Going solo
Out of context: Reply #21
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- Nairn0
As the others have said - save cash for rainy seasons and never stop selling yourself.
If you can, try and corral a competant yet out of work sales/marketing friend to do a couple of weeks promotion / cold calling for you - all you need is a handful of clients to start you off and develop a rep in your area.
If you're starting from home, set up a distinct working space so that you can have at least some seperation between free/work time.
Once you're comfortably busy, contact your local development agency - they can help you with basic yet essential legal, accounting and business matters - they may even offer you a business guru for regular meetups, which might sound a bit OTT but can be highly valuable - either from little tips on expenses and taxes, or just having someone professional to speak to frankly.
Don't consider employing anyone 'til your balls are shattered and you're on the verge of a nervous breakdown - wages are the single biggest outgoing. Even then, consider short-term contracts.
Even though it's dull and tiresome, log EVERY expenditure/incoming on a spreadsheet (wer). Just get in to the habit and do it - you'll be grateful at year's end.
Go overboard on customer relations (UK-style overboard - not US-style! :).
Don't stick to a 9 to 5, but do know when it's better to stop for a few hours.
Go to bed early and get a good night's sleep.