I’ve slightly dreaded starting a new freelance contract. We’ve got so much to work on with byFlock and in a way it’s a little disheartening that I’m not able to just work on our products but instead have to do other work to pay the bills.
But, such lies the land right now and actually, the freelance work I started today, I’m really excited about it. I’ve written before about how I don’t believe in freelancing and that still holds true. In it’s traditional “in-and-out” sense it’s not for me, but this one, over at Leo Burnett, is as close to how I believe freelancing should be.
How I heard about it
I was contacted before I left the BBC by an old colleague of mine from Dare, saying that they had a project that would be great to work together on. I’d be working with her and another old colleague and they both happen to be amongst the best two people I’ve ever worked with and that in itself was a strong enough reason to find out more and to see if timings would fit. It seemed they did, only I was off to Austin the day after and couldn’t come in so we scheduled a call for when I had arrived over in Texas.
The interview
It was amongst the loveliest “interviews” I’ve ever had. The team sounded so enthusiastic about the project as well as potentially having me on board and one of my old colleagues were on it saying how it was just my kind of project. It wasn’t just about me proving that I was the right person for the job, but also about them selling the project to me. The fact that I’d worked with two of the people in the team before meant that there was a trust that I would be a good fit, but also that I could trust them that it would be right one for me.
The team
I got a great impression of the team on that call and this morning I was briefed by one of my old colleagues. It was brilliant. It was just like the good old days. We’ll be working closely together and with the other old colleague as well and as I’ve missed them I’m very pleased about this. But, also about the team who seems great, friendly and very open. I’m really looking forward to getting to know them and as with any new introduction, I love the fact that right now I don’t know them, but soon I will.
How I’ve been treated
Just as on the call I had that morning over in Austin, I’ve been made to feel welcome ever since. Everything has been in order for me to get started, there’s been frequent conversation and not the least, the people that I’ve met today in the office have been lovely and helpful. It makes all the difference.
The involvement we’ve talked about
How this will pan out is yet to be seen, but the initial conversations is not one of “Do-your-deliverables-and-then-thank-you-very-much-Contract-ends.” but rather the contrary. It’s a great start and I’m looking forward to getting properly stuck in and see how we can make this work.
In summary, this is a project that I’m really excited about and right now, when there are projects of our own, that is really important. If not it would have been disheartening to spend the day working on something I didn’t want to do. Thankfully, that is not the case.
Tomorrow – Day 081 | A pinch of fear mixed with a pinch of excitement
Image source: www.flickr.com/photos/clickflashphotos/3450592233
