[tedshroyer]

I had that same issue come up for me and I think the approach I've taken isn't terrible. I updated my resume and for years I was contracting, I wrote a seven word synopsis for each project I did during that time putting it all under a big heading of "Contracting". I sent my updated resume to some recruiters and they've gotten me several interviews. On the interviews, I've gone into great detail on the relevant projects and mentioned the companies I worked for.

I haven't gotten a job from that part yet but at the same time that I was dealing with recruiters, I called all my best clients and told them what was going on with me to let them know I wasn't going to be available for future work. During that call, I asked them to keep there ears open for anyone who needed me full time. I ended up getting a job from one of my clients with the understanding that I would be looking for a full time position. I had to give him a really low rate though but the dependable income is really nice, especially considering how many times I haven't gotten paid on jobs.

[keeptrying]

Ted you say that you didn't get paid on some jobs? What advice would you give someone who is thinking of starting to freelance with respect to getting paid? Any insights from having gone through the process yourself? Thanx

[tedshroyer]

Two things that I found which make it easier to get paid are working on site at an hourly wage and sending your bills out weekly. Everybody gets to see how hard you are working this way and there isn't any question about value. Also, there is the added benefit of you gaining a deeper understanding of your clients business instead of seeing only a small part of it.

Sending your bills out more often will stop clients from getting sticker shock. Remote jobs I've done where I sent one bill at the end of three or four weeks when the work was done were the hardest for me to get paid on, even from people that I had success at getting paid by previously.

[keeptrying]

Cool thankx for that. A few more questions: 1. In the case you didnt get paid, what did you do? Did you send them a lawyer? 2. How did you get your first gig ? Thanx

[tedshroyer]

I've gotten all my jobs by word of mouth. The first person that didn't pay me, I found out that he has a long list of people that he hasn't paid so I let it go after several months. Since then, I've always limited how much I would do for someone until there was a long term business relationship.

[keeptrying]

Cool thanx.

[gte910h]

You are doing it wrong if you don't get paid at least 3x for every contract.

Before starting, after a significant milestone, and before handing over final code.