Freelancers do you get put off when you...

[bigcometobedeyes]

Do you get put off when you see well established firms/individuals and think whats the point - they seem like they doing it so well.

I have days like this (new to being self employed and not currently relying on it for income)

What do you tell yourself?

Do you have a philosophy(sp?) you would like to share please?

Yep wev'e all thought that one, look at your own key selling points (not sure what your bis is but applies to most things) if youre small a lot of people still like the personal touch, I know I do I hate those bloody voice mail phone things and usually hang up. if youre big you can do the lots of staff for immediate attention kind of thing, the fact that you are setting up proves that you are a grafter and not afraid to take a chance, you are the business unlike a lot of big co's whose staff do what thier paid for. being s/emp means you work 24/7, have no social life, can't remember who you are half the time, and will go out to get business and keep it - it's hard work but you'll love it. Good Luck

Aw thanks atwork - I am finding I am utterly useless on a morning. I have just got over being ill with food poisoning and trying to pick things back up - thank goodness I dont have loads of customers yet!

Anyway I have manged to visit wholesaler with DS(3yrs) in tow (thomas and salty engines aswell!) and registered a ebay shop which I said I wouldnt do but a few people said so I am giving it a go. Blardy postage items/costs arrrggghhh

Thanks atwork - you are right I am planning a very attention to detail gift service to my local area (but we'll see how ebay goes too) I need to focus, must focus.

I am finding that in the current economic situation, it is the well established companies that are struggling.

During the better times, they have amassed overheads for premises, admin support, IT repair contracts etc. and may have put in place strategies and policies (e.g. no cold calling) which are not working for them now.

By contrast, newer set-ups still have that utter flexibility and willingness to seek out every opportunity. They are also usually still running on a shoestring budget, and have not become accustomed to high income levels.

Good luck. Just be very, very good at what you do. Underpromise, and over- deliver.

Freelancers are cheaper, more flexible, less bound up in bureaucracy and often harder working (because they've got more to prove). The recession is a great time to be a freelancer!

Thanks all- I m feeling much brighter today having powered through housework I feel organised in that sense I will be focussing on my gifts this PM

Notso and Bram you both make valid points indeed I must remeber this - in fact the wholesalers that I visited for the first time and whizzed round in 30 mins just to see what they had, had many shelves empty but yeah a huge premises to pay for!