The Pluses and Perils of Pioneering

by Rico on September 18th, 2007

I recently chatted with a friend who recently signed a contract with a local corporation. Now, the Philippines isn’t exactly the US or South Korea in terms of connectivity, so this is the first venture of my friend’s client into the online world. My friend finds herself in a pioneering position, the result of her finding a need and creating a way to fulfill it. This has its benefits and challenges.

The First Mover Advantage

Much has been said about the first mover advantage. Whoever becomes known as the first supplier of a high-demand service will become the first authority on the subject. Potentially, an entirely new industry could spring up from your efforts. Others will figuratively or literally hang on your every word as you relate your formula for success. It’s very easy to exploit this status and generate even more interest for your services.

For instance, suppose a freelancer who becomes known as someone who can help traditional corporations establish an online presence (through SEO, web design, corporate blogs, online retailer portals, etc.). They will enjoy the attention of other companies looking to ride the bandwagon, as well as the interest of other freelancers who want to tap this lucrative avenue.

Representing Other Freelancers

But being a first mover also carries its set of responsibilities. By establishing yourself as the first authority for a new approach, you represent fellow freelancers in a certain sense. The future impression clients will have of fellow freelancers depends on how you carry yourself, from the negotiation phase to the delivery of the project output.

In other words, if you manage to negotiate a high price for your new kind of service, you can bet that companies will use that as a gauge. It’s important not to sell yourself short, because that also means you’ll also sell other freelancers short. Make sure you get a price that justifies the time and work you’ll invest on the first project, and other contract workers will reap the benefits.

It’s also important to maintain professionalism and submit everything on time and to spec. Failure to do so will reflect not only on yourself, but on freelancing in general. You may actually delay companies’s willingness to employ contract work, if they’re afraid that freelancers can’t deliver as promised.

There’s a lot to be happy about if you find yourself one of the first freelancers to provide a certain service in your area or to a particular client market. You can maximize your pioneering spirit to increase your profile as a freelancer, and generate more inquiries. At the same time, you shoulder a greater responsibility: the opportunities other freelancers will enjoy may very well depend on how well your pilot project turns out.

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