I wish there was a simple backchannel we could all use to find out how web shops (/ freelancers) are doing. It seems like the question can’t be asked without stepping on an ego, so it typically goes unasked or unanswered (truthfully.)
The reason for the thought is that demand is extremely difficult to predict when the market’s distracted, and short forecasts can play nasty tricks on new businesses (i.e., anyone in the web industry.)
It seems like you could extend your forecasting by watching wider trends in the industry rather than watching your inbox for inquiries. It also seems like referrals would be easier to make if you knew who *needed* the work.
That last assumption (the one about referrals) touches on something that’s almost always in my head. If you could trace a group of 20 or so cohorts (that you knew did good work,) you could effectively commit to smoothing out potential rough spots for for each other. There will be times you have too much work. And they will correspond with times others need it.
But egos get in the way. I’ve always thought people waste a lot of energy imagining themselves competing against like shops. And I’ve probably been guilty of the same. Nobody gains.
5 Responses to “Backchannel”
You and I don’t have this problem.
@Deane – clearly not.
Interesting idea Aaron. While building a solution would be a simple and fun (nerd alert) task, I still think ego would get in the way of it being used as intended… Might be fun to do anyhow…
We should form a union: United Personhood of Web Workers.
I have always felt people spend too much time competing on a personal level than competing against the game. If the game has size and you are a top player, there should be ample size for everyone.
Interesting development in our business – PPC marketing. It is only shared by a very small group as most are too greedy, do not see the big picture, or are just afraid of trusting anyone (that may be the primary), or have never seen sizable success to be able to handle the massive swings…team with other guys (say 3), share each others programs that are making money and have a gentleman’s agreement to now get the #1-#3 listings (one each in arranged order). At least now you know who you are competing against (working with) and costs can better be aligned as well. Cuts research, testing and click costs for all and the group gets more pie – cash pie in this case.
I can tell you this right now in our business, the swings are more massive than I have ever seen. We have $10,000 revenue days that can swing to $3,000 the next day. Same on the flip side. And since July 2008, we have lost at least 8 – $100,000 a year campaigns (2 over $500,000 each) only to replace and lose some again. Each day I am optimistic yet have a 3 minute “what could have been” moment – is that greed, successful desires, or just normal anymore. I think 2010 will tell.