I, along with approximately 30 other freelancers, attended FreelanceCamp Des Moines this past Saturday at Foundry Coworking.
FreelanceCamp Des Moines was run by Freelance Pros, a local advocacy group supporting freelancers throughout the metro through education, networking opportunities and co-working projects. Sponsors included the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Dice.com, Kerber Technology Solutions, Metro Waste Authority and Kum & Go.
This was my first experience with BarCamp-style facilitation and I thought it was perfect for our group. Below are a few choice quotes I took away from the event:
“I don’t believe in lateral moves.” Nathan T. Wright, Lava Row on his job transitions
“10 blue links on a white background is your reputation.” Nathan T. Wright, Lava Row on the importance of appearing in a positive light on the first page of search results.
“Chance favors the connected.” Mike Wagner, White Rabbit Group
“If you don’t want to grow personally, don’t be a freelancer.” Mike Wagner, White Rabbit Group
“Freelancers don’t succeed in isolation.” and “Freelancing is not a solo sport.” Mike Wagner, White Rabbit Group on the importance of community
“Beta is better than perfect.” Mike Wagner, White Rabbit Group on not waiting for perfection before you launch
“Business plans can’t survive contact with the economy.” Mike Wagner, White Rabbit Group. Business plans in a vacuum, great; business plans in a constantly changing economic environment, for the birds. You need to continuously adapt to your marketplace to succeed
“What are the skills inside the skills?” Mike Wagner, White Rabbit Group. Realizing what you’re good at fundamentally will help you transition your service offering in an ever-changing economy.
Did you attend? What were your takeaways?
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Hi Suzanne! It was great to see you this weekend and I had fun at the event. Looking forward to more of these!
Thanks for the kind mentions and quotations.
It was an honor to be part of Freelance Camp with you and our community’s wonderful colleagues!
Keep creating…you’re great at it,
Mike
Hi Suzanne, you’re right it really was a great event!
I like the quotes you pulled. Some of those I heard, and others I’m only hearing second-hand…but the tidbits of knowledge from that workshop are going to live on for quite some time, I’m sure.
Nice summary, Suzanne. I made note of some of the same quotes from Mike Wagner. What a great speaker!
It was a great event to be a part of.
I wish I could have been there for the afternoon sessions, too.
I know Freelance Pros is planning on continuing these (annually?) And I’m sure they’ll just keep getting better.