    REPEAT THIS AS IF YOU WERE SPEAKING TO A POTENTIAL CLIENT
    I charge anywhere from $90-$120 an hour, depending on
    the role. If you need basic staff augmentation, then its
    90$, if I'm leading a team, training your team, or
    architecting/etc its $120/hr.
    BE HAPPY WITH THE LOW NUMBER AS THEY'LL TRY TO GET YOU THERE.
    #phxmobi

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  40. GETTING PAID
    NET30 IS STANDARD
    FROM THE POINT THE CLIENT GETS YOUR INVOICE THEY HAVE 30 DAYS TO PAY IT.
    #phxmobi

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  41. YOU WORK 9/1 - 9/30
    INVOICE SENT OCT 1ST
    PAYMENT IS DUE ON OCT 30TH
    #phxmobi

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  42. IF YOU BILL MONTHLY,
    YOU WILL NOT GET PAID
    FOR POSSIBLY 60 DAYS
    #phxmobi

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  43. HAVE A NEST EGG
    HAVE OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME
    #phxmobi

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  44. SURVIVING
    AND THRIVING
    #phxmobi

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  45. HOW DO YOU SURVIVE?
    Lets Talk About it
    #phxmobi

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  46. REQUIREMENTS TO SURVIVE:
    GET AN ACCOUNTANT
    GET A LAWYER
    MORE ON THIS LATER
    #phxmobi

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  47. TWO THINGS
    1. SURVIVE AND THRIVE
    2. MANAGE YOUR BACK OFFICE
    #phxmobi

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  48. SURVIVING
    AND THRIVING
    #phxmobi

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  49. MARKETING IS KING
    #phxmobi

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  50. IF NO ONE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE ...
    HOW CAN YOU LAND A GIG?
    #phxmobi

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  51. BUT I SUCK AT MARKETING, HOW
    DO I DO IT?
    #phxmobi

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  52. METHODS OF SELF MARKETING
    BLOGGING
    SCREENCASTING
    PRESENTING
    GETTING PUBLISHED
    Always Do Great work
    #phxmobi

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  53. MINIMUM OF TWO OF THESE AND
    YOU'LL THRIVE AND SURVIVE
    #phxmobi

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  54. Always Do
    Great Work
    #phxmobi

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  55. BLOGGING
    YOUR OWN DOMAIN
    USE WORDPRESS
    JUST WRITE!
    DONNFELKER.COM/BLUEHOST
    #phxmobi

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  56. BLOGGING
    AIM FOR ONCE A WEEK
    TWICE A MONTH IF YOU CANT SWING ONCE A WEEK
    PUBLISH TO NEWS AGGREGATORS
    #phxmobi

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  57. BLOGGING
    EMAIL CAPTURE
    MAILCHIMP
    Rss To Email Campaign
    #phxmobi

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  58. THE RESULT OF BLOGGING
    Indsutry Notoriety
    Speaking Engagements
    More Gigs
    #phxmobi

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  59. REMEMBER!
    ITS ALL ABOUT MARKETING
    #phxmobi

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  60. SCREENCASTING
    Tools
    CAMTASIA
    SCREENFLOW
    CAMSTUDIO
    #phxmobi

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  61. SCREENCASTING
    #phxmobi

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  62. SCREENCASTING
    #phxmobi

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  63. PLACES TO PUBLISH SCREENCASTS
    YOUTUBE
    INDUSTRY VIDEO SITES
    TUTORIAL SITES
    #phxmobi

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  64. THE RESULT OF SCREENCASTING
    Indsutry Notoriety
    Speaking Engagements
    More Gigs
    #phxmobi

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  65. PRESENTING
    PUBLIC SPEAKING ISNT THAT BAD
    #phxmobi

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  66. What should I talk
    about?
    #phxmobi

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  67. When you're speaking front of a
    crowd, you're an expert to
    someone.
    — Someone Smart
    #phxmobi

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  68. You know something a lot of people don't. Look at your
    experiences and go from there.
    #phxmobi

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  69. PRESENTING
    WHERE TO GET STARTED
    CODE CAMPS
    USER GROUPS
    MEET UPS
    #phxmobi

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  70. Level Up by Speaking at
    LOCAL CONFERENCES
    REGIONAL EVENTS
    NATIONAL CONFERENCES
    INTL CONFERENCES
    #phxmobi

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  71. PRESENTING TIPS
    Practice Makes Perfect
    AIM FOR AT LEAST 4 A YEAR (ONE
    PER QUARTER)
    #phxmobi

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  72. THE RESULT OF PRESENTING
    Indsutry Notoriety
    Expert In Your Field
    More Speaking Engagements
    Publishing Opportunities
    More Gigs
    #phxmobi

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  73. GETTING
    PUBLISHED
    #phxmobi

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  74. THE FIRST PUBLISHED
    ARTICLE IS THE MOST
    DIFFICULT TO GET
    #phxmobi

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  75. WHY GET
    PUBLISHED?
    #phxmobi

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  76. PUBLISHING INCREASES CREDIBILITY
    WHICH IMPROVES OTHERS PERCEPTION OF YOU
    IN A POSITIVE SENSE
    #phxmobi

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  77. GETTING PUBLISHED
    ANCHORS YOU AS AN
    EXPERT.
    #phxmobi

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  78. WHERE TO GET STARTED
    WITH PUBLISHING?
    #phxmobi

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  79. Remember that Blog of yours?
    Sites like TutsPlus.com
    Small Industry Magazines
    Then go for book publishers (if you want to write a book)
    #phxmobi

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  80. IMPORTANT NOTE
    YOU PROBABLY WONT GET PAID FOR
    ANY OF THIS.
    Remember ... marketing ...
    marketing ... marketing
    #phxmobi

