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<span class="basic_member_name">Sean Canton</span>
Sean Canton
Technology Consultant, Multimedia Producer
Portland, Oregon
Biztalk » Introduce your bad indie self »
Posted by Sean Canton, Portland, Oregon | May 05, 2008

Subscribe to Introduce your bad indie self Hi, I want to move to Seattle and work...

I've been doing media production and internet development for many, many years (8). I've worked freelance before, enjoyed it immensely, and want to get back to working for myself, maybe with some help this time!

I recognize now that my main hindrance was the ability to recruit clients. I've got much experience in a diverse number of areas, so for purposes of self-branding, it's been a difficult journey, as it's hard to tell people what I can do, when I can do so much. I could fill an elevator pitch with the different job titles I've had.

Now that I work full-time, the problem is time, and energy. I hesitate to take on anything more than a 10 hour a week commitment, making the development of my business very slow indeed.

I want to move to Seattle because I was born there, and it seems to be a center for creative, technical folks like me. I live in Portland right now, so I'm almost there. I guess what I enjoyed the most about working for myself was the constant growth which came with the territory. Every job I've had has about a 6 month learning curve, then everything is pretty much routine.

Plus, I love the idea of re-investing my profits into my business, taking the revenues and turning them into more equipment, training and people, leading to more services and sustainable growth.

Anyways, I'm happy to have found biznik and I look forward to knowing and eventually meeting many of you.

4 Bizniks have posted replies

  • Vicki Elam
    Posted by Vicki Elam, Klamath Falls, Oregon | May 06, 2008

    Hi Sean, welcome to the Biznik community! I'm fairly new here myself and its been a wonderful venture so far. Great people, awesome articles and advice. I love Portland and visit there as often as I can.

    Enjoy!

    Vicki

  • Helen Martin
    Posted by Helen Martin, Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Washington | May 06, 2008

    Welcome Sean, I've been with Biznik a few months and love the Biznik community. I've met some great people to refer business to as well as people I can call friends.

    I agree with Vicki that there are some great articles that would help you. A company like Simply Placed can help you with time management and productivity; there are people who give classes on your USP (unique selling proposition) and the classes the Biznik owners teach are very helpful in positioning yourself as an expert on Biznik as well as SEO on Google.

    Kristen with Affirmagy just wrote a great article on Mastermind groups. This may be something you could look into online with some business owners in Seattle which would give you a good base when you moe here.

    If you really want to move to Seattle, I recommend that you set a goal date and write down all the tasks you need to accomplish to reach it.

    Cheers!

    Helen

    Green Designated Realtor Seattle
  • Amy Woidtke (woid-key)
    Posted by Amy Woidtke (woid-key), Seattle, Washington | May 06, 2008

    Congrats Sean on your success and welcome to Biznik!

    Another great way to start promoting yourself and networking is to host (or co-host) a happy hour! For as long as your event is posted in the events section, your profile is front and center on the events page where it's listed! I got SO many hits the time I hosted.

    And yes, writing articles is another great way. And a USP workshop which I HOPE Beth and Chris will do again for others.

    Being in a market that can have some competition, it's impt to niche yourself out so people see why chose you and not any other person. Niching can be scary - and fruitful once you do it!

    I am in between here and Portland periodically. I still don't have a good place in Portland to host happy hour so if you know of somewhere, let me know.

    Perhaps we can co-host sometime if you feel shy about getting your feet wet!

    cheers, amy

    Helping you attract and keep love and success!
  • Sean Canton
    Posted by Sean Canton, Portland, Oregon | May 06, 2008

    Wow, thanks all for the warm welcome! I love the mastermind idea, because that's something I can work on remotely. When I get in town, I'll look into the happy hours. I do love to write. I suspect you'll see some articles from me, someday. That's the problem with the shotgun approach I've taken thus far, building a niche that I enjoy and won't get bored in is tough. Specialize + Diversify.

This forum is unmoderated, but please keep discussion courteous and not too far off topic.

Members posting in this topic

  • Vicki Elam
    Vicki Elam
    Local Business Networking, Business Consultant
    Klamath Falls, Oregon
  • Helen Martin
    Helen Martin
    Green Certified Realtor, Referrer
    Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Washington
  • Amy Woidtke (woid-key)
    Amy Woidtke (woid-key)
    interior decorator|space therapist: Seattle, Bellevue...
    Seattle, Washington
  • Sean Canton
    Sean Canton
    Technology Consultant, Multimedia Producer
    Portland, Oregon

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