Comments on: Going Solo Venues, Open Stage, and Link Love http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/ Stephanie Booth's online ramblings Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:15:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Going Solo » Six Things to Make Blogging About Going Solo Leeds Easier http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15925 Going Solo » Six Things to Make Blogging About Going Solo Leeds Easier Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:26:31 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15925 <p>[...] I’m a blogger and a busy person, and so I know how easy it is to “want to do something” but not actually get around to doing it. Or how easy it is to think that what I can do won’t really make a difference. [...]</p> [...] I’m a blogger and a busy person, and so I know how easy it is to “want to do something” but not actually get around to doing it. Or how easy it is to think that what I can do won’t really make a difference. [...]

]]> By: Ali http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15930 Ali Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:02:32 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15930 <p>Stephanie, one more thought: I may be typical of a certain type of freelancer, in that I freelance primarily because I have kids, and I have a small number of loyal clients. I may have been doing this for five years, but someone who's working full-time, full-on might have outstripped me in terms of genuine experience by the time they were doing it for a year!</p> <p><br></p> <p>I see people like me as very typical of freelancers, but not very sexy as a group. I do think it's a stage thing, you go down a few gears for a year or two, and then you come back. Or indeed, reinvent yourself, all over again...</p> Stephanie, one more thought: I may be typical of a certain type of freelancer, in that I freelance primarily because I have kids, and I have a small number of loyal clients. I may have been doing this for five years, but someone who's working full-time, full-on might have outstripped me in terms of genuine experience by the time they were doing it for a year!


I see people like me as very typical of freelancers, but not very sexy as a group. I do think it's a stage thing, you go down a few gears for a year or two, and then you come back. Or indeed, reinvent yourself, all over again…

]]> By: Stephanie http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15929 Stephanie Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:43:57 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15929 <p>Thanks a lot, Ali, that was helpful. You know, nobody is typical, when you look closely. So it's useful for me to see some real personal needs/opinions expressed. It helps me understand my "audience" (ugh, don't like the word) better.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The people who I imagine will be interested in coming to Going Solo are freelancers (fresh and more seasoned), people who are not freelancers but might be thinking of taking the plunge, and very small business owners.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Though they are not the primary target, we might also see people interested in interacting with and understanding freelancers -- but these will certainly be more on the sponsor/partner side of things.</p> <p><br></p> <p>My aim is to be practical (as much as possible in a conference format), even though everything might not be new for you if you've been freelancing for the last five years.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Your interest in the characteristics of the Web industry as an industry to freelance in is a good point. I'd also been thinking about including something along those lines.</p> Thanks a lot, Ali, that was helpful. You know, nobody is typical, when you look closely. So it's useful for me to see some real personal needs/opinions expressed. It helps me understand my “audience” (ugh, don't like the word) better.


The people who I imagine will be interested in coming to Going Solo are freelancers (fresh and more seasoned), people who are not freelancers but might be thinking of taking the plunge, and very small business owners.


Though they are not the primary target, we might also see people interested in interacting with and understanding freelancers — but these will certainly be more on the sponsor/partner side of things.


My aim is to be practical (as much as possible in a conference format), even though everything might not be new for you if you've been freelancing for the last five years.


Your interest in the characteristics of the Web industry as an industry to freelance in is a good point. I'd also been thinking about including something along those lines.

]]> By: Ali http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15928 Ali Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:52:26 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15928 <p>I'm not sure how useful my opinion will be! I go to a local business breakfast meeting with other small businesses, and that is quite helpful. We are all from slightly different backgrounds and we talk about our issues and help solve each other's problems.</p> <p><br></p> <p>When i set up 5 years ago, I also did government-run courses on running your own business. All of those are pretty good for general information. My personal challenge right now is whether to continue being low-key, or take things to a different level, focusing more on developing an identity or brand, and finding more of the interesting assignments.</p> <p><br></p> <p>I think I'm particularly looking for insight into the internet/web 2.0 context, and how that might differ from other contexts. Personally, I'd also be looking for clear messages about what I would get out of the time and how I might use it to solve some of my own issues. Also, what type of people are coming and what opportunities there are to interact?</p> <p><br></p> <p>My worry right now is that it would be a bit basic and a bit generic; there's a book I read a while ago which was called 'Going Solo' which was good on general touchy-feely inspirations for freelancing, but quite poor on tips for putting things into practice. So, there you are. Brain dump. But I'm probably not typical...</p> I'm not sure how useful my opinion will be! I go to a local business breakfast meeting with other small businesses, and that is quite helpful. We are all from slightly different backgrounds and we talk about our issues and help solve each other's problems.


