Comments on: 5 tips for being a successful Rails consultant or freelancer

By: Mike Lopke

Mike Lopke — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:25:51 +0000

Here’s another interesting perspective I found on this topic.

http://www.railsenvy.com/2007/7/10/ruby-on-rails-project-walkthrough

By: Clinton Begin

Clinton Begin — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:37:46 +0000

#5 should be: “ABC: Always Be Closing” :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI

By: Joon You

Joon You — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 21:32:11 +0000

One thing I will never ever do is be flexible on payment. You’ll always get screwed and even when you get paid, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Never neglect accounts receivables. The same goes for accounts payable.

By: Mike Lopke

Mike Lopke — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 02:11:38 +0000

Thanks Ben. I really appreciate the detail and the perspective.

One thing in particular I was wondering about is if folks typically have the client sign on for some sort of service contract for care and feeding of the app or for potential revisions / upgrades.

By: ben wiseley

ben wiseley — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 22:31:14 +0000

I’ve found that being flexible on pay (i.e. I didn’t get paid for 3 months this summer, but it was a nice check when I got it) and finding very early stage startups gives you some job security (if the startup is somewhat competent) and lessons the very annoying “looked for a non-crack pot client”. By being “whatever” about salary questions I’ve got numerous, potentially long term, flex time, work from where-ever gigs lined up. While I’m not making what you are but it’s a lot easier and a lot less stressful than always playing the big game hunt. :) Basically risk-for-lifestyle. I can’t do office 9-5, my brain doesn’t work that way. I can’t live in one state – my wife doesn’t work that way :) So, I’ll be super flexible on payment schedules and somewhat on price to make up for that and be as free as one can in the “professional” world.

But – you are the best consultant I’ve met… you’re doing virtually everything right.