The Next Web

Going Solo: Tech freelancers gather in Switzerland next month

Written on May 2, 2008 – 3:43 pm
Ernst-Jan Pfauth, editor in chief

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I don’t know about your countries’ society, yet I think you might notice the same development: more people start their own business. Several factors stimulate tech and new media professionals to quit their jobs and start an entrepreneurial adventure, some examples:

• personal branding has never been easier, just start a blog and work on your social media magic.
• hobbies get out of hand. When Dutch marketing consultant Marco Derksen started his blog Marketingfacts, he probably didn’t realize it would turn into a business. I’m sure you can name an example from your own country.
• the start-up culture sparks up a fire. Pioneers like Kevin Rose inspire thousands of young ambitious guys.
• You don’t have to be ashamed. Being an entrepreneur wasn’t really prestigious. Yet now universities and schools stimulate their students to start a business after they’ve graduated.

From my personal experience I can tell that being a freelancer isn’t always easy, especially in the beginning. What should I charge? How do I plan my days? Where can I find like-minded people? (on blogs!)

Co-editor Boris, Stowe Boyd & yours truly

That’s why The Next Web partnered up with Going Solo, a one-day educational conference for freelancers and small-business owners in the media, tech, design, and publishing industries. It will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland on May 16th. Organizer Stephanie Booth told me she means to inspire as well as educate the entrepreneurial crowd. Confirmed speakers include Stowe - the man with the Kangoo hat - Boyd, social media consultant Suw Charman-Anderson, and presentations consultant Laura Fitton.

So if you’ve started a business of your own - or planning on it - you might consider traveling to Lausanne. If you do so, have a look at Stephanie’s discount offer and drop me a line - as I’ll be there as well.

conference, freelance, freelancers, goingsolo, Lausanne, Switzerland

About the author: Ernst-Jan is a blogger and journalist, who previously worked in New York to cover news at the United Nations. Next to writing, he's also a singer in the band Christina Five.

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