When i set up 5 years ago, I also did government-run courses on running your own business. All of those are pretty good for general information. My personal challenge right now is whether to continue being low-key, or take things to a different level, focusing more on developing an identity or brand, and finding more of the interesting assignments.


I think I'm particularly looking for insight into the internet/web 2.0 context, and how that might differ from other contexts. Personally, I'd also be looking for clear messages about what I would get out of the time and how I might use it to solve some of my own issues. Also, what type of people are coming and what opportunities there are to interact?


My worry right now is that it would be a bit basic and a bit generic; there's a book I read a while ago which was called 'Going Solo' which was good on general touchy-feely inspirations for freelancing, but quite poor on tips for putting things into practice. So, there you are. Brain dump. But I'm probably not typical…

]]> By: Ali http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15922 Ali Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:02:32 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15922 <p>Stephanie, one more thought: I may be typical of a certain type of freelancer, in that I freelance primarily because I have kids, and I have a small number of loyal clients. I may have been doing this for five years, but someone who's working full-time, full-on might have outstripped me in terms of genuine experience by the time they were doing it for a year!</p> <p>I see people like me as very typical of freelancers, but not very sexy as a group. I do think it's a stage thing, you go down a few gears for a year or two, and then you come back. Or indeed, reinvent yourself, all over again...</p> Stephanie, one more thought: I may be typical of a certain type of freelancer, in that I freelance primarily because I have kids, and I have a small number of loyal clients. I may have been doing this for five years, but someone who’s working full-time, full-on might have outstripped me in terms of genuine experience by the time they were doing it for a year!

I see people like me as very typical of freelancers, but not very sexy as a group. I do think it’s a stage thing, you go down a few gears for a year or two, and then you come back. Or indeed, reinvent yourself, all over again…

]]> By: Stephanie http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15921 Stephanie Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:43:57 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15921 <p>Thanks a lot, Ali, that was helpful. You know, nobody is typical, when you look closely. So it's useful for me to see some real personal needs/opinions expressed. It helps me understand my "audience" (ugh, don't like the word) better.</p> <p>The people who I imagine will be interested in coming to Going Solo are freelancers (fresh and more seasoned), people who are not freelancers but might be thinking of taking the plunge, and very small business owners.</p> <p>Though they are not the primary target, we might also see people interested in interacting with and understanding freelancers -- but these will certainly be more on the sponsor/partner side of things.</p> <p>My aim is to be practical (as much as possible in a conference format), even though everything might not be new for you if you've been freelancing for the last five years.</p> <p>Your interest in the characteristics of the Web industry as an industry to freelance in is a good point. I'd also been thinking about including something along those lines.</p> Thanks a lot, Ali, that was helpful. You know, nobody is typical, when you look closely. So it’s useful for me to see some real personal needs/opinions expressed. It helps me understand my “audience” (ugh, don’t like the word) better.

The people who I imagine will be interested in coming to Going Solo are freelancers (fresh and more seasoned), people who are not freelancers but might be thinking of taking the plunge, and very small business owners.

Though they are not the primary target, we might also see people interested in interacting with and understanding freelancers — but these will certainly be more on the sponsor/partner side of things.

My aim is to be practical (as much as possible in a conference format), even though everything might not be new for you if you’ve been freelancing for the last five years.

Your interest in the characteristics of the Web industry as an industry to freelance in is a good point. I’d also been thinking about including something along those lines.

