[BenoitP]

In your blog post, you write:

> I do data science freelancing. That is, I take contracts related to machine learning (predicting things, e.g. user growth of a company), data visualization (custom charts in D3.js), preparing and conducting trainings in data analysis [...]

Would you mind sharing a bit on your approach to contracting in this space?

Here are a few questions: Do you do blind calls? Do you use a freelancing site? Do you work remotely? What is the typical contract, how much do you bill? Does one have to do public talks to get recognised? How much do clients value your having a PhD? How do you animate the networking? Do clients find you, or do you find them? Why are they buying, FOMO on a marketing dataset, or just plain curiosity on the subject? If you had to specialise in one niche market, what would be, what would be your approach? Basically: what would be the steps you would take should you start only with the data science technical knowledge?

[stared]

It's a longer story, with summary is in "My story" from http://p.migdal.pl/2016/03/15/data-science-intro-for-math-ph.... Since it had some turbulent nature, it was hard for me to put it into a coherent narrative. And it may be even harder to put it in a way that is beneficial for others (involves my particular situation, skillset, network of contacts, personality).

If you mail me (my website's footer), I will send you a quick&dirty summary of my path & projects. In any case, some answers:

> Do you do blind calls?

Never! But if there is an opening for a full-time position sometimes I mailed them anyway, if they are interested in some specialised contracts; sometimes they were.

> Do you use a freelancing site?

No. I followed a mailing list with freelance projects in data viz. (By far the easiest place to start, as they can SEE my previous projects and current progress.)

> Do you work remotely?

Almost entirely. But for the last few weeks I am a bit more related to a particular company, and then I prefer to be on site (easier to talk etc).

> What is the typical contract, how much do you bill?

Since it varies a lot (and I want to increase it a bit), I am not comfortable to put in publicly. Expect for things I do it is also dependent on place in which I live, particular projects, negotiation skills, project uncertainty (data science is not webdev - each project has a research part).

> Does one have to do public talks to get recognised?

Yes. I mean, maybe it is not strictly necessary, but public talks (meetups, conferences, etc) and other public activity (blog posts, running communities) helped me a lot! (But I love it anyway.)

> How much do clients value your having a PhD?

A wonderful discussion starter, never a deal-maker.

> How do you animate the networking?

(Answered above.)

> Do clients find you, or do you find them?

In the last year (or more) it's only clients who contact me, and I accept (/follow up) or decline projects.

> Why are they buying, FOMO on a marketing dataset, or just plain curiosity on the subject?

?

> If you had to specialise in one niche market, what would be, what would be your approach?

If you were an animal, which... ;)

> Basically: what would be the steps you would take should you start only with the data science technical knowledge?

http://p.migdal.pl/2016/03/15/data-science-intro-for-math-ph...