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Original poster

Anyone else making it up as the go along and waiting to get found out?

28 replies

bogeyface · 14/07/2012 01:30

I have ended up with this business more by accident than any real planning on my part. Turns out that I am actually quite good at what I am doing, and have a bit of a talent for websites too according to another MNer, although she may be been just being kind :o

The thing is, it is getting serious now. Uber serious. I have a huge meeting in 10 days with a VIP in a local company that would mean big things for me and my main client, and I am terrified that I will bollocks it all up. I am good at meeting people, selling ideas and concepts, presentations etc, but I have never done anything like this in this field before and if I get it wrong then I will close down this avenue for good.

I am not sleeping through worry about it, which is not like me.

I am just waiting for the day when someone says "Hang on, you dont actually know what you are doing do you?" and I will be honour bound to say "Ermmm, no." It started out as a favour to help a friend and suddenly turned into a fully fledged business overnight and I am not sure I am keeping up!

Anyone else feel like they are in WAAAAAAY above their head?

OP posts:
Original poster
bogeyface · 14/07/2012 01:32

or even "over their head".

See? I cant even type straight!

OP posts:
jubilucket · 14/07/2012 01:36

The flippant version... have more wine.

The grown-up version? You've got something they want. They're already onboard - they want you and your skills just the way you are, and will understand if you tell them there are some bits you're not so hot on.

Now have some more wine anyway!

fedup2012 · 14/07/2012 01:39

I thought this was a thread about tax, in which case I would agree with the thread title. I'm the opposite, scared to overplay things and end up with very little success in anything.

I'm envious of someone who can follow their heart like you are doing. What's the worst that can happen? If it doesn't feel right for the client it doesn't mean you will never get any more business. I suggest you trust your instinct and if there's a problem be honest about it and tell them you will draft someone else in for that part of the job if necessary. (at extra cost).

Good luck!

jubilucket · 14/07/2012 01:48

Actually I thought it was about tax too,

Original poster
bogeyface · 14/07/2012 01:57

How did you guess I was on the wine Wink :o

Thank you both for your kind posts, they have really helped. You are right I suppose in that if they werent interested then they wouldnt want to see me. And Fedup I do tend to overplay my hand and then think "oh shit, what do I do now?" when someone takes me at my word!

Will take more wine and hopefully sleep tonight! And be thankful that I am not at the tax bit yet, as I havent actually managed to make any money although this meeting could lead to big ££££. but then the business has only been going for 8 weeks, see what I mean about it all running away with me.......

OP posts:
jubilucket · 14/07/2012 09:23

How's the head this morning?

Tee2072 · 14/07/2012 09:41

You calling me a liar? Wink

TerminalAtrocity · 14/07/2012 09:55

Ive always felt in over my head at the start of a new job/client/career etc, waiting to e found out etc. it hasn't happened yet so I put it down to nerves and a touch of perfectionism - being afraid to make a mistake.

8 weeks is pretty fast, you probably just need time to get used to the idea and settle into your new role.

It sounds pretty exciting though. Can you tell us what business you're in .

I'm about to launch 2 businesses based on my interests. I have big dreams for both of them but I'm not trained in either (I work in finance). So I get what you mean. I just know when I tell my friends and family they will be surprised.

I plan to do a lot of reading Grin

watersign76 · 14/07/2012 13:57

What a great start Bogey! I wouldn't worry about how/why you started. Many people start for a variety of reasons, not all have a textbook business plan etc.

After 1.5 years I feel slightly more confident but still have those concerns and worries. Am guessing it takes a few years to get used to the lack of the support/feedback system about your work that an employed job comes with...

Re the BIG meeting. All you can do is prepare as much as you can. Do your research, prepare for the difficult questions and try to ask them to outline their need/challenges first so you can talior your responses.

I'd agree with other posters, they must already think it is likely you can help them to agree/ask for a meeting.

Good luck!

Original poster
bogeyface · 14/07/2012 14:33

THanks guys :)

I didnt sleep much last night, so today have put work back into its box and am concentrating on the house, which is a pigsty!

Thats part of my problem I think, I struggle to switch off (hence last nights vino :o) when I am in the zone and it takes over more and more of my brain. All I have done day and night for the last month is focus on work, and everything else has suffered, so I am giving myself the weekend off, which seems ridiculously decadent! It is a great start and I am very pleased, but it all seems a bit too good to be true! I will prepare for the meeting, and just do my best!

Thanks again :)

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PissyDust · 14/07/2012 14:47

Good luck Bogey, don't over think it. It sounds like you are on your way to something great and you should be proud that you have managed to get yourself out there!

TalkinPeace2 · 14/07/2012 20:38

EVERY person who is not physically making things is bluffing that they know more than the person paying to hear what they have to say.
Both in companies and governments and freelancers.
We free range people have less of a safety net
but we are better at leaping sideways.
If in doubt, let them talk and take credit for suggesting to them what they were thinking anyway - that is what really makes them feel good.

blueshoes · 14/07/2012 20:47

Bogeyface, you will absolutely not be found out. We use highly paid consultants all of whom spouted bollocks for all I know but made it sound convincing and used impressive jargon for which we opened our wallets dutifully.

