Going Solo

There were about 20 of us yesterday at SoloCamp Leeds, for a day full of fascinating conversations about the topics we cared about as freelancers. Great format, great people.

We started the Going Solo Wiki to share notes from the day. I hope that we’ll see this wiki grow into a real community ressource around Going Solo and SoloCamp.

I took some photos. Here are two to give you a feel of the day. First the general setting, relaxed and interactive:

And the big sprawling mind-map which grew out of the discussion about finance facilitated by Dennis Howlett (it was followed by three more big sprawling mind-maps as the day went by):

More on the Going Solo Wiki! Head over to see what we’ve already done, and if you have an itch to contribute, please do not hold yourself back. It’s everybody’s wiki!

I’m always glad to learn that Going Solo inspired others to put something together to help local freelancers learn from each other. Flying Solo (in addition to being a book on going solo which the authors kindly sent to me to read) is a one-day unconference for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers which is taking place in South Africa.

• Cape Town: Saturday 26 July 2008, 9.30am – 5pm at the Wild Fig restaurant, Observatory
• Johannesburg: Saturday 2 August 2008, 9.30am – 5pm, venue TBA

If you’re in that part of the world, visit the Flying Solo SA wiki and take part! There is also an online community on Ning.

You might remember that quite a few weeks ago, I mentioned I wanted to set up a referral programme. Well, unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated to implement than I thought so at first.

Still, I wanted to find a way to give something back to those of you who sign up with a friend or two, specially now that the Early Bird deadline is past. So… introducing the “Bring a Friend” discount scheme:

• sign up at the same time as 1 friend: you both get 10% off
• sign up at the same time as 2 friends: you all get 15% off

Of course, if you are somebody with lots of freelance friends, or are feeling like a superconnector, you can bring more friends, and we’ll reward you all accordingly (5% additional off per extra person, for a maximum group size of 5 people: 25% off!)

Here’s how it works:

• decide to come to Going Solo
• convince a friend or two (or more!) to come with you
• e-mail steph at going-solo dot net with the names of the people who are coming
• I’ll e-mail you back with a discount code
• each person registers within 48 hours with the discount code
• you’re happy bunnies, because you’ll be attending Going Solo together, and got a discount!

Now, how do you find a friend to come with you? Because we like you — and also because it’s in our interest! — here are some tips you may find handy:

• tell the people you know about Going Solo, even if they aren’t freelancers: they might have friends who are!
• remind your freelance friends they will walk out of Going Solo with things in their heads which will help them be more successful and earn more money (that’s the point, isn’t it?)
• write a blog post inviting interested readers or passers-by to get in touch with you so you all benefit from the discount
• point people to the great sessions and extraordinary speakers who will be there on the 16th
• plan to stay in Lausanne for the week-end with your friends — how about a day off by the beautiful lake?
• use the Going Solo poster to print Moo cards and distribute them everywhere you go (that’s what I do!)
• if all else fails, you might want to consider blackmail or coercion — but we here at Going Solo will deny ever having suggested anything like that.

I’m looking forward to receiving the first e-mails from smart people who want to take advantage of this discount!