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  81. WHY DO ALL OF THESE THINGS?
    WHY DO I RECOMMEND IT?
    #phxmobi

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  82. IT MAKES YOU GROW.
    IT BUILDS YOUR NETWORK.
    IT TURNS YOU INTO
    AN INDSUTRY EXPERT.
    #phxmobi

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  83. CLIENTS LOVE TO HIRE
    EXPERTS.
    #phxmobi

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  84. CLIENTS LOVE TO KEEP
    EXPERTS.
    #phxmobi

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  85. BUILD YOUR NETWORK
    THROUGH MARKETING
    #phxmobi

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  86. WHO WOULD YOU
    RATHER HIRE?
    #phxmobi

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  87. THE INDUSTRY
    EXPERT
    #phxmobi

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  88. "THAT ONE
    GUY"
    #phxmobi

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  89. PROBABLY
    THE EXPERT
    #phxmobi

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  90. MARKETING IS KING
    #phxmobi

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  91. MARKETING EFFECTIVELY RESULTS
    IN EASILY ACQUIRING NEW CLIENTS,
    KEEPING EXISTING CLIENTS AND
    KEEPING YOUR PIPELINE FULL
    (STAYING AWAY FROM FAMINE).
    #phxmobi

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  92. MANAGING THE BACK OFFICE
    ACCOUNTING, PAYROLL & LEGAL
    #phxmobi

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  93. GET AN
    ACCOUNTANT
    #phxmobi

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  94. TOOLS I RECOMMEND
    QUICKBOOKS ONLINE
    FRESHBOOKS
    XERO
    ONLY CHOOSE CLOUD OPTIONS
    #phxmobi

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  95. DO BOOKKEEPING MONTHLY AT A
    MINIMUM
    #phxmobi

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  96. HATE BOOKKEEPING?
    !
    THEN OUTSOURCE IT
    #phxmobi

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  97. PUT
    YOURSELF ON
    PAYROLL
    ZENPAYROLL.COM
    #phxmobi

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  98. GIVE YOUR ACCOUNTANT A LOG IN
    TO YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNTING.
    YOU WANT TO STAY OUT OF THEIR
    OFFICE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
    #phxmobi

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  99. DO YOUR TAXES OR
    FACE THE WRATH OF
    THE IRS
    #phxmobi

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  100. GET A LAWYER
    GET ONE BEFORE YOU
    DECIDE TO AGREE AND
    SIGN ANYTHING.
    #phxmobi

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  101. THEY WILL ASK FOR A RETAINER
    USUALLY 1-2K
    Pay It.
    #phxmobi

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  102. "Why do I need a lawyer? I
    trust the guy I'm working
    with.""
    #phxmobi

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  103. THATS
    FUNNY.
    #phxmobi

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  104. Everything goes good, until it
    doesnt.
    — Unknown
    #phxmobi

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  105. LAWYERS ARE AN
    INSURANCE
    UNDERWRITER FOR
    YOUR REVENUE, CAREER
    AND FUTURE.
    #phxmobi

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  106. SO, YES .. YOU NEED A CONTRACT
    A CONTRACT IS THE INSURANCE POLICY FOR THAT CLIENT
    #phxmobi

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  107. A CONTRACT INCLUDES
    STATEMENT OF WORK
    COMPENSATION TERMS
    PAYMENT TERMS (NET15, NET30, ETC)
    LIABILITY CLAIMS AND MUCH MORE
    #phxmobi

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  108. WHEN THINGS GO BAD, YOUR
    CONTRACT IS THE SAFETY NET.
    #phxmobi

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  109. FIND A GOOD
    TECHNOLOGY LAWYER
    #phxmobi

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  110. There are two bills I enjoy paying every month. One is my
    accountant. The other is my lawyer. Because of these two
    I know I'm taken care of.
    — Mike Monteiro (paraphrased)
    FROM THE TALK "F*CK YOU, PAY ME" VIA CREATIVE MORNINGS
    #phxmobi

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  111. LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS KEEP
    EVERYTHING IN BALANCE SO YOU
    CAN DO YOUR WORK.
    #phxmobi

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  112. THANK YOU
    FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
    @DONNFELKER
    #phxmobi

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  113. PLANNING FOR THE FAMINE
    CONSERVATIVELY, PLAN FOR A
    FAMINE EVERY 6-9 MONTHS.
    #phxmobi

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  114. SAVE 3-6 MONTHS OF
    HOUSEHOLD COSTS
    #phxmobi

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  115. SHARPEN THE SAW
    KEEP YOUR SKILLS SHARP
    DON'T STAGNATE
    #phxmobi

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  116. REMOTE
    WORKING REMOTE ISN'T EASY
    #phxmobi

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  117. HOW TO WORK REMOTE
    BOOKS: REMOTE, ROWE, TEAM GEEK
    AND MANY MORE
    #phxmobi

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  118. BENEFITS OF WORKING REMOTE
    YOU PROBABLY GET MORE WORK DONE
    BETTER WORK/LIFE BALANCE (SOMETIMES)
    AVERAGE COMMUTE TIME IS 8 SECONDS
    #phxmobi

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  119. PITFALLS OF WORKING REMOTE
    DISCONNECTED FROM TEAM
    IT CAN GET QUITE LONELY
    CABIN FEVER IS REAL
    #phxmobi

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  120. GET OUT
    COFFEE SHOPS
    COWORKING LOCATIONS
    SHARED OFFICE SPACES
    #phxmobi

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  121. INTERACT WITH OTHERS
    USER GROUPS
    MEET UPS
    CONFERENCES
    #phxmobi

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  122. COMMUNICATION IS KEY
    HIP CHAT
    SLACK
    SQWIGGLE
    JIRA
    #phxmobi

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  123. #phxmobi

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