If you say you are good at meeting people and selling ideas and concepts, you are IN!

AlpinePony · 16/07/2012 08:37

Be kind to yourself - this VIP thinks you're the VIP!

SleepBeckons · 19/07/2012 13:33

I'm freelance, and sympathise with the nerves before a big pitch.

I handle mine with thorough preparation. If I need to do a presentation, I practise my patter out loud when no one is listening - whilst walking the dog in a field, or say parked at the supermarket. I do it maybe 20 times, so i really know what I'm going to say, which helps me get the glow snd rhythm right I get a big sheet of paper and brain dump all the questions I think may get asked, and I prepare answers, saying them out loud.

I also get my outfit ready and it on a hangar the night before so there will be no delays in the morning. This really helps me control the panicky sick feeling on the day, as I also have my bag ready, with all papers including directions, contact numbers etc etc.

Finally, I try to turn the feeling of panic into one of excitement that I'm actually getting into company X!! This helps the nerves convert into energy and enthusiasm.

Hope this helps - wish you the very best of luck for your meeting -)

sharklet · 19/07/2012 14:28

I know just what you mean, this was a lot how I started out (different business). it is really intimidating whe you go for meeting with big potentialc clients and you feel like a bit of an upstart. Hold your head up high and the chance are you'll do a great job.

I sort of tripped into my freelance job 20 odd years ago, and have over time gone from wondering what on earth I am doing to working for huge clients and getting flown all over the world for amazing assignments. These days I don't feel like a fraud anymore, I just feel lucky to have found a way to make my talent into a bone fide career!

farfallarocks · 19/07/2012 14:31

Most people have imposter syndrome whether self employed or not. I am an equity partner in a very successful professional services firm and I still think I am going to get 'found out', its very normal, I think most people do!
I bet you are really good at what you do, believe in yourself!

Original poster
bogeyface · 19/07/2012 19:38

Thanks :)

I emailed him on Monday, as agreed when I arranged the meeting, with an outline of the proposal. I have been on tenterhooks since, but as he hasnt cancelled I assume that he is still interested, so I count that as a win!

Will spend the weekend doing prep, have taken on board alot of the tips and will update next week.

Thanks again :)

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bacon · 21/07/2012 11:41

"and have a bit of a talent for websites too according to another MNer" not sure if this is a true reflection of talent and I would be very cautions of making out you offer a full website service if you are have no experience or training in IT. I wouldnt be happy if I signed up a website designer who was "winging it". OMG you could ruin a business.

You could be on very dodgy ground here and there is more to designing a website than setting it up.

Sorry to say, your going to get found out eventually as assuming you have no formal qualifications in design/IT a professional company is going to find flaws and you could mess up a companies PR.

I meet everyday people who say they can set up a website, do IT etc but have you seen some of the stuff they have come up with?

Yes, we all 'wing it' to a point but only in a sector of the industry we have knowledge, experience and quals in. I would tread carefully on what you can promice.

AlpinePony · 25/07/2012 05:45

This landed in my inbox today and I thought you might be interested: blog.brazencareerist.com/2012/07/20/feel-like-youre-faking-it-that-might-not-be-a-bad-thing/?utm_source=Lifehacker+Newsletter&utm_campaign=54f54cc9dd-UA-142218-1&utm_medium=email

I kind of see Bacon's point, but the other side of that is that I'm a software engineer by trade, but graphic design is not in my "tool set". I can write code but I'm pretty fucking clueless when it comes to "make it purdy".

Original poster
bogeyface · 25/07/2012 09:51

I am not selling web design as a service not even anything vaugely related, but have put together a couple of sites for my own business use that I have had appraised. Its not something I would even consider selling.

Thanks for that link, looks very interesting and I will read it properly tonight. Have to go and get ready for my big meeting now......gulp!

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Original poster
bogeyface · 25/07/2012 15:50

Update if anyone is interested. The meeting went really well!

They want to move forward in partnership with me and one of my clients, and they have lined us up for a high profile event next summer, which should be fantastic exposure for both my client and my business. This year they have green lighted a couple of events I am putting together, so its all good!

Am thrilled to bits :)

Oh and I had a quick chat with the manager of a local café/bistro type place and it turns out they have the most AMAZING function room hidden away, which I will be using for my next event in a month as the original venue went bankrupt recently and I was in a bit of a state about where to hold it. I am also happy to support this venue as it turns out it is part of a drug and alcohol misuse rehabilitation centre, which I had no idea about until today.

All good, and I am now having a sneaky glass of wine and soda to celebrate :o

OP posts:
Original poster
bogeyface · 25/07/2012 15:51

And the irony of my last sentence is not lost on me......

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TalkinPeace2 · 25/07/2012 17:58

So getting found out has just moved a few years further away into the future.
WELL DONE.