As we’ve mentioned previously, things have been going really well for us since the beginning of the year. New jobs are coming in, and we’re figuring out what kind of division of labor is going to work the best for us. There are ups and downs, of course, but I think the “downs” make the “ups” all that much sweeter. (The PayPal deposits don’t hurt either!)
We’ve been a little surprised to discover that suddenly people are asking us for work. I think some of it must be people following through on their New Year’s resolutions. I’m betting plenty of us have “find more freelancing jobs” prominently posted on our lists of things to do this year. Part of the reason is probably also because our web site describes us as a network of writers from all over the country, and who wouldn’t want to be part of the awesome Berry-Brewer Freelance Agency network? 
Tamara and I recently shared some of our own freelancing goals for the upcoming year, and one of those is to do a little more subcontracting for other writers. (ETA: By “subcontracting for other writers,” I mean that the other writer finds, contracts, and communicates with the client, and then that writer hires us to do the actual writing.) While we love, love, love developing our own client base, we realize that things are going to get a little trickier in the next couple of weeks due to the impending birth of the Brewer-to-Be. We’re certainly not dropping any clients, and we are still accepting new folks to the roster, but we feel like it’s a good time to take off some of the pressure. Hopefully, we’ve been able to help some of our freelancing friends, as well, by taking some of the load off of them, too.
At first, we were kind of resistant to the whole subcontracting thing because it seemed somehow “less than,” if that makes any sense. We read a lot of freelancing blogs (as I imagine you do), and there are always conversations happening about how the freelancer has to be the marketer, the salesperson, the accountant, etc. If we took off one of the constantly-discussed “hats,” would we still be real freelancers?
What we didn’t realize at the beginning is that lots of freelancers subcontract one another. It took a few months of poking around and even having people come flat-out and tell us that subcontracting is a normal part of this business before we “got” it. It really did require us to step out of our comfort zone quite a bit, but we both feel that we’ve gained from the experience in a couple of ways:
- As all those aforementioned (did I just use that word?) discussions prove, freelancers often spend much of their working hours doing everything but practicing their actual craft. Subcontracting has allowed us to spend more time writing because we need to devote less of it to job searching.
- Freelancing can be somewhat isolating. By working with others in our field, we’ve been able to grow our business network and have some great interaction with people who enjoy the same things we do.
- It’s a great learning experience. We get to learn even more about freelancing by observing how others do their jobs.
We have a few unwritten (well, I suppose they were unwritten until right now) guidelines that we follow for subcontracting.
- We politely let other writers know that we are available and then leave it at that. We are not pushy.
- Other people’s clients are other people’s clients. We never enquire as to who the client is or where they came from, unless it’s in regards to the writing. For example, a client from the U.K. will need us to use British English.
- We are willing to accept a somewhat lower rate for subcontracted work because it is generally the other writer’s job to find the client and engage in all the negotiations and communication. Still, we do have a limit on how low we’re willing to go on price.
So, have you ever subcontracted work from another freelancer, and how did you feel about it? Like I said, we had our qualms at first, but it seems to have worked out quite well so far. It’s certainly not the end goal for our business, as our plan is to eventually be employing other writers with jobs that provide benefits and everything. On the other hand, it has been quite enjoyable, and we’ve been able to build some great relationships. (We’re open to building more, too – hint, hint!)
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I frequently subcontract for others. In fact, it’s my goal to get at least five strong subcontracting relationships this year. The key challenge to subcontracting is being willing to take 25 -30% less money than you could charge directly to the cient. But the way I figure it, it’s well worth it because you don’t have as much up front costs.
Hi guys: You said “freelancers often spend much of their working hours doing everything but practicing their actual craft. Subcontracting has allowed us to spend more time writing because we need to devote less of it to job searching”–
This is the exact reason why I DON’T subcontract anymore (barring emergencies). This adds one more layer to your admin tasks. Finding subs, choosing a sub, approaching the sub, assigning the work, monitoring the work, receiving the work, checking and editing the work, etc…
I’ve JUST learned my fine balance and figured out what I can take on without going bonkers. If I can’t handle it, I don’t apply. If I’m too busy when others approach me, I give them the option of moving their dates or finding someone else.
