Calling all freelancers, part-timers, and former i-bankers!

Hey, I was thinking about how I always have freelancey questions and you guys always answer them, and how there are so many freelancers in the Slope (and other neighborhoods) and how they probably have information that would be useful to each other, and wouldn't it be neat to start a website or something as a resource for all?

I have more specific ideas than that, but rather than ramble more right here, I'm just wondering - anyone interested in collaborating on such a project, in a loose sort of brainstormy, non-committal way and/or beyond?

Feel free to PM.

The freelancers union is a good resource for that, and there are several freelance meetup groups on meetup.com. Maybe you should start one in the park slope area?

I would absolutely be interested in a local social/networking group devoted to those of us with "non trad" type jobs. I don't technically freelance anymore but I am a 95% telecommute employee (esp now that the economy blows, i dont think I'll be traveling for a while) and I'd love a way to network/get new business ideas/generally get out of the house. For reference, most of those freelance groups on meetup are super inactive (i've showed for two events and NO ONE else showed.)
As far as my level of ability to contribute to this project, it's probably low. I did freelance and have a lot of uninsured/underinsured/"artist" friends so I've kind of learned my way around the healthcare system but beyond that I'm not so useful!

What kind of freelancing? Graphic artist? Computer Programmer? Psychologist? Writer?

All kinds. I'm a writer. Journalist. With artistic aspirations.

Why the fuck would an i-banker, past or present, or any respectable financier have anything to do with this?

Freelancing? That's like an even less prestigious form of consulting.

Disgusting

Comfortably Smug wrote: Why the fuck would an i-banker, past or present, or any respectable financier have anything to do with this?

Freelancing? That's like an even less prestigious form of consulting.

Disgusting

Given the current economy, I think a lot of the underemployed will jump at the chance to "wave their peckers" like the good old days. It's hard to go from hedge funds to cutting hedges.

Whats the difference between a i=banker and a real banker? An i=banker goes around with both hands on his dick.

Carmen wrote: I would absolutely be interested in a local social/networking group devoted to those of us with "non trad" type jobs. I don't technically freelance anymore but I am a 95% telecommute employee (esp now that the economy blows, i dont think I'll be traveling for a while) and I'd love a way to network/get new business ideas/generally get out of the house. For reference, most of those freelance groups on meetup are super inactive (i've showed for two events and NO ONE else showed.)
As far as my level of ability to contribute to this project, it's probably low. I did freelance and have a lot of uninsured/underinsured/"artist" friends so I've kind of learned my way around the healthcare system but beyond that I'm not so useful!

Its true, meetup.com tends to be flakers paradise, but they do have some good organizing tools.

I'm interested in hearing what ideas you have. I wonder if the mods would be open to some sort of freelancing/small business forum on this site, considering there is a high volume of freelancers/self employed folks in the area.

Comfortably Smug wrote: Why the fuck would an i-banker, past or present, or any respectable financier have anything to do with this?

Freelancing? That's like an even less prestigious form of consulting.

Disgusting

Hey, I'm a consultant. Don't hate because we get paid more for our highly specialized work skills...


For the record, I work in the tech field (functional software consultant.)

I'd be interested in this, too. I freelance part-time and telecommute full-time AND just moved here, so I'm always happy for an opportunity to leave the house and talk to real, live human beings.

Consultants get paid more than financiers? That's news to me.

And before you third estate groundlings start your schadenfreude infused uproar...

http://dealbreaker.com/2008/10/layoffs-watch-08-barclehs-1.php

Eat it IT consultants

Ah yes, it is sweet to be on the buyside during all of this. Still absolutely killing it.

Whoa, whoa, I just mentioned former i-bankers because there seem to be a lot of them floating around these days. Didn't mean to insult you. But to the extent that I have any control over this proposal, I am now officially uninviting i-bankers, or at least those who share Comfortable Smug's comfort with smugness. (And comfort with slinging insults at well meaning fellow citizens). You can form your own group. Apparently there will be lots of penises waving around.

Cabaki, I like how you think. I had considered asking mods about starting something like that on this board as well.

...Mods? Any of you guys reading this? Thoughts?

lnelson wrote: Whoa, whoa, I just mentioned former i-bankers because there seem to be a lot of them floating around these days. Didn't mean to insult you. But to the extent that I have any control over this proposal, I am now officially uninviting i-bankers, or at least those who share Comfortable Smug's comfort with smugness. (And comfort with slinging insults at well meaning fellow citizens). You can form your own group. Apparently there will be lots of penises waving around.

Cabaki, I like how you think. I had considered asking mods about starting something like that on this board as well.

...Mods? Any of you guys reading this? Thoughts?

Thanks lnelson, I'm always in favor of meeting up with other folks in the hood to satisfy my need for human interaction. Somehow just chatting on this board doesn't do it for me. If the mods dont notice this in the next few days, lets add a topic suggesting this new forum in the Ask Brooklynian section.