Comments for Portfolio and blog of North East, UK based website designer and developer Lee Simpson.

Comment on Know your place: Where do you fit in as a freelancer? by David Coxon

David Coxon — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:49:44 +0000

Excellent post lee, i think that you have got it spot on! From the other side of the fence there is also a lot that studio managers can and should be doing do to make freelancers feel welcome and to make their teams feel at ease with having freelancers in the office. After all freelancers are there to help and they perform an essential role for many small businesses.

Nb. The biscuits think works in many situations, i often take biscuits along to project meetings.

Comment on Know your place: Where do you fit in as a freelancer? by @alexanderhorre

@alexanderhorre — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:32:56 +0000

It’s the worst thing ever when you walk into kitchen and someone else used up the last of the coffee.

Comment on Know your place: Where do you fit in as a freelancer? by coldclimate

coldclimate — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:59:10 +0000

The tea and biscuits is seriously good advice. My old team hated with a passion the £600 a day freelancer who we all know used our coffee but flatly refused to chips in.

Comment on It’s all about the networking by Becky

Becky — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:51:15 +0000

Codworks Connect looks really helpful. I am going to have to check it out. Thanks.

Comment on It’s all about the networking by Lee

Lee — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:31:08 +0000

@Becky – Thanks. Thats why I like Codworks Connect it feels a bit more friendly and fluid. BNI on the other hand is just like hearing business pitch after a business pitch.

Comment on It’s all about the networking by Becky

Becky — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:05:53 +0000

Great post! I also have to say that I agree with coldclimate… I can’t stand it when I feel like someone is having a fake conversation with me just to make a sale. I think that is why face-to-face networking has always been a little difficult for me… I didn’t want to come off fake. I recently had the opportunity of reading Dr. Ivan Misner’s latest book, “Networking Like a Pro: Turning Contacts Into Connections” because it is full of a lot of great networking techniques (including face-to-face) that are natural and result in success.

Comment on It’s all about the networking by Lee

Lee — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:11:00 +0000

@Neill – Awesome point. I don’t think networking ever stops being a good idea. The same goes for me also, I’ve met all sorts of people through different events and networks. Thanks!

Comment on It’s all about the networking by Neill Watson

Neill Watson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:04:55 +0000

And the most important thing – once your networking efforts start to pay off, don’t stop. In fact, never stop.
I love entering a room of people, or going somewhere a bit different, as you can never tell who you’ll meet next and where that contact will take you. I could write a small book about the way strange contacts have played out over the years!
Nice post, Lee

Comment on It’s all about the networking by Lee

Lee — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:45:39 +0000

@Andy - I kind of agree but I think for freelancers starting out £70 (or £30 for one person) could be a fair bit of their monthly budget. Plus if you're new to the game converting that to £10k might be a struggle. I do take your point that its "important to find the right group for your particular business" and if that costs then so be it, but I would say if you can't afford it, its not worth the gamble. On "What’s the point of being a member of a free group full of people that won’t or can’t buy your product?" I couldn't agree more. If its not right, get out. @Oli - Thanks!

Comment on It’s all about the networking by coldclimate

coldclimate — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:34:39 +0000

“Don’t try to pitch everyone you meet”

Very very wise words. Nothing puts me off more.