Going 1099 is a book that teaches you how to become a solo federal sub-contractor and gain control of your working life, earn more money and unlock more free time. I wrote it because quite a few people have asked me how they can become a 1099. I figured it was best to write a single book that I can send them and that I can share with others who are interested. This newsletter goes out Monday - Friday and covers topics that will help you succeed in starting and maintaining successful 1099 career.
Where should you live to go 1099?
There are thousands of government contracting companies and billions of dollars flowing through contracts here.
If you want to be a solo 1099 federal sub-contractor, this is the best place to be.
But what if you don’t want to live in the DC area?
That’s totally okay, but you need to be aware of the tradeoffs.
You might have a smaller pool of government clients and projects to work on.
The need for your particular skills might be lower.
You might be competing with a labor pool that is less willing to switch jobs, leaving less of an opening for you to go 1099.
But if you have good client relationships in your area and an in-demand skill set, you can still become a 1099. It just might take a little more work.
It’d be like trying to being an investment banker outside of New York City, or becoming a movie star outside of Los Angeles.
You could do it; it’s just harder.
But don’t let the 1099 cart drive the horse. I think you should live where you want to live and then build a career or business that support that lifestyle choice.
I’m moving to Portland, OR and it will definitely be harder to grow my government contracting business.
But it’s worth it to me. And if eventually I have to find something else to do to live there? So be it.
If you’re going 1099 for the lifestyle, make sure you prioritize the lifestyle elements first.
If you're interested in learning how to get your first solo 1099 federal sub-contract, check out my book:
I'm Dale, the author of Going 1099
Going 1099 is a book that teaches you how to become a solo federal sub-contractor and gain control of your working life, earn more money and unlock more free time. I wrote it because quite a few people have asked me how they can become a 1099. I figured it was best to write a single book that I can send them and that I can share with others who are interested. This newsletter goes out Monday - Friday and covers topics that will help you succeed in starting and maintaining successful 1099 career.
Rocky was a 1099 If you're a decently skilled employee in the government contracting world, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to go 1099. The main differentiator I've seen between people who claim they want to go 1099 and the people that actually do it, are that the people who pull it off are just a little more aggressive (assuming they are equally skilled, in desirable fields, etc.). The successful ones "pester" their network a bit more, negotiate a bit harder, and push to go 1099 for...
Offering half a muffin can often be helpfulvia X When you're trying to go 1099, you're largely focused on what you want. Imagining getting what you want is highly energizing and motivating, so it's easy to focus our energies there. But it's important to focus on what you can do to help others. For example, when you network with people, see if there are ways you can assist them. Maybe they have a friend looking for a job in your field, and you can meet them for coffee and make an introduction...
Treat Yo Self ... to non-billable funvia Reddit One of the fun parts about going 1099 is find opportunities to increase your billable rate. My own billable rate progress sent from something like $85 -> $100 -> $110 -> $115 -> $160 ->$180 per hour over an eight year period. Those early rate increases made a big differences. Actually all of them made a big financial difference. But the thrill of bumping up your rate wears off quickly, and then you're left with figuring out how to make your work...