[Sethro117]

I've started my business and almost 2 months in now. Already I have contracts with companies and even residential users thats putting me above what I'm making at my w-2. I'm really considering leaving my w-2 but dont want to get somewhere and lose a contract and then be without a dependable job. How do you guys continue to find more and more contracts or dependable jobs to ensure you always have that dependable line of income.

[Sergio Tapia]

+1 because I'm on the same boat.

[Nakor]

I think it's awesome that you're out there running your own business. I would like to get started doing development work for myself instead of someone else but I can't seem to convince myself that my skills are good enough yet. Which unfortunately means I don't have any advice for you on this, but I'd like to see what others have to say on it.

[Sethro117]

I put this in freelancing but perhaps it'd be better in Corner Cubicle?

[no2pencil]

A piece of advice that was given to me, & I'll pass it on to you. One of the largest killers of a small business is a large contract. If the small business is lucky to land a wealthy contract it's great. But if that same business plans it's future around that contract, & becomes dependent upon that contract to survive, the business will quickly fold if that contract is closed.

Though this may not help answer your question of how to get them, hopefully it helps your "to w-2 or to not w-2" question. Bank on multiple sources of income.

As for how to get contracts, network. Join your local Chamber of Commerce. Then join the Chamber of Commerce for nearby cities. Shake hands, get face to face time with the who's who. Eventually it will land on your lap after shaking enough hands. It just takes some 'stick-to-it-ness'.

Also, since your business is booming quickly, call your tax preparer. Ask them about estimated tax. Don't let it bite you in the ass next April

[Sethro117]

Thanks n02, for now I do plan on staying with w2 for awhile longer. As for taxes, right now I have my business income go into it's own account and I'll take *maybe* $250 a month from it. That way I can pay out any taxes and still have a large sum after it's all said and done. I'm comfortable with my w2 earnings and agree I cant depend on my large contracts forever, just wanting to look at taking on more and perhaps briging on a couple people on part time.

[Sergio Tapia]

OK, just got a random call out of the blue asking me to work on a freelance contract. It was a contact I had months ago that never really came to anything. Suddenly he says he received a budget and wants to hire me to create some reports based on some of their database information.

So my advice is plant a lot of seeds and eventually some will blossom. When they do blossom do a kickass job so they call you back and they have you at the tip of the tongue. If they ask for 5, you give 6. If they want blue, you give them Royal Blue. Get it? Above and beyond.

[longbar]

Ditto all of no2pencil's advice, especially about large contracts. Large contracts can be great -- but only if you use them as leverage to grow so that you still have a diverse set of clients. And if you ignore this advice and work with just one big client, then at least set money aside every single month so you have a cushion to land on when the big contract goes away!

One of the keys to success is hustle. Get involved in the local tech community AND the local business community, check out MeetUps, get your name in with other freelancers and small businesses in your area that might need to bring you on board to help out with a project. Find people that are good business connectors and give them a stack of your cards and a promise of a commission (10% or whatever) for any work they bring in. Allot time every week for marketing, networking, improving your own website and marketing tools, etc. Invest in yourself.

And of course, make sure you do good work, stay on time and within budget, and communicate well with your clients. Cultivate the client base you have. Referrals can be a huge source of income.

Good luck, and let us know how things go!