That’s just my case. Your case, with the pregnancy and all, is pretty normal I would assume.
oops, sorry, my perspective is from subbing OUT work, not taking ON work.
Peggy - You’re right, it is tricky to take a lower pay; but when you really think about it, you’ve saved yourself a lot of time you weren’t technically being paid for in the first place.
Allena - I went back and added a little parenthetical about what we mean by subcontracting for other writers, so hopefully no one else will get too confused!
As the manager of a writing team, I know much about everything you’ve mentioned up there. The pros, the cons, the benefits, the drawbacks…
I do agree with Allena. It’s very difficult to be writer *and* manager, which is why Harry and I decided who had the strengths that leaned in that direction and who had strengths that leaned other ways. Each of us make the business stronger as individuals, not as a team. As individuals who work for a common goal, we become a team - and yet are distinct in our function, duties and purposes.
Sure, some stuff overlaps. We back each other up. But we can’t be both Duke and Lord at the same time. (I’d like to be King, but that’s a different story.)
So, certainly, dip your toes in the world of becoming an agency. Figure out how you’ll work the whole scheme. Then scrap that idea and start over, because I guarantee it won’t work. Decide how much time will be spent on the management of other writers and the management of your business and the management of your own writing.
It may end up being a great learning experience, and it may be a great success, but it may also not be for you. (not you specific, you general)
Running a team is tough stuff.
@ Allena -
James - running a team of writers is definitely something we’re interested in doing . . . down the road. I love organizing and scheduling and all of that stuff. I find it incredibly fun, actually. BUT, it’s not something I’m ready to jump into right now. Honestly, it’s not something that we really need to think about too much just yet, as we’ve sort of set our course for the next several months and are quite content to follow our current plan for growing in different ways.
I have done a lot of subcontracted work, in fact, the majority of my writing work comes from subcontracts.
I suppose you could chock it up to being lazy, but I would rather take the lower pay (which still goes a long way here in Guatemala) and use the time not spent looking for clients on other projects, like building my blogs.
I have recently started sub-contracting. I had the same doubts at first, but quickly realized that finding clients, communicating with them, and working out details takes a lot of time. So, why not share the work with other writers, or people who are excellent at marketing and account management?
Plus, one of the things I miss about having a regular job is being part of a team, and sub-contracting is a way to be a team member again. As long as I feel my wage is fair and my work is valued, I’m totally game for trying out different work relationships and business models. I’m also happy to report that I’ve been very pleased so far!
Interesting. I haven’t ever even considered sub-contracting before. I thought about hiring a personal assistance on Elance and assigning them to bid like crazy for work all day…but I haven’t gone through with that (or checked to see if that’s okay with Elance).
Nonetheless, this is something I need to check out…
I will give a word of warning: Always advise clients that you are subcontracting.
Interesting articles and comments as always– James, Melissa and Berry-Brewer’s comments did make me think about some of the benefits of a partnership: someone to back you up, division of labor, etc.
HOLD THE PHONE someone is writing from Guatemala? I did an alternative spring break in Tacun Hamen (?northern border) years ago.
@ Allena - Make no mistake that partnerships are *tough* and most fail. I think Lorna and Tamara can attest to how difficult managing a partnership can be. Harry and I certainly can.
Benefits? Definitely. Very, very good ones, too. Drawbacks? Oh yeah.
I think a partnership is similar to a marriage and the business is your kid. You’d better be ready and willing to enjoy the good times together, make the relationship work when you hit conflict, and put your all into growing your business to be the best it can be despite your differences.
I WISH I was busy enough to send work your way, ladies
In the meantime, if you do find yourself with more writing than you can handle, you know where to look..
Interesting post!
‘I think a partnership is similar to a marriage and the business is your kid’
cute. theres a interesting blog post in the pros & cons of an LLP