]]> By: Stephanie http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15927 Stephanie Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:36:29 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15927 <p>Ali: could you tell us more about what you get out of a general business meet-up on freelancing, and what would make Going Solo more worthwhile than that? What's missing in the usual business meetings you've seen or been to?</p> Ali: could you tell us more about what you get out of a general business meet-up on freelancing, and what would make Going Solo more worthwhile than that? What's missing in the usual business meetings you've seen or been to?

]]> By: Ali http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15920 Ali Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:52:26 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15920 <p>I'm not sure how useful my opinion will be! I go to a local business breakfast meeting with other small businesses, and that is quite helpful. We are all from slightly different backgrounds and we talk about our issues and help solve each other's problems.</p> <p>When i set up 5 years ago, I also did government-run courses on running your own business. All of those are pretty good for general information. My personal challenge right now is whether to continue being low-key, or take things to a different level, focusing more on developing an identity or brand, and finding more of the interesting assignments.</p> <p>I think I'm particularly looking for insight into the internet/web 2.0 context, and how that might differ from other contexts. Personally, I'd also be looking for clear messages about what I would get out of the time and how I might use it to solve some of my own issues. Also, what type of people are coming and what opportunities there are to interact?</p> <p>My worry right now is that it would be a bit basic and a bit generic; there's a book I read a while ago which was called 'Going Solo' which was good on general touchy-feely inspirations for freelancing, but quite poor on tips for putting things into practice. So, there you are. Brain dump. But I'm probably not typical...</p> I’m not sure how useful my opinion will be! I go to a local business breakfast meeting with other small businesses, and that is quite helpful. We are all from slightly different backgrounds and we talk about our issues and help solve each other’s problems.

When i set up 5 years ago, I also did government-run courses on running your own business. All of those are pretty good for general information. My personal challenge right now is whether to continue being low-key, or take things to a different level, focusing more on developing an identity or brand, and finding more of the interesting assignments.

I think I’m particularly looking for insight into the internet/web 2.0 context, and how that might differ from other contexts. Personally, I’d also be looking for clear messages about what I would get out of the time and how I might use it to solve some of my own issues. Also, what type of people are coming and what opportunities there are to interact?

My worry right now is that it would be a bit basic and a bit generic; there’s a book I read a while ago which was called ‘Going Solo’ which was good on general touchy-feely inspirations for freelancing, but quite poor on tips for putting things into practice. So, there you are. Brain dump. But I’m probably not typical…

]]> By: Ali http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15926 Ali Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:10:42 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15926 <p>I'm really intrigued by your conference, and I think I fit the profile of people you're looking for, but right now I honestly don't know if it would be worth attending. I already freelance, so I've been through the start-up thing; I'm more concerned about where to go from here and how to get better.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In particular, I'm not seeing (yet) what would make this conference better than a general business meet-up on freelancing. It has to be much, much more worthwhile than something I can get in my own backyard, or I can't justify the travel, the hotel, the fees and all that. I'm hoping you'll show me...:)</p> I'm really intrigued by your conference, and I think I fit the profile of people you're looking for, but right now I honestly don't know if it would be worth attending. I already freelance, so I've been through the start-up thing; I'm more concerned about where to go from here and how to get better.


In particular, I'm not seeing (yet) what would make this conference better than a general business meet-up on freelancing. It has to be much, much more worthwhile than something I can get in my own backyard, or I can't justify the travel, the hotel, the fees and all that. I'm hoping you'll show me…:)

]]> By: Stephanie http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15919 Stephanie Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:36:29 +0000 http://climbtothestars.org/archives/2008/01/22/going-solo-venues-open-stage-and-link-love/#comment-15919 <p>Ali: could you tell us more about what you get out of a general business meet-up on freelancing, and what would make Going Solo more worthwhile than that? What's missing in the usual business meetings you've seen or been to?</p> Ali: could you tell us more about what you get out of a general business meet-up on freelancing, and what would make Going Solo more worthwhile than that? What’s missing in the usual business meetings you’ve seen or